I agree - but why even bother including Italy, Canada, Netherlands and those types of clubs if you are going to take away the possibility of a one game showdown? A lot of clubs do not have the staff depth needed to compete in anything more than what the WBC is right now. If the tournament is expanded, and designed so that the better clubs will typically prevail - you really need to consider moving the dates of the WBC, so that clubs will always have their best representing.
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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