I'd like a best-of-3 final but other than that, tournaments are knockout in any sport.
As for pitchers, moon has a point. Not only does Japan care about the tournament more but more importantly, Japanese league teams care too and release all their players to the national team. The defending champs Yomuyuri Giants have 9 members on the team! They have pride in Japan winning this tournament even beyond their the effects of their own team. Probably because 90% of the league's players are Japanese.
They have the same excuses that MLB teams do, their season starts March 29. They have pitchers working out just like we do. But they want Japan to win and if their player gets hurt.. that's just part of the game. I argued that Latino teams care too but their players play for MLB teams who don't care so they're stuck. Pujols and Bautista would be playing if it were up to the Dominican.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
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