USA Humiliates Canada In The World Baseball Classic

The United States beat Canada 12-1 Monday night at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The game only lasted 7 innings, on account of the 10 run mercy rule. It is particularly humiliating for the Canadians, considering that the US does not have a full strength team. The US led 9-0 after the first inning, and 12-1 after the second inning. The score at the end of the second inning ended up being the final score of the game.

Mike Trout was the standout batter for the US, with a 3-run homer in the 1st inning. His 3 run homer extended the US lead from 6-0 to 9-0. Trea Turner also had a home run for the Americans, a solo shot in the second inning to make the game 12-1. Pitcher Lance Lynn got the win for the US, with 1 run given up in 5 innings. Jared Young’s solo home run was the lone run for Canada.

Like in almost every sport besides hockey, Canada is just not able to match the United States. Only miracles and luck seem to stop Canada from losing to the US in sports not played on frozen water. Going into the game, there wasn’t much hope for the Canadians, and we immediately saw why. The American bats are simply at another level compared to Canada, and they started early. 19 year old Canadian pitcher Mitch Bratt simply could not contain the bats of Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado, Mookie Betts and company.

The Americans got hot early, and from then on, the game seemed, and was, out of reach for Canada. At 12-1 at the end of the second inning, many wondered if the game would end in a mercy rule after 5 innings. This happens if one team is up by 15 runs or more. The US bats cooled off, which allowed the Canadians to extend the game, but they were never a threat to the US. The US is simply in a different league than Canada.

What made it even more embarrassing for the Canadians was that this was not a full strength US lineup. Admittedly, most of the top American players not participating are pitchers. But if the US had the likes of Clayton Kershaw and countless others, it would be hard to see any nation challenging the US. At least if there were enough games. Because in a sport like baseball, any team can win or lose in a one off game.

That may be one problem with the World Baseball Classic. In having 4 group stage games and then straight knockout games, it is impossible for it to truly show who is the best team. Baseball is a game of averages; for batters and pitchers. And the better batters and pitchers don’t usually manifest their superiority in one game. They manifest it over many games.

So if the World Baseball Classic had all of the best players for each country, and at least 20-30 games, it would be a better reflection of the best baseball nation. The US is clearly by some distance the best baseball nation when combining hitting and pitching. But in the very small sample size of the World Baseball Classic, and without a full strength US team, anything can happen. Let’s see what happens.