04/20/24
February 28, 2006
World Baseball Classic Confidence Points Pick 'Em:
So! Apparently we all like the idea of confidence points pools for international sporting tournaments. Who knew? The good news for us is that there's ANOTHER international tournament starting up this week! Woo hoo!
The bad news is that SpoFi has had bouts of instability recently, and the tournament starts on Thursday night, so time is of the essence. However, qbert72 has generously set up a backup site for us, so if the Locker Room comments aren't working, make your picks over here. I've listed the rules, teams and schedule there too, just in case I can't comment here after I post this. Make your picks either here (if available) or there, doesn't matter to me. Or both, if you want.
Good luck!
posted by DrJohnEvans to fantasy at 08:27 AM - 141 comments
Yay, I can comment. We'll keep the backup system up just in case. Also, the SpoFi campfire chat is, as always, active.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 08:32 AM on February 28, 2006
Okay, this is where I'm probably going to burn up all the extra luck I had in the Olympic hockey pool. 16 Venezuela 15 Dominican Republic 14 USA 13 Canada 12 Puerto Rico 11 Cuba 10 Japan 09 Korea 08 Mexico 07 China Taipei 06 China 05 Panama 04 Netherlands 03 Australia 02 South Africa 01 Italy (It seems that f it ain't soccer, Italy gets NO respect from me in international tournaments.)
posted by grum@work at 08:50 AM on February 28, 2006
Canada this high? Rich Harden and Eric Gagné are not playing.
posted by qbert72 at 09:06 AM on February 28, 2006
These are subject to change. Actually, I'm pretty sure they're guaranteed to change. 16. Dominican Republic 15. United States 14. Venezuela 13. Cuba 12. Australia 11. Korea 10. Puerto Rico 9. Japan 8. Canada 7. Netherlands 6. Mexico 5. China 4. Panama 3. South Africa 2. Chinese Taipei 1. Italy
posted by DrJohnEvans at 09:10 AM on February 28, 2006
Canada this high? Rich Harden and Eric Gagné are not playing. It's all about Stubby Clapp and Ernie Whitt! Besides, I'm thinking of seeing a couple of upsets in the early rounds.
posted by grum@work at 09:17 AM on February 28, 2006
16. USA 15. Venezuela 14. Japan 13. Puerto Rico 12. Dominican Republic 11. Mexico 10. Korea 9. Cuba 8. Canada 7. Australia 6. Chinese Tiapei 5. Panama 4. South Africa 3. China 2. Netherlands 1. Italy MVP=A-Rod?
posted by skydivedad at 09:38 AM on February 28, 2006
Regardless of team?
posted by DrJohnEvans at 09:39 AM on February 28, 2006
Great, I can watch Chinese Taipei vs. Korea on ESPN2 1:30 AM March 3rd EST "Tape Delay" if your doing tape delay wtf is it doing at 1:30AM. I guess they didn't learn anything from NBC's Olympic Coverage.........
posted by skydivedad at 09:49 AM on February 28, 2006
I have no idea who's on what team and who plays where and who is who, really, but I know a lot of that in the hockey pools and that doesn't stop me from sucking, so: 16. Cuba 15. USA 14. Japan 13. Dominican Republic 12. Puerto Rico 11. Canada 10. Venezuela 9. Korea 8. Panama 7. Australia 6. Mexico 5. China 4. Chinese Taipei 3. Italy 2. South Africa 1. Netherlands
posted by mkn at 10:11 AM on February 28, 2006
16. Dominican Republic 15. U.S. 14. Venezuela 13. Puerto Rico 12. Japan 11. Cuba 10. Korea 9. Canada 8. Mexico 7. Australia 6. Panama 5. Taiwan (the rest of you commie appeasers can call it Chinese Taipei if you want, but not me) 4. Italy 3. Netherlands 2. China 1. South Africa
posted by holden at 10:21 AM on February 28, 2006
16. USA! USA! USA! 15. Dominican Republic 14. Venezuela 13. Korea 12. Cuba 11. Puerto Rico 10. Japan 9. Canada 8. Netherlands 7. Mexico 6. Panamaniacs 5. Australia 4. South Africa 3. China 2. Italy 1. Taipei
posted by YukonGold at 10:30 AM on February 28, 2006
16. Venezuela 15. United States 14. Dominican Republic 13. Japan 12. Puerto Rico 11. Korea 10. Cuba 9. Mexico 8. Canada 7. Chinese Taipei 6. Australia 5. Netherlands 4. China 3. Panama 2. Italy 1. South Africa
posted by qbert72 at 10:47 AM on February 28, 2006
16 - USA 15 - Dominican Republic 14 - Cuba 13 - Japan 12 - Venezuela 11 - Puerto Rico 10 - Chinese Taipei 9 - Canada 8 - Korea 7 - Mexico 6 - Panama 5 - Netherlands 4 - Italy 3 - China 2 - Australia 1 - South Africa
posted by JJ at 10:49 AM on February 28, 2006
(the rest of you commie appeasers can call it Chinese Taipei if you want, but not me) I just want my picks to appear in the Chinese Google searches, that's all.
posted by grum@work at 11:18 AM on February 28, 2006
16. USA 15. Venezuela 14. Japan 13. Puerto Rico 12. Dominican Republic 11. Canada 10. Korea 9. Cuba 8. Mexico 7. Australia 6. Chinese Tiapei 5. Panama 4.Netherlands 3. China 2. South Africa 1. Italy OK my "redo" picks.......
posted by skydivedad at 11:25 AM on February 28, 2006
Team ranking with top player to look for in parens: 16. USA (Jeff Francoeur) 15. Dominican Republic (Ervin Santana) 14. Venezuela (Giovanni Carrara) 13. Puerto Rico (Juan Padilla) 12. Mexico (Luis Garcia) 11. Japan (Daisuke Matsuzaka) 10. Netherlands (Diegomar Markwell) 9. Korea (Jae-Weong Seo) 8. Cuba (Yuliesky Gourriel - I looked that one up. I don't know this team very well at all.) 7. Canada (Stubby Clapp & the conspicuous absence of Eric Gagne) 6. Italy (uh... Mike Piazza?) 5. Taiwanpei (Tai-Shan Chang - I looked that one up, too) 4. China (no idea -- probably Li) 3. Australia (Brendan Kingman and the return of Dave Nilsson) 2. South Africa (Tyrone Lamont) 1. Panama (Jose Macias)
posted by BullpenPro at 12:24 PM on February 28, 2006
I used the CRAY supercomputer to run the math on the tourney and this is what it came up with: 16: USA 15: Dominican Republic 14: Japan 13: Cuba 12: Venuzuela 11: Korea 10: Mexico 09: Puerto Rico 08: Chinese Taipei 07: China 06: Canada 05: Panama 04: Australia 03: Italy 02: South Africa 01: the Netherlands And it only it 10 years to come up this.
posted by NoMich at 12:28 PM on February 28, 2006
And it only took the supercomputer 10 years to come up this.
posted by NoMich at 12:37 PM on February 28, 2006
That's why I'm just gonna use my lucky Sacagawea coin.
posted by njsk8r20 at 12:46 PM on February 28, 2006
Time to get me another medal! 16. Cuba 15. U.S. of A. 14. Japan 13. Venezuela 12. Chinese (Taiwan)Taipei (Taiwan) 11. Mexico 10. Puerto Rico 09. Dominican Republic 08. China 07. Canada (This ain't hockey, bitches!) 06. Panama 05. Australia 04. Korea 03. Italy 02. Netherlands 01. South Africa MVP -- Fidel Castro
posted by wingnut4life at 12:54 PM on February 28, 2006
16. Dominican Republic 15. Puerto Rico 14. United States 13. Japan 12. Venuzuela 11. Cuba 10. Korea 09. Mexico 08. Panama 07. China 06. Canada 05. Australia 04. Chinese Taipei 03. Netherlands 02. South Africa (do they send cricketers?) 01. Italy
posted by gspm at 01:32 PM on February 28, 2006
16. Dominican Republic 15. United States 14. Cuba 13. Japan 12. Venezuela 11. Panama 10. Canada 09. Korea 08. Puerto Rico 07. Mexico 06. Australia 05. China 04. Netherlands 03. Italy 02. South Africa 01. Chinese Taipei
posted by rocketman at 02:26 PM on February 28, 2006
I actually spent a little time on this, which we all know means I'm now in line for the Costanza Award. 16. Dominican Republic 15. Venezuela 14. United States 13. Puerto Rico 12. Canada 11. Japan 10. Panama 09. The Netherlands 08. Korea 07. Cuba 06. Australia 05. Chinese Taipei 04. Mexico 03. China 02. Italy 01. South Africa
posted by wfrazerjr at 03:12 PM on February 28, 2006
16. USA 15. Japan 14. Dominican 13. Puerto Rico 12. Venezuela 11. Korea 10. Cuba 09. Canada 08. China 07. Panama 06. Australia 05. Mexico 04. Chinese Taipei 03. Netherlands 02. Italy 01. S. Africa
posted by tselson at 03:28 PM on February 28, 2006
I see JJ and I are in the competition to show you North Americans up again. 16 - USA (yeah, I know) 15 - Dominican republic (What you mean it's not the same as the cricket crazy West Indies island of Dominica?) 14 - Cuba - Si! 13 - Japan 12 - Venezuela - Chavez! 11 - Panama 10 - Mexico 9 - Korea 8 - Canada, sorry guys 7 - Puerto Rico (bad group draw) 6 - Australia (I hear Adam Gilchrist is making a guest appearance) 5 - Taipei 4 - Netherlands 3 - Italy 2 - Sarth Effrikker 1 - China
posted by owlhouse at 03:52 PM on February 28, 2006
Well to continue my somewhat fast start in these pools (which will end up in a downword spiral to mediocrity) I'll make my picks. 16-United States (they got the best draw) 15-Dominican Republic 14-Puerto Rico (though since their a commonwealth, if they win will part of their prize go to the USA?) 13-Venezuela 12-Japan 11-Cuba 10-Korea (North or South?) 9-Canada 8-Panama 7-Mexico 6-Taiwan 5-Australia 4-Netherlands 3-China (though will they claim victory if Taiwan wins?) 2-South Africa (how are they in this?) 1-Italy
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:02 PM on February 28, 2006
You'll be prying the Costanza from my warm, giving hands. Seriously, take it. 16 - Dominican Republic 15 - Puerto Rico 14 - Venezuela 13 - USA 12 - Cuba 11 - Taiwan 10 - Japan 9 - Mexico 8 - Korea 7 - Australia 6 - China 5 - Panama 4 - Netherlands 3 - Canada (if Terry Puhl comes out of retirement, I may revise this upward) 2 - Italy 1 - South Africa
posted by chicobangs at 06:43 PM on February 28, 2006
I typed "Chinese Taipei" to make it easier on the good Doctor John. Sure, we all know it as the less (literally) politically correct name of Taiwan, but now Doc is going to have to do double takes between what you bedwetters typed and what is on the official schedule. Poor ol' Doc. Looky at what you did to him.
posted by NoMich at 06:53 PM on February 28, 2006
Somehow I think he'll live.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:02 PM on February 28, 2006
I highly doubt it. We're going to drive him to MySpace if we don't watch it.
posted by NoMich at 07:45 PM on February 28, 2006
16. United States 15. Venezuela 14. Japan 13. Australia 12. Puerto Rico 11. Cuba 10. Korea 09. Mexico 08. Dominican Republic 07. Canada 06. Netherlands 05. Panama 04. China 03. Italy 02. Chinese Taipei 01. South Africa
posted by goddam at 08:53 PM on February 28, 2006
Goddam! The slugging wombats at 13? You've won my heart, but not my bank balance to bet with.
posted by owlhouse at 09:23 PM on February 28, 2006
16. USA 15. Dominican Republic 14. Venezuela 13. Cuba 12. Puerto Rico 11. Japan 10. Korea 9. Chinese Taipei 8. Canada 7. Panama 6. Australia 5. Mexico 4. China 3. Netherlands 2. Italy 1. South Africa I feel good about these.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:56 PM on February 28, 2006
owl, i'm hoping that australia is the wbc's finland. and that the dominican is canada.
posted by goddam at 10:03 PM on February 28, 2006
I'm utterly clueless about this (and a lot of other stuff), so my picks are entirely based on the odds from the first online bookie I found. I figured they'd have done their homework (and, by proxy, my homework). I'm clearly going to win until you die from it.
posted by JJ at 10:11 AM on March 01, 2006
16. Venezuela 15. USA 14. Dominican Republic 13. Japan 12. Cuba 11. Canada 10. Puerto Rico 9. Chinese Taipei 8. Korea 7. Panama 6. Australia 5. Mexico 4. China 3. Netherlands 2. Italy 1. South Africa There you go...I'm not even sure it makes any sense, but there you go.
posted by chris2sy at 12:32 PM on March 01, 2006
I'm not changing my picks, but here is the prediction from Baseball Prospectus. They ran 100 million simulations based on the players on the various lineups (and rankings based on previous stats (if available) and strength of division), and here is the breakdown on how often the teams won the tournament: 1. USA 33.54% 2. DOM 20.88% 3. VNZ 16.13% 4. JPN 07.93% 5. PUR 05.71% 6. MEX 04.33% 7. CAN 03.98% 8. KOR 03.13% 9. CBA 02.66% 10. ITA 00.68% 11. TAI 00.37% 12. PAN 00.26% 13. NED 00.23% 14. AUS 00.15% 15. CHN 00.0008% 16. RSA 0% (not once in 100 million simulations) I would like to submit this ranking (where USA gets 16, DOM gets 15, etc) into our pool as "Baseball Prospectus". If people find other rankings out there from other sites, we should submit those as well.
posted by grum@work at 12:44 PM on March 01, 2006
I like that we could beat Baseball Prospectus. I also like that their picks are not so far off mine. Is the piece where they discuss this available to the public? Also, the probability of winning the tournament does not correlate exactly with the probability of winning the most games, which is what our pool is about. VNZ or DOM could win the tournament while having lost two times to the other team, whereas USA's only loss could come in the last game.
posted by qbert72 at 12:52 PM on March 01, 2006
Also, the probability of winning the tournament does not correlate exactly with the probability of winning the most games, which is what our pool is about. VNZ or DOM could win the tournament while having lost two times to the other team, whereas USA's only loss could come in the last game. Agreed. However, it did take into account whether a team would make it out of its division and how it would fair in the later rounds, so it is a good approximation of win totals, I believe. And I believe it is from the pay section of their site, so a link wouldn't do any good. I think information I posted would fall under "fair use", so I hope they don't freak out and come after SpoFi.
posted by grum@work at 02:37 PM on March 01, 2006
I highly doubt it. We're going to drive him to MySpace if we don't watch it. If he does I'm going after him.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:46 PM on March 01, 2006
Thanks for the clarification, grum. Maybe we could *gasp* ask Baseball Prospectus if they agree to be represented in our little game? Hell, they might run the numbers for most wins in their simulation just for us. Also, I need you there.
posted by qbert72 at 02:51 PM on March 01, 2006
Ok here are my picks...... 16. Venuzuala 15. Dom. Republic 14. USA 13. Mexico 12. Puerto Rico 11. Japan 10. Panama 9. China Taipei 8. Korea 7. Canada 6. China 5. Cuba 4. Australia 3. South Africa 2. Italy 1. Netherlands
posted by skydivemom at 02:52 PM on March 01, 2006
I've programmed myself to just parse for "TAI" when looking for Taipai/Taiwan, so no worries. Anyway, I don't think I could stomach Myspace. Not enough vocal Steelers fans over there. grum, that's a great idea. I'll definitely add the Baseball Prospectus. But if it wins anything, you have to create a user account for it so we can put the trophy on its user page.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 03:16 PM on March 01, 2006
In case anyone could conceivably care, I found the XM Radio schedule for the WBC: 2006 World Baseball Classic Schedule Round 1 Pool A: Tokyo, Japan Date Local time EST Match-up Channel Fri. March 3 12:00 PM 10:00 PM (Thu) Korea v Chinese Taipei English XM176 Fri. March 3 7:00 PM 5:00 AM Japan v China English XM176 Sat. March 4 12:00 PM 10:00 PM (Fri) Korea v China English XM176 Sat. March 4 7:00 PM 5:00 AM Japan v Chinese Taipei English XM176 Sun. March 5 12:00 PM 10:00 PM (Sat) Chinese Taipei v China English XM176 Sun. March 5 7:00 PM 5:00 AM Japan v Korea English XM176 Pool B: Phoenix, Arizona Date Local time EST Match-up Channel Tues. March 7 2:00 PM 4:00 PM USA v Mexico English XM182 Tues. March 7 7:00 PM 9:00 PM Canada v South Africa English XM182 Wed. March 8 2:00 PM 4:00 PM USA v Canada English XM182 Wed. March 8 7:00 PM 9:00 PM Mexico v South Africa English XM182 Thurs. March 9 6:00 PM 8:00 PM Canada v Mexico English XM182 Fri. March 10 1:00 PM 3:00 PM USA v South Africa English XM182 Pool C: San Juan, Puerto Rico Date Local time EST Match-up Channel Tues. March 7 2:00 PM 1:00 PM Puerto Rico v Panama English XM178 Wed. March 8 2:00 PM 1:00 PM Puerto Rico v Netherlands English XM178 Wed. March 8 8:00 PM 7:00 PM Cuba v Panama English XM178 Thurs. March 9 8:00 PM 7:00 PM Cuba v Netherlands English XM178 Fri. March 10 2:00 PM 1:00 PM Panama v Netherlands English XM178 Fri. March 10 8:00 PM 7:00 PM Puerto Rico v Cuba English XM178 Pool D: Orlando, Florida Date Local time EST Match-up Channel Tues. March 7 1:00 PM 1:00 PM Dominican Republic v Venezuela English XM180 Tues. March 7 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Australia v Italy English XM180 Wed. March 8 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Venezuela v Italy English XM180 Thurs. March 9 1:00 PM 1:00 PM Dominican Republic v Italy English XM180 Thurs. March 9 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Venezuela v Australia English XM180 Fri. March 10 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Dominican Republic v Australia English XM180 Round 2 Pool 1: Anaheim, California Date Local time EST Match-up Channel Sun. March 12 1:00 PM 4:00 PM Pool A Runner-up v Pool B Runner-up English XM176 Sun. March 12 8:00 PM 11:00 PM Pool A Winner v Pool B Winner English XM176 Mon. March 13 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Pool A Winner v Pool B Runner-up English XM176 Tues. March 14 4:00 PM 7:00 PM Pool B Winner v Pool A Runner-up English XM176 Wed. March 15 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Pool A Winner v Pool A Runner-up English XM176 Thurs. March 16 4:30 pm 7:30 pm Pool B Winner v Pool B Runner-up English XM176 Pool 2: San Juan, Puerto Rico Date Local time EST Match-up Channel Sun. March 12 2:00 PM 1:00 PM Pool C Winner v Pool D Runner-up English XM178 Sun. March 12 9:00 PM 8:00 PM Pool D Winner v Pool C Runner-up English XM178 Mon. March 13 2:00 PM 1:00 PM Pool D Winner v Pool C Winner English XM178 Mon. March 13 8:00 PM 7:00 PM Pool D Runner-up v Pool C Runner-up English XM178 Tues. March 14 8:00 PM 7:00 PM Pool D Winner v Pool D Runner-up English XM178 Wed. March 15 8:00 PM 7:00 PM Pool C Winner v Pool C Runner-up English XM178 Finals San Diego, California Date Local time EST Match-up Channel Sat. March 18 12:00 PM 3:00 PM Pool 2 Winner v Pool 2 Runner-up English XM176 Sat. March 18 7:00 PM 10:00 PM Pool 1 Winner v .Pool 1 Runner-up English XM176 Mon. March 20 6:00 PM 9:00 PM SF 1 Winner v SF 2 Winner English XM176
posted by BullpenPro at 03:23 PM on March 01, 2006
so my picks are entirely based on the odds from the first online bookie I found Gah! My technique's been rumbled. However, my bookie is usually slumped over the bar at the Billinudgel pub, and thinks a website is where a redback lives.
posted by owlhouse at 03:43 PM on March 01, 2006
After a respctical 17th in the Olympics Hockey pool. I stand to claim 16th in the WBC. 16. Japan 15. Cuba 14. Chinese Taipei 13. Dominican Republic 12. United States 11. Puerto Rico 10. Venuzuela 9. Mexico 8. Korea 7. Panama 6. Canada 5. China 4. Netherlands 3. South Africa 2. Australia 1. Italy
posted by Folkways at 06:09 PM on March 01, 2006
Oh, put me in Doc. I'm ready to play (clap clap-clap) today. (clap clap-clap) Look at me, I can be .... centerfield. 16. United States 15. Dominican Republic 14. Canada 13. Netherlands 12. Puerto Rico 11. Korea 10. Japan 9. Italy 8. Venuzuela 7. Cuba 6. China 5. Mexico 4. Chinese Taipei 3. Panama 2. Australia 1. South Africa
posted by njsk8r20 at 07:28 AM on March 02, 2006
Let's see if I can show I know even less about baseball than I do about hockey (shouldn't be too hard) 16. USA 15. Dominican Republic 14. Venezuela 13. Puerto Rico 12. Japan 11. Cuba 10. Panama 9. Canada 8. Korea 7. Mexico 6. Chinese Taipei 5. China 4. Aussies 3. Netherlands 2. South Africa 1. Italy
posted by willthrill72 at 09:05 AM on March 02, 2006
What's with the constant stream of players withdrawing? This will seriously affect the outcomes. I'm already pissed about this. It's seems like half the teams just lost the middle of their lineup in the last two days. This WBC thing is for shit.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:19 PM on March 02, 2006
What Weedy said. The loss of Sabathia and Wagner is seriously making me rethink the US position in my picks. When is the deadline for changes? Or, are they even an option?
posted by BullpenPro at 01:23 PM on March 02, 2006
16. Dominican Republic 15. Japan 14. Venezuela 13. Cuba 12. USA 11. Canada 10. Korea 9. Puerto Rico 8. Mexico 7. Panama 6. Australia 5. China 4. Chinese Taipei 3. South Africa 2. Netherlands 1. Italy
posted by catfish at 01:50 PM on March 02, 2006
BullpenPro, you can keep changing your picks up until 9:30pm EST tonight—that's when the first pitch is thrown out. Your last posted set of picks before that deadline are your official ones.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:28 PM on March 02, 2006
16. Mexico 15. Japan 14. Puerto Rico 13. Dominican Republic 12. USA 11. Panama 10. Netherlands 9. Venezuela 8. Cuba 7. Canada 6. Korea 5. China 4. Italy 3. South Africa 2. Australia 1. Chinese Taipei
posted by danostuporstar at 03:47 PM on March 02, 2006
I think the superstars from the Dominican Republic are having medical problems. Of course, since hurt toes are often life threatening I can't blame them.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:08 PM on March 02, 2006
16. USA 15. Dominican Republic 14. Venezuela 13. Cuba 12. Japan 11. Mexico 10. Puerto Rico 9. Chinese Taipei 8. Korea 7. Panama 6. Australia 5. Canada 4. China 3. Netherlands 2. Italy 1. South Africa
posted by thatweirdguy2 at 06:14 PM on March 02, 2006
Revised, two hours before deadline: because I told you I would. 16. Dominican Republic 15. United States 14. Venezuela 13. Cuba 12. Korea 11. Puerto Rico 10. Japan 9. Canada 8. Australia 7. Netherlands 6. Mexico 5. China 4. Panama 3. South Africa 2. Chinese Taipei 1. Italy
posted by DrJohnEvans at 06:33 PM on March 02, 2006
Oh, and thanks for the sidebar shout-out, justgary!
posted by DrJohnEvans at 06:36 PM on March 02, 2006
Watering Down the World Baseball Classic
posted by NoMich at 09:55 PM on March 02, 2006
NoMich: Terrific, terrific. I'm listening to Korea/Taipei right now on XM Radio. The guy on my voice-caller-ID is more interesting than the announcers they found for this one.
posted by BullpenPro at 10:28 PM on March 02, 2006
Here we go. Please double-check your picks to make sure I got 'em right, then head on over to the SpoFi WBC Confidence Points Pick 'Em Leaderboard. Also, if we need to resort to rankings tiebreakers when calculating the tiebreakers, we'll use the one at the bottom of this page. Replace "drawing of lots" with "head-to-head NHL 2004 match-up".
posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:51 AM on March 03, 2006
Thanks, DrJohnEvans! Loved the hover text on the flags. Notes from yesterday: * Japan 18 - China 2. Ouch. * Half the Korean guys are named Lee. Half the Chinese guys are named Li. Can't wait for that game!
posted by qbert72 at 07:33 AM on March 03, 2006
DrJE........ Your just to Good.......
posted by skydivedad at 07:59 AM on March 03, 2006
if you've got the picks summary all tablized and accessible, how about, for nav purposes, putting a link to the leaderboard on the picks page and a link to the picks on the leaderboard page. i found last time (olympic hockey) that when I wanted to see my picks again but was too lazy to find either the link to the pick summary in the old thread or my original posting. see, this is all about making it easier for ME. anyway, great job. and Cuba is so República de Deserción.
posted by gspm at 10:29 AM on March 03, 2006
One game in and I'm already near the bottom of the pack. Awesome!
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:57 AM on March 03, 2006
Noboby picked USA or Japan for less than 10, other than that it appears the picks are all over the place. This should get very interesting after the first few days.
posted by njsk8r20 at 11:30 AM on March 03, 2006
Alex Gonzales pulled out of the Venezuala team, much to my delight.
posted by jerseygirl at 05:10 PM on March 03, 2006
jerseygirl, no picks? We should have started a pool a few weeks ago where you rank MLB stars from 16 to 1 and you get points for having them drop out.
posted by BullpenPro at 06:32 PM on March 03, 2006
I didn't realize that Chris Chelios played baseball too.
posted by mkn at 09:07 PM on March 03, 2006
I'm watching my first WBC game right now -- China v. Korea -- and I have a few observations: 1) I am stunned by the uniforms. Everything is written in Roman letters. I don't get it. If this was called the "American Invitational" I would understand, but it is called the "World Baseball Classic." Does anyone else think it looks ridiculous to have "China" written in some Old English font (not to mention the names on the back, which just look odd). It's a nod I think could have been made to the team's home country -- let them tailor their uniforms to their rooting audience. They're playing in Japan, for God's sake. 2) It is also amazing to me how the players on both of these teams have adopted the gestures and mannerisms of MLB players. I remember seeing a couple of Japanese highlights in the '70s during the Sadaharu Oh Era and laughing (as a kid will do) at how "weird" the Japanese players were. They were so stiff, batters didn't seem to leave the batter's box -- it just looked very "foreign." To watch this game now, it could easily be two North American based teams. Such an influence, this television, I think. 3)How on Earth did Jim Lefebvre end up as skipper of the Chinese team? Is this really the Chinese national team, of did the US find 30 Chinese players and throw red uniforms on them? "You're China. Here's your manager. Go." 4) Korea is crushing China, but both teams look like they are having fun. It's so awesome. Wouldn't it be great if more Major Leaguers looked like they were having fun playing a game? I love Torii Hunter. And Andruw Jones. And Al Leiter.
posted by BullpenPro at 10:16 PM on March 03, 2006
1) I am stunned by the uniforms. Everything is written in Roman letters. I don't get it. If this was called the "American Invitational" I would understand, but it is called the "World Baseball Classic." Does anyone else think it looks ridiculous to have "China" written in some Old English font (not to mention the names on the back, which just look odd). It's a nod I think could have been made to the team's home country -- let them tailor their uniforms to their rooting audience. They're playing in Japan, for God's sake. That was the first thing I noticed also, what is up with that anyway? It does look ridiculous.
posted by chris2sy at 03:40 PM on March 04, 2006
Soooooo.........what's the tie-breaker for the Costanza?
posted by wingnut4life at 05:20 PM on March 04, 2006
Korea upsets Japan 3-2. Who'd a thought.. A stunner in the Tokyo Dome. No matter, both teams had already clinched spots into the next round. I've personnally been unable to stay up until 1:30 AM to watch tape delay Pool A Games on ESPN2. ......... Here's the current records of the Pool A Teams Korea 3-0 Japan 2-1 Taiwan 1-2 China 0-3
posted by skydivedad at 07:50 AM on March 05, 2006
jerseygirl, no picks? We should have started a pool a few weeks ago where you rank MLB stars from 16 to 1 and you get points for having them drop out. No, no picks. Not a WBC fan.
posted by jerseygirl at 07:52 AM on March 05, 2006
The only game I didn't catch end-to-end in this tourney so far was the only upset and most exciting game of the tourney so far. I fell asleep after the 1st inning of the game Sunday morning, and, of course, ESPN isn't re-broadcasting it at all. I told my girlfriend I have to dump her for someone with TiVo (which cost me a day of car shopping instead of watching college basketball). This point system is killing me. I went 5-1 in this bracket (a win being when my higher ranked team won, and vice-versa), and I am still at the bottom of the rankings. (Snarl.) No, no picks. Not a WBC fan. That is patience (and loyalty?) that I can indeed appreciate, but I don't have the will to duplicate. Yes, the WBC is watered down, but I am jonesing so hard for competitive baseball at this time of year I would watch televised Strat-o-matic games.
posted by BullpenPro at 12:57 AM on March 06, 2006
BullpenPro, so the WBC is like your very own methadone treatment?
posted by wingnut4life at 08:43 AM on March 06, 2006
Spring training games are on TV. I watch those to feed the habit.
posted by jerseygirl at 09:35 AM on March 06, 2006
and I am still at the bottom of the rankings. (Snarl.) No cause for worry yet BullpenPro, so far only Pool A has played.
posted by njsk8r20 at 09:40 AM on March 06, 2006
Yeah, the Leaderboard is up-to-date, but is a little skewed because Pool A has finished playing while the other pools haven't even started. Folkways, for example, is on top because he got 14 points for Taiwan's consolation win over China—but Taiwan has been eliminated, so that's 14 points which he won't be getting again, so he's actually at a disadvantage from this point on.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:28 AM on March 06, 2006
Folkways is insane. Having three teams in the same pool ranked 16, 12, and 14 (Taiwan, what the fuck?) is crazy. No offense folkways but i think you won't be on top much longer.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:21 PM on March 06, 2006
I believe they are 16, 8 and 14 YYM so it isn't as bad as you think.
posted by skydivemom at 02:44 PM on March 06, 2006
skydivemom is right. Essentially, picks 1-4 shouldn't win any games. Picks 5-8 will maybe win a game but won't make it out of the pool. Folkways picked Taiwan to upset Korea, but still gave Korea 8 points to indicate that he wasn't hugely confident in that upset.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 02:58 PM on March 06, 2006
Just for kicks, I randomly generated four divisions and created win-loss standings. These actually mean little more than the early point standings at this stage -- it's really just a vehicle to put me in first place. And also to recycle the names of obscure Hall of Famers. Enjoy. Team W-L PCT GB MARTIN DIHIGO DIVISION NoMich 5-1 .833 -- YukonGold 5-1 .833 -- tselson 4-2 .667 1 catfish 4-2 .667 1 danostuporstar 4-2 .667 1 thatweirdguy2 4-2 .667 1 Folkways 4-2 .667 1 EPPA RIXEY DIVISION qbert72 5-1 .833 -- DrJohnEvans 5-1 .833 -- WeedyMcSmokey 5-1 .833 -- wfrazerjr 5-1 .833 -- grum@work 5-1 .833 -- gspm 4-2 .667 1 mkn 4-2 .667 1 DAN BROUTHERS DIVISION njsk8r20 5-1 .833 -- holden 5-1 .833 -- BullpenPro 5-1 .833 -- owlhouse 5-1 .833 -- goddam 4-2 .667 1 JJ 4-2 .667 1 chicobangs 3-3 .500 2 TURKEY STEARNS DIVISION skydivedad 5-1 .833 -- willthrill72 5-1 .833 -- Ying Yang Mafia 5-1 .833 -- rocketman 4-2 .667 1 chris2sy 4-2 .667 1 skydivemom 4-2 .667 1 wingnut4life 3-3 .500 2 PETE ROSE DIVISION Baseball Prospectus 5-1 .833 -- **Baseball Prospectus is a professional prognosticator, and as such is disqualified from this competition. ***Charts translate badly here. Sorry for the poor formatting. For entertainment purposes only. Please, no wagering.
posted by BullpenPro at 04:25 PM on March 06, 2006
team canada seems to be bonding well.
posted by goddam at 04:26 PM on March 06, 2006
Eppa Rixey division is the Canadian division. Nice... We're kicking ass, too.
posted by qbert72 at 04:49 PM on March 06, 2006
BullpenPro, that's awesome. I have no idea what it means, but it's still awesome. (By the way, I just checked out your user page for the first time in a while—good stuff!) goddam, that's a great article. Thanks.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 05:01 PM on March 06, 2006
(By the way, I just checked out your user page for the first time in a while—good stuff!) Yeah but it can't compare with mine.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:08 PM on March 06, 2006
Conceded. You've made good use of your image hotlinking skills, YYM.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 05:44 PM on March 06, 2006
I like those divisions BullpenPro because A) It puts me in first place in my Division. B) My first name is Dan and I am in the DAN BROUTHERS DIVISION Does that guarantee me home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs?
posted by njsk8r20 at 05:51 PM on March 06, 2006
Does that guarantee me home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs? Since I am ALSO in that division, and giving you home field advantage might upset my first-place standing, I would have to say... no.
posted by BullpenPro at 06:04 PM on March 06, 2006
That's a bunch of bullhockey. This game is fixed. Just make sure I beat JJ and I'll go away quietly.
posted by njsk8r20 at 06:19 PM on March 06, 2006
I was quite transparently inspired by your profile DrJohn. I'd love to come up with a sports story that is as freakin' hilarious as your Journalism section, but I got nothing. Enough with the mutual admiration. It makes jerseygirl uncomfortable for some reason.
posted by BullpenPro at 06:21 PM on March 06, 2006
Enough with the mutual admiration. It makes jerseygirl uncomfortable for some reason. No kidding.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:01 PM on March 06, 2006
What the hell? Last in my division? I demand realignment. So since Korea beat Japan, that means they play the second place team in Group B, right? Unless there's some upset, that should be Canada. So that's a favourable outcome, is it not? Better playing them than Japan. I think. I'm clueless since there's little ice.
posted by mkn at 12:40 AM on March 07, 2006
Just make sure I beat JJ and I'll go away quietly. If I had a penny for every time I'd heard that... I'm not sucking at this WBC thing nearly as much as I ought to be. (My profile page sucks though)
posted by JJ at 05:05 AM on March 07, 2006
Folkways is insane. Having three teams in the same pool ranked 16, 12, and 14 (Taiwan, what the fuck?) is crazy. No offense folkways but i think you won't be on top much longer. Folkways, for example, is on top because he got 14 points for Taiwan's consolation win over China—but Taiwan has been eliminated, so that's 14 points which he won't be getting again, so he's actually at a disadvantage from this point on. Ah its lonely at the top. To be honest I just picked at random from a hat. Not really paying that much attention to the individual brackets. So yes my moment in the sun may be short lived....But it is MY moment to hold dear to my heart as brief as it may be.
posted by Folkways at 12:15 PM on March 07, 2006
But it is MY moment to hold dear to my heart as brief as it may be. Damn right! Don't let the naysayers get you down! Revel in your elite standing!
posted by grum@work at 12:42 PM on March 07, 2006
You will probably win the award for Longest Time at the Top of the Leaderboard Without Winning. I suggest we call it the 'Greg Norman', the 'Keke Rosberg' or the 'Jim Braddock'.
posted by owlhouse at 01:52 PM on March 07, 2006
You do have a point Folkways (and my logic was a little flawed, you picked one team for 8 instead of 12).
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:07 PM on March 07, 2006
Keke Rosberg Hey, Keke did win the Drivers Championship in 82, with a staggering 1 race win.
posted by qbert72 at 02:08 PM on March 07, 2006
Speaking of flawed logic... ...after checking the picks again, I became a Netherlands fan, and I hope Venezuela doesn't win a single game. Maybe my lucky coin knows something you guys don't, or perhaps it just isn't that lucky.
posted by njsk8r20 at 03:15 PM on March 07, 2006
I see my fall from grace has begun. Who knows I may be the first spofite to go from first to worst in a Pick-um pool.
posted by Folkways at 08:05 PM on March 07, 2006
/checks standings this morning, does the cabbage patch, recieves strange looks from coworkers.
posted by njsk8r20 at 07:24 AM on March 08, 2006
recieves strange looks from coworkers I'm not surprised.
posted by JJ at 07:48 AM on March 08, 2006
Italy demolished Australia, in the first use of the mercy rule. Only three (two) of us had predicted a win for Italy (more than 4 points): njsk8r20, BullpenPro and, drum roll, Baseball Prospectus. Do you guys know something we don't? Also, who knew South Africa could hit? They almost beat Canada.
posted by qbert72 at 08:32 AM on March 08, 2006
I was really expecting more from the defending Olympic silver medallists. Glad I ended up bumping Australia down a few notches before the tourney. Did anyone else catch that insane Canada-South Africa game? I knew Canada's strength in this tourney was hitting, but I didn't know their pitching sucked that much.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 08:33 AM on March 08, 2006
Just looked at the CAN-RSA box score, and I can see Chris Reitsma was his usual self: botched save, 3 earned runs in one inning, and he gets the win. Good stuff!
posted by qbert72 at 08:37 AM on March 08, 2006
He got the win? Ugh. You know what? I was about to post a rant about how much I'm looking forward to the 2009 WBC when pitch counts probably won't be as strict and you don't have to rely on a sometimes questionable bullpen as much. But I think I kind of like it this way: limiting a single pitcher's play brings more players into the game and makes you depend more on your whole staff rather than one guy. The results will be more reflective of the team rather than the one guy. You can't just ride a hot hand to an upset win, and that, in a tournament in which every single game is meaningful, is significant.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 08:59 AM on March 08, 2006
I'm leaning the other way here. Baseball is a sport that is played in series. The fact that this tournament is based on single game outcomes seems weird to me. Games are managed like an All-Star game. I'd prefer a longer round robin, and 3-out-5 semis and final. That would bring out more baseball-like strategies, especially with regards to pitching.
posted by qbert72 at 09:27 AM on March 08, 2006
q, I'm not a fan of the single-game weight either, and I agree that it's not the natural way to manage the game. I'd just taken it as a given because that seems to be the only way an international baseball tournament can be viably concise. I would like to see a series-based playoff format as well, but it gets tough to keep the tournament short enough. How would you set it up? Two divisions of eight teams with the best-of-five semis and finals? Or maybe four divisions of four teams with twice the amount of pool play, and then best-of-five semis between the top teams in each pool?
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:06 AM on March 08, 2006
OK, here's what I think. Have a 3 week tournament, Saturday to Sunday, which gives you 23 days. Pool play is between 2 8-team divisions, each team plays all other teams once: 7 days. Then have 2-out-of-3 wild card series between divisions' #2 and #3 seeds: 3 days. Follow with 3-out-of-5 semi-finals, crossing between divisions: 5 days. And top it off with the 3-out-of-5 final, for another 5 days. Maximum number of play days: 20, which leaves you 3 scheduled day offs, one after each round. Ta da!
posted by qbert72 at 12:55 PM on March 08, 2006
qbert: I like your thinking, but that particular pattern won't work for this reason: you can't have teams playing seven consecutive days in the first round. With the pitch count issue -- which will, I think, always be an issue -- in the first round, there is no way a pitching staff will be able to handle going seven days in a row.
posted by BullpenPro at 04:22 PM on March 08, 2006
The reception to the Won-Lost Standings was generally favorable, so I am submitting an update through yesterday's games. Also, I want to brag about my ridiculous record. (Division names have been changed to protect... well, nobody really. On a whim, I'm going with Hall of Fame umpires.) TEAM W-L PCT GB JOCKO CONLAN DIVISION NoMich 9-2 .818 -- YukonGold 9-2 .818 -- tselson 8-3 .727 1 catfish 8-3 .727 1 danostuporstar 8-3 .727 1 thatweirdguy2 8-3 .727 1 Folkways 8-3 .727 1 BILL KLEM DIVISION DrJohnEvans 9-2 .833 -- WeedyMcSmokey 9-2 .833 -- wfrazerjr 9-2 .833 -- qbert72 8-3 .727 1 grum@work 8-3 .727 1 gspm 8-3 .727 1 mkn 8-3 .727 1 CAL HUBBARD DIVISION njsk8r20 10-1 .909 -- BullpenPro 10-1 .909 -- holden 9-2 .818 1 JJ 9-2 .818 1 owlhouse 8-3 .727 2 goddam 7-4 .636 3 chicobangs 7-4 .636 3 NESTOR CHYLAK DIVISION willthrill72 9-2 .818 -- Ying Yang Mafia 9-2 .818 -- skydivedad 8-3 .727 1 rocketman 7-4 .636 2 chris2sy 7-4 .636 2 skydivemom 7-4 .636 2 wingnut4life 6-5 .545 3 RON LUCIANO DIVISION Baseball Prospectus 10-1 .909 -- As usual, formatting sucks. Feel free to check my work. Mistakes will be made. Please keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times.
posted by BullpenPro at 04:33 PM on March 08, 2006
you can't have teams playing seven consecutive days in the first round. They're playing 30-man rosters. They have 15 pitchers. No way you can't play 7 consecutive days even with some pitch count restrictions with that many pitchers. I mean, let's put some pitching strategy back into the hands of the managers, not the tournament officials. Pitching strategy is an important part of the game, even during the playoffs. If my plea can't be heard, I'll settle for a day off in the middle of pool play, and start the whole thing a day earlier. So there.
posted by qbert72 at 05:55 PM on March 08, 2006
From low-middle to third place! GO CANADA EH
posted by mkn at 07:22 PM on March 08, 2006
First, let me say: FILTHY CANADIANS!! I curse the day we let you secede from the Union to form your bi-lingual winterland. Adam Stern, you vex me unmerciful. Okay. Looking at a sample of the boxscores to date, only in rare instances has a team used fewer than 5 pitchers in a game. The average is probably between 5 and 6. Additionally, nearly every single starting pitcher has been allowed to reach his 60 pitch limit. The rules, as they are right now, state that a pitcher must "Not pitch until a minimum of four days have passed since he last pitched, if he threw 50 or more pitches when he last pitched." Assuming that the WBC would take a hard-line stance on this issue to protect the pitchers, it just doesn't seem practical to conduct a seven game first round, even with a day off in the middle. Take that, you theorizing... filthy... Canadian... dah!
posted by BullpenPro at 07:32 PM on March 08, 2006
Damn you Prospectus! DAMN YOU!!!
posted by wingnut4life at 07:56 AM on March 09, 2006
I curse the day American soldiers were incapeable of defeating Canada in the Revolution and ensuring this tragedy. Here is the Leaderboard for those of us who don't want to scroll forever. I am only five points out! I will overcome you, damn baseball prospectus!
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:52 AM on March 09, 2006
Huh! Highest ranked single human being.... I didn't know these could feel so good...
posted by skydivedad at 09:14 AM on March 09, 2006
Looks like my day in the sun is over. At least I'm still in the top 5 human players.
posted by njsk8r20 at 09:32 AM on March 09, 2006
How good does it feel... /pats self on back....... almost as good as this ...........
posted by skydivedad at 10:37 AM on March 09, 2006
I curse the day we let you secede from the Union to form your bi-lingual winterland. What are you talking about exactly? Is the agony of defeat getting to you? Assuming that the WBC would take a hard-line stance on this issue to protect the pitchers, it just doesn't seem practical to conduct a seven game first round, even with a day off in the middle. Obviously, I think that removing that hard-line stance is the way to go: pitcher management belongs to the managers. I also think that making this tournament less single-game based, and more series-based, would be closer to real baseball. So I guess I'm advocating for moving it at another period of the year, when pitchers have completed their training. And I am, for now, the #2 single human being on that leaderboard. Wheee!
posted by qbert72 at 01:13 PM on March 09, 2006
Is the agony of defeat getting to you? You know, if you multiply USA's score in the game (6) by the number of innings played (9), then multiply Canada's score (8) by the number of innings needed for an official game (5) you would get.... 54/40 OR FIGHT!! (Laughs maniacally, then breaks into tears and bangs fist on desk.) And I am, for now, the #2 single human being on that leaderboard. Wheee! Which reminds me... I'm not going to post another update of the win-loss standings, because a) I don't want to detract any further from the real competition that DrJohn put so much effort into setting up; and b) it's looking more and more like a pathetic concoction I came up with to justify my crappy point total. Suffice to say that one of the ONLY TWO teams that have a leading 14-2 record is Baseball Prospectus. I am far too modest to reveal the other.
posted by BullpenPro at 01:48 PM on March 09, 2006
I'm still in the running! For the Costanza, that is...
posted by wingnut4life at 04:56 PM on March 09, 2006
Ouch! Last time I fell that far I dislocated my shoulder.
posted by njsk8r20 at 07:57 AM on March 10, 2006
I have replaced skydivedad this morning as the highest ranked single human being. What a glorious title! Fucking Baseball Prospectus
posted by qbert72 at 07:58 AM on March 10, 2006
so much for my 15 minutes....
posted by skydivedad at 08:30 AM on March 10, 2006
I think the Basball Prospectus is using illegal substances.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 11:59 AM on March 10, 2006
I saw Prospectus hanging out with Bonds' personal trainer.
posted by wingnut4life at 08:30 AM on March 11, 2006
There is no longer reason to post substitute standings. Justice is finally served. Prospectus, you are kindling.
posted by BullpenPro at 09:17 AM on March 11, 2006
Curse you grum@work.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 09:22 AM on March 11, 2006
Justice is Finally Served........... posted by BullpenPro at 9:17 AM CST on March 11 Just a reminder ............. There's a ton of games remaining...........careful now don't let your brains go to your head. This post begs the question Bullpenpro........ Are you always this stupid or is today a special occasion? The preceding post is for entertainment purposes only. Any similarities to a real insult are coincidental..........
posted by skydivedad at 10:47 AM on March 11, 2006
As sung by Dan Hill in First Blood: it's a long road, and some people have given 10 points to the Netherlands.
posted by qbert72 at 01:30 PM on March 11, 2006
Are you always this stupid or is today a special occasion? If you have to ask, you're not reading my other posts.
posted by BullpenPro at 11:38 PM on March 12, 2006
Tons of shockers yesterday! Korea is the WBC's Finland. Puerto Rico and Cuba are for real. And the US barely squeaks by Japan. Oh my! The Venezuela-Dominican game will eliminate one of those two powerhouses. And even then, they would still need to win their other game, which is in no way a sure thing.
posted by qbert72 at 08:59 AM on March 13, 2006
And Rogers Sportsnet proudly showed us NASCAR instead of any baseball. The Venezuela-Dominican game will eliminate one of those two powerhouses. Yeah, the format was set up to make the United States' road to the finals as easy as possible. More US = better television ratings. Much like the 2004 World Cup of Hockey was set up for Canada.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 09:35 AM on March 13, 2006
Damn it - when I checked this morning I was tied for the lead with the Baseball Prospectus people - now I'm 4 points back again. I didn't even get a chance to crow about it. (Even though my picks were essentially mathematical extrapolations based on bookies odds and have nothing to do with my knowledge of baseball - and as such, are really the picks of a highly clued-up team doing it commercially)
posted by JJ at 09:43 AM on March 13, 2006
It's nice to see that I'm back in the lead again............for the friggin' Costanza!
posted by wingnut4life at 10:59 AM on March 13, 2006
Look at me, I can be .... centerfield. Which is exactly where I am at in the standings. At least I am still doing better than I did in the Olympicks.
posted by njsk8r20 at 11:24 AM on March 13, 2006
DrJohnEvans could you kindly make a new thread as this one will be off my list the minute a new thread appears.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:41 PM on March 13, 2006
DrJohnEvans could you kindly make a new thread as this one will be off my list the minute a new thread appears.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:41 PM on March 13, 2006
Pool A:
- China
- Chinese Taipei
- Japan
- Korea
Pool B:- Canada
- Mexico
- South Africa
- United States
Pool C:- Cuba
- Netherlands
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
Pool D:- Australia
- Dominican Republic
- Italy
- Venuzuela
Rank the teams from 16-1. Each win by a team will be worth its rank in points. Here’s a schedule. Each team plays every other team in its pool once. The top two teams from each pool move on to the second round, grouped into two pools of four teams. Three more games. The top two teams in each pool then play each other to decide who goes to the finals. So each team is guaranteed three games. Each team that makes it to the second round is guaranteed six. The top two teams in each second-round pool get seven games. Finalists get eight. There are no consolation nor placement games. We’ll reuse the Men’s Hockey Olympicks tiebreaker system. S’okay?