World Baseball Classic Future?

[lowrider66]

I'm wondering if anyone has even looked at or thought about it yet, but do you guys think any country other than the USA or Domincan Republic have a legit shot at winning it?

The USA is +183 and the Dominican is +175. Who else do you think has a shot? Venezuela? Cuba? Puerto Rico?

I'm thinking about putting a little change on the USA and Dominican so if one of those two teams win I still win...

Thoughts? Am I wasting my money on an exhibition? Does anyone have an idea on how long the pitchers will go? Is one country taking this more seriuosly than another?

Thanks guys.

[CheechB03]

I know Cuba usually has very good international teams.

[BigWeiner]

I'm not sure what to make of it, I'm going to the semi's and championship in San Diego. I have a feeling those games will be serious, but the early ones, like South Africa against Domincan should be blowouts. The one play I like that a saw is Domincan to win their pool -250, big line to lay, but I don't think there's anyway they lose their pool. They have the best lineup I've ever seen, it's better than any All Star starting lineup. Good luck whatever you do

[TMess]

Cuba and Venezuela with both have great teams....but like all baseball it will come down to pitching....and no team has the pitching that the US has. I say it depends on the format of the games....is it going to be double elimination??? If so a team like the Dominican Republic has a great shot, because they've got two great starting pitchers and thery're line-up is loaded.

[meaiken]

I would bet Cuba to win there pool

[STaylor36]

No Barry Bonds for the USA.

Take the DR.

[lowrider66]

Thanks for the input. Looking at the pools and the payouts, I’m thinking of a couple other interesting bets.

Pool C: Cuba +202, Netherlands +630, Panama +500, and Puerto Rico +120
I either play Cuba and PR each to win Pool C
Or
Play everyone except PR to win Pool C.
Puerto Rico does have home field advantage… But the Netherlands could upset some people with Andruw Jones, and pitcher Mulder, Haren, Sarloos and possibly Ponson.

Upon further review the Venezuelan team is stacked as far as pitching goes. They also have a lot of national pride as seen during the All Star game last year, I think they will be very motivated to try and win it all. I also like their odds at +824.

I’m now leaning towards futures on Venezuela or the Dominican Republic to win it all, and leaving out the good ole’ USA… The only problem is that Venezuela and the Dominican will be coming out of the same side of the bracket to get to the finals…

Maybe play those two teams and hedge the finals?

Why am I even giving this so much thought? Because I’m just following in hoops and am refusing to jinx the Seahawks by betting for or against them… Add that to a slow work day and you have me trying to figure out how to make some coin off the World Baseball Classic…

And yes I’m still undecided on any plays…

[The Cooler]

No Barry Bonds for the USA.

Take the DR.

Yeah he can't pass a drug test