In their first match up in the 2009 WBC, USA takes on USA Jr. at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. USA will be out for blood after an embarrassing 8-6 defeat at the hands of our neighbors to the north. This upset was one of the reasons that the US failed to qualify for the semi-finals in 2006. Those results better be different this year as the USA team has as much talent as any team in the tournament.

The starting pitchers today will be Mike Johnson for Canada and Jake Peavy for the US. I don”t know much about Mike Johnson, only that when I googled him, the first athlete to come up was Michael Johnson, the sprinter, followed by Mike Johnson, a hockey player. The third athlete was the pitcher Mike Johnson, whose career record (Ed. note: that Mike Johnson pitched in 1974, so I don’t think it’s the same guy) I can’t find. I’m hoping the powerhouse lineup for the USA can get to this guy often and early. The USA roster can be found here and the Canadian roster here. My one concern is that the USA has slated the right-hand throwing Peavy to face Canada’s lefty heavy lineup. I don’t blame the manager, the US team doesn’t have much left hand starting pitching. Their pitching overall looks a little weak. Where is Lincecum, Webb or Cliff Lee?

One nice thing about the WBC this year is that you can scout for your fantasy team. I like it because there is no need to look up stats and projections, simply give it the eyeball test. For instance, I saw Tejada hit a home run earlier. You might want to draft him. Also, Edinson Volquez didn’t look so hot so probably shouldn’t draft him. Sidney Ponson had a solid outing so you best believe I’ll be looking to scoop him up late in my draft.

Awful Announcing says that we’ll be getting Dave O’Brien and Rick Sutcliffe in the booth. Sutcliffe is alright, but he’s no Joe Morgan. Why wouldn’t you get Jon Miller and Joe Morgan for such an important game like this? Come on ESPN, get your shit together. At least put Erin Andrews in the stands, or is her restraining order against Dave O’Brien still valid? Live blog after the jump:

1:58: Crazy stolen base attempt in the top of the 9th in the Ned/Dom. game. Fernanado Tatis interfered with the runner that was dead to rights. Nice replacement DR.

2:00: Bottom of the 9th coming up. Do the Netherlands have a shut down closer?

2:02: The baseball game is starting on ESPN Classic while Michigan and Minnesota finish up on ESPN.

2:05: Minnesota’s attempt at tying the game was pretty pathetic. 67-64, Michigan wins.

2:08: I didn’t know Russell Martin was Canadian. Is Turtle Canadian?

2:08: First pitch strike. Peavy looks intense!!!!

2:11: Peavy k’s the first batter. Does anyone know if you can make a backwards k on the computer?

2:12: Netherland upsets the DR 3-2. All 3 runs unearned for the Netherlands.

2:13: Russell J. Martin scores the first run of the game for Canada. Come on Youk. Fetch, what is the J. for?

2:15: There is tons of good college basketball on. Go Marquette!!

2:17: Matt Stairs swinging for the fences, per his biography.

2:19: Peavy strikes out Teahan for the third out. 1 in, and bases left loaded. That doesn’t happen again, mmmkay?

2:23: Jeter with a double down the RF line. Nice piece of hitting. Larry Wayne Jr. with a duck on the pond.

2:25: Does LWJ Jr. make it to the ASB before his body falls apart this season?

2:26: This crowd seems pretty loud for a non-hockey event. Damn you Larry.

2:28: Sutcliffe has a total hard on for Russell Martin.

2:30: Back to back strikeouts looking for Jones and Wright. That’s unacceptable.

2:34: Just checked the beer situation in the fridge. Couple Diesel’s, some Miller Chill and a Corona. No good choices in that group.

2:35: 123 second inning for Peavy with 3 ground balls. Sutcliffe said the outfield wasn’t important when Peavy is pitching. He might be on to something.

2:40: I wouldn’t have been surprised one bit if Youk was Canadian. Or born on a pirate ship.

2:41: 2 on, no outs for the USA. Color me excited.

2:42: Damn it Braun. Great effort by Dunn to take out that 2B. I would not want Dunn charging at me like that.

2:45: Put it on the board. Youk scores the first run for USA. McCann with a nice sac fly. Braun over to third on a hit by the Flyin’ Hawaiian.

2:47: USA evens it up in the second. So far, the National League is dominating.

2:51: Russell Martin is a momma’s boy.

2:52: Fuck. Joey Votto with a bomb to take the lead. Sutcliffe is right, you don’t need the OF when Peavy’s on the mound. Dunn didn’t even move.

2:56: Peavy probably won’t pitch more than 50 pitches according to O’Brien. I’m not sure how I feel about the pitch counts but the sooner Peavy is out, the better.

2:58: Way to battle back and get the strikeout Peavy. I’m sorry for what I said at 2:56.

2:59: Commercial Break: I had the dog out running before, and he went over to sniff some little lap dog. The stupid owner responded by freaking out and yanking her dog in the air by the leash. So, of course my dog is gonna jump when he sees a flying dog. She started screaming “get your dog, get your dog.” Stupid foo foo dogs and their owners.

3:02: Jeter and Jones ground out. The fields with the grass (turf) infields totally bug me. I noticed the Tokyo Dome had it last night.

3:06: Is that game Pedroia is selling the same one Lincecum is selling? Lincecum’s commercials are better.

3:07: Look at those Toronto 10s.

3:08: LaTroy Hawkins is in to pitch. Wow. Just wow. Add another team to LaTroy’s long list.

3:10: It’s ashame what happened to Corey Koskie. I’m sure he would’ve been on this team.

3:11: Is that Carl Lewis or LaTroy Hawkins on the mound? Carl Lewis did a few embarrassing things after winning the Gold and that’s what I’ll remember him for.

3:15: This guy’s Canadian accent is pretty awesome. I could listen to him talk aboot Canada all day.

3:16: Youk!!!! You’re still gay but way to go oppo. 2-2. Both runs scored by Youkilis.

3:20: I’m hoping Bret Lawrie makes an appearance. I’d like to see what the Brewers got with this kid last year.

3:21: McCann with a 2 run bomb.

3:23: USA goes up 4-2 in the fourth. Russell Martin leading off for the Canadians in the 5th.

3:26: Nice sliding catch by Dunn. Probably not necessary, but he caught it.

3:27: Thornton has a crazy 5 o’clock shadow. It’s everywhere on his face. Maybe their freckles, I’m not sure. He throws heat. Why can’t the Brewers find a lefty who brings it like that? Oh, they did, but they traded him to Tampa.

3:31: Alright USA, add to the lead.

3:33: Playing a quality shortstop defensively? Does that mean bad with little range?

3:35: This sideline dude is an idiot. These guys don’t hate each other even while they’re playing against each other. It’s just the fans that hate each other. Except for Jones, everyone hates him.

3:36: Sutcliffe speculates an injury to Jeter after Rollins came in to pinch run. Hmmm.

3:39: Michael Jack Schmidt on the mic. Hope he says some interesting shit.

3:41: Joel Hanrahan is on the hump for the States. Quick, what team is this guy on?

3:42: Braun with a nice leaping catch. Everytime the ball is hit to left, get nervous people.

3:44: Come backer to Hanrahan. McCann did a good job of telling the pitcher where to take the play. That’s heads up.

3:45: Stupid wild pitch. 4-3 Ooh Es Eh.

3:49: That list of relievers is pretty pathetic. I would think they would have a better bullpen when starters are on pitch counts.

3:50: Youk almost homered again. Pulled it a little foul. He walks. Youk has been on every time today.

3:53: Dunnie with a 2 run jack. USA is getting beastmode on Canada.

3:55: Braun 0-3. He’s on his way to being just like A-Rod on the big stage.

3:58: Christopher Leroux (pronounced La-Roo somehow) comes on to pitch for Canada.

4:00: Youkilis has scored every time he’s been up. I really love hating this guy, but he’s getting the job done today.

4:02: I just checked out the pool. We’ve got a speedo sighting. When will foreign people learn.

4:05: There’s been some defensive substitutions. That must be why Jeter was taking out.

4:05: Russell Martin takes Scot Shields deep to left. 6-4 USA.

4:10: Shields is working through the meat of the order. Votto singled and Morneau strikes out.

4:12: Whoa. Some guy in the crowd wearing a Blue Jays shirt looked exactly like Roman. No joke. I’ve seen (in picture) Roman wear the same hat the guy had on. Anyone else see it?

4:14: Shields get Stairs to strike out to end the inning. I was getting nervous there for a second.

4:18: Pedroia has such a wild swing. It’s hard to describe, but he uses his whole body to swing the bat. It works though, as he just doubled to right.

4:23: Runners move up to second and third after a wild pitch that should’ve been ruled a past ball. Jones finally gets on base. Bases loaded for David Wright with no outs. Predictions?

4:24: Fuck, Marquette lost to Syracuse at home. That injury to James is really hurting this team.

4:26: Wright pops out to short. Bases still full with Youk coming up with one out.

4:27: Youk strikes out. Granderson, who came in for Dunn, comes up with the bases loaded.

4:30: Nothing, absolutely nothing. It’s like the Mets in September out there. Bases loaded, no outs, and nothing.

4:32: JP Howell pitching for USA now. Howell is rocking the beard but not the mustache. Very bold my friend.

4:35: How did Ted Lilly make this team? What is CC up to? Jon Lester? David Price?

4:36: Nice 4-6-3 @ 4:36 to end the inning. Coincidence?

4:39: I just found Nick Cannon on Twitter. I had to say, today was a good day.

4:42: I think I just heard Creed playing when Pedroia was coming up. I’m hoping that was Canada’s choice, and not Pedroia’s.

4:46: Are they gonna leave them loaded again? No doubt, Jones switch hits in the sack, not only on the diamond.

4:48: Bases left loaded again. Who is gonna close this thing out for America?

4:51: One more chance for Canada. Putz comes on to close.

4:52: Great play by Rollins. Jeter wouldn’t have made that.

4:53: Russell Martin almost parked another one. Tying run in Votto at the plate. What did Sutlciffe say about the Mets going home in September every year?

4:57: Votto comes through on a broken bat gapper to right center. 6-5 USA with Votto on second and Morneau at the plate. Only one out.

4:58: Morneau hits a rope to Rollins at short. 2 outs, man on second. Bay at the plate.

5:01: Counts full.

5:02: Count remains full after 2 foul balls. The place seems pretty electric right now. This is pretty sweet. Screw you Roman.

5:03: Ballgame. Putz threw a meatball and Morneau got under it. Pretty solid game.

Switch over to college basketball.  Or better yet, go for dinner and go get drunk.  I know I will.

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