Bleacher Bums Forum

Interesting they're going with Imanaga over Ohtani or Darvish, both of whom could pitch on normal rest.

Wow, looks like Ohtani vs.Trout with everything on the line.

Trying to contemplate Ohtani as a 1-2 inning reliever. 

I don't know how anyone can dismiss the WBC at this point.  It's a phenomenal event and it's doing wonders for baseball worldwide when it really needs the help.

The best team won.

Team Japan had the best pitching staff.

That’s because, for whatever reason, Team USA did not bring its best starting pitchers.

And Team USA had three very good relievers but was thin thereafter in the bullpen.

Obviously, Team USA had the best group of position players.

Think that if Team Japan—this exact group—played in the majors as a team, they would be a contender in most any MLB division. They are really good.

Why not? They’ve been playing baseball in Japan for over a century.

If Jason Heyward changed his name to Hiroshi Tanahashi you all would want the Cubs to offer him 300 million.

What would be wrong with having the WBC sometime after the World Series completes?

Players would still be in game shape, games could be played in domes and/or warm weather sites, and any players injured during the games would have several months to heal up.

Is the concern competing against the NFL and NBA?