Uehara's Outing vs. China

Japanese fans are really disappointed with how he did. Shimizu completely outclassed him with that amazing relief performance. Nishioka also had the performance that Ichiro should've had. Overall, the Marines came off looking very good. Imae had that 2 RBI pinch hit and Satozaki was solid.

I don't know what was going on. Either Satozaki gave him questionable signs or Uehara shook off the forkball sign. All I know is that China couldn't hit Uehara's forkball at all. If they can't hit it, he should be pitching nothing but forks.

Koji just didn't look like he was having fun out there. I also think he was throwing so many strikes because he was worried about the pitch count. Hopefully Matsuzaka won't do the same. The bullpen is good enough to cover the other innings. I can't wait to see Fujikawa hit the mound. I also think Aikawa and Arai should get a couple at bats tonight against Chinese Taipei. Imae starting at third would be fun to see, too.

Not a bad start for Matsuzaka, but not good. Gave up 3 hits, hit 2 batters, 1 run on a balk, 3 Ks in 4 innings.

Yeah, it seems like the ball is still an issue for them. Matsuzaka, with that embarrassing balk with the ball just slipping from his hand in mid-motion. It seemed like Hiroyuki Kobayashi couldn't get a good grip on it, either. Aikawa was getting a workout from blocking and chasing all those wild pitches.

So far, this is what I think about the team. Matsunaka is hitting well, but he needs to hit a home run against Korea to prove he should be the #4 batter. Ichiro has been very unimpressive with his bat. His arm strength in right field is almost enough reason to keep him out there, since it saves bases being given up. Iwamura doesn't look like he's in a groove at all. He made a great defensive play last night, though. I'd like to see Imae get a start against Korea. There are too many lefties in that order, and Korea has lefties who have the potential to shut Japan down. Fukudome needs to get his act together or lose his spot to Aoki. Oh should they start Aoki in center against Korea just to see what he can do.

Of course, this isn't going to happen, because Oh isn't Bobby Valentine. He won't switch his lineups around every game. I think we'll see the same starters go up against Korea. Oh seems like the kind of manager who'll have faith in his starters throughout the WBC. I think leaving Uehara in the game during that bases loaded 1 out situation is symbolic of his style.

On the positive side of things, Nishioka, Kawasaki, and Ogasawara have been fun to watch. I really questioned Kawasaki being picked for this team, since I thought Ibata would be better, but he's proven me wrong. It seems like Kawasaki has a great attitude out there and is hustling like crazy. I like the dynamic he brings to the batting order.

Shimizu was really impressive in the China relief, perfect 3.0 IP with 5 Ks.

I'd have to agree that he wasn't pitching well, but at least he had the runs ahead to get away with throwing a few of those balls. Especially with that balk he gave up in the second inning.

Well of course nobody's going to be pitching well, as it's still early March. That's the whole problem with the WBC concept - these guys (especially the aces such as Uehara and Matsuzaka) usually don't get into a groove until the start of the regular season, so you're not going to see them at their best. The other thing is they're using an unfamiliar ball, which undoubtedly contributed to that embarrassing balk by Matsuzaka.

I think we're being a little too critical here.

How big is the Tokyo Dome?

- Well of course nobody's going to be pitching well, as it's still early March. That's the whole problem with the WBC concept - these guys (especially the aces such as Uehara and Matsuzaka) usually don't get into a groove until the start of the regular season, [...]

I realize that the season has yet to begin and that aces such as Matsuzaka and Uehara are warming up for the season. But for the people who have yet to see either pitcher in action, they might have some questions about them.

As for the timing of the WBC, I completely agree that it should be moved to either June or July. Though there are many kinks to the WBC, it's good to see that it's being played out.

If there is anything to be critcal about, it's the commentary. Maybe it's just me, but it would have been amusing to see Joe Morgan cover the pool a portion of the tournament.

[By admin: Do you mean "... cover the Asian pool portion of the tournament."?]

Agreed on the commentary. Some of it was terrible. I won't even go into the pronunciation of names. There was just an apparent lack of knowledge about both the teams and the tournament, like pointing out how important the Japan-Korea game was for seeding. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Japan and Korea will have the exact same schedule for the next three games, and the game was completely meaningless for any sort of seeding concerns; the only thing on the line was pride. Now, I don't doubt that the game was important for that reason, but you shouldn't have commentators telling you it will affect seeding, when being second or first in your pool makes absolutely no difference.

I guess I shouldn't complain, though. At least it was on TV.