MIAMI — Team USA advanced from pool play and the preliminaries of this World Baseball Classic, thanks to a couple of overmatched opponents and the clutch, caffeinated Italians. But it’s finally time to get serious. USA’s semifinal opponent Sunday — the Dominican Republic — is just as formidable, in much better form and seemingly having much more fun.
USA barely escaped rounds originally seen as warmups and finally finds itself facing a powerful foe, a club stocked with major league stars, not a collection of mostly hopefuls and has-beens. Yes, it’s time now for Team USA’s band of All-Stars and future Hall of Famers to perform close to their reputation and résumés.
USA, the pre-tournament favorite, should no longer be seen as such after three straight unremarkable performances in games that were supposed to be walkovers. Team D.R., meantime, which dismantled comparable or better opponents, presents a step up in class akin to moving from a $10,000 maiden claiming race to the highest of stakes.
In what might serve as the understatement of the event, Team USA superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said this to writers after they barely advanced with a nail-biter of a 5-3 victory over Team Canada’s group of aspiring rookies, reclamation projects and even a couple of retirees: “I still think we haven’t played our best ball yet.”
