What lies ahead for Team Italy in the 2017 World Baseball Classic
NEW RULE. The 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC) officially begins play on March 6 with a new rule which gives teams the option of replenishing their pitching staffs. Divided into four pools with four teams in each pool, the 16-team WBC tournament includes a designated pitcher pool which is available for teams to use in different rounds. The designated pitchers pool (DDP) prevents pitchers from working too much during Spring Training, a period when pitchers are usually easi
ng into their throwing programs. It attracts more MLB pitchers to the international tournament by allowing them to be available to pitch in the competition without committing to all three rounds of play. Designating no more than 10 DDP pitchers, teams must have at least one but no more than two on the roster for each round or else they lose the right to use the pool for the rest of the tourney. The team can replace pitchers who are part of the pool with other DDP pitchers as they advance in the tournament. With the implementation of the newly-created designated pitcher pool, Team Italy manager Marco Mazzieri has added pitchers Frank De Jiulio, Jose Escalona and Filippo Crepaldi to the existing 28-man Azzurri 2017 WBC Roster.
THE POOLS. Team Italy and host Mexico are in Pool D along with Venezuela and 2013 WBC runner-up Puerto Rico with play slated from March 9-13 at Jalisco’s Estadio Telmex de Atletismo in Guadalajara. Pool C host Team USA is in good company with 2013 WBC Champion Dominican Republic, Colombia and Canada at Marlins Park in Miami from March 9-13. The top two teams from Pools C and D advance to Pool F, which will be played at Petco Park in San Diego from March 14-19. The WBC championship round takes place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles from March 20-22, with semifinal games held the first two nights followed by the championship game on March 22.
MEXICO. Team Italy heads south of the border to face a Mexico squad that not only has home field advantage but also boasts a roster loaded with homegrown talent. Team Italy manager Marco Mazzieri fights back with his army of 12 seasoned MLB players, numerous up-and-coming prospects, and spirited Italian national team players ready for combat on March 9 in Jalisco. Adrián González (Dodgers), who has played for Mexico in every WBC since its inception in 2006, leads the Mexicans with the guidance of his brother Edgar González managing the team. Mexico seeks revenge against a ‘never say die’ Italian squad that attacked closer Sergio Romo (Dodgers) to pull off a miraculous 6-5 come-from-behind victory in the opening game of the 2013 WBC in Scottsdale, Arizona. Having pitched for Mexico in the recent 2017 Caribbean Series, Romo approaches the WBC ready for action and redemption with bullpen amigos Roberto Osuna (Blue Jays), Joakim Soria (Royals), Fernando Salas (Mets) Vidal Nuno (Dodgers), Oliver Perez (Nationals) and Carlos Torres (Brewers). Starting pitchers for Mexico include Jaime Garcia (Braves), Yovani Gallardo (Mariners), Miguel Gonzalez (White Sox) and MLB veteran Jorge De La 
Rosa. Kris Davis (Athletics) provides pop at the plate based on his 42 home runs last year, while fellow outfielder and Dodgers #2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline Alex Verdugo brings sizzle to the Mexican lineup.
VENEZUELA. Team Italy will use a day off on March 10 to strategize and prepare their troops for the March 11th clash with Venezuela. With over 23 years of MLB player experience under his belt, 49-year-old Omar Vizquel is more than qualified for his first opportunity to manage egocentric Venezuela. On the MLB Network broadcast this week, Vizquel admitted that his roster had “a lot of egos not wanting to be on the bench.” Its plethora of MLB All-Star royalty includes pitchers King Felix Hernandez (Mariners), Martin Perez (Rangers), Hector Rondon (Cubs), Bruce Rondon (Tigers) and Francisco Rodriguez (Tigers), catchers Salvador Perez (Royals) and Robinson Chirinos (Rangers), infielders Jose Altuve (Astros), Freddy Galvis (Phillies), Martin Prado (Marlins) and Alcides Escobar (Royals), and outfielders Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies), Ender Inciarte (Braves), and Odubel Herrera (Phillies). Because Venezuela eliminated the Italians from the 2009 WBC competition in Toronto, this critical game for Team Italy takes on significantly more meaning than bragging rights for Venezuela-born Italian catcher Francisco Cervelli. His father, Manuel, emigrated from Italy to Venezuela at age 5. “The economy was good in Venezuela in the ’60s or ’70s,” said Cervelli, who turns 31 in March. “It was really good so they just tried to make a new life.” After Cervelli’s family founded a transportation company there, his father married a Venezuelan and planted new family roots. He said his father is proud and happy that his son is representing Italy. “His blood is Italian,” Cervelli said, smiling. “You know, he cries for Italy’s soccer team. He’s Italian, 100 percent.”
PUERTO RICO. Puerto Rico, the runner-up of the 2013 WBC, eliminated Team Italy in the second round of play when they rallied late in the eighth inning from
a 3-1 deficit to win 4-3 in Miami. Team Italy gets its chance to turn the tables on Puerto Rico and pull off an upset on March 11. Recently crowned champions of the 2017 Caribbean Series, Puerto Rico with manager Edwin Rodriguez in charge is out to make amends in the 2017 WBC with a powerhouse of talent fronted by a pair of MLB veteran outfielders in Carlos Beltran (Astros), and Angel Pagan coupled with newcomers Eddie Rosario (Twins) and Enrique Hernández (Dodgers). Promising superstars Carlos Correa (Astros), Francisco Lindor (Indians), Javier Baez (Cubs), T.J. Rivera (Mets) and Kennys Vargas (Twins) comprise a stellar Puerto Rico infield. Catchers Yadier Molina (Cardinals) and Roberto Perez (Indians) set the tone for the Puerto Rico pitching staff with their excellent game-calling instincts. Starting pitchers Seth Lugo (Mets), Hector Santiago (Twins) and Jose De Leon (Rays) get support from a strong cast of relievers including Alex Claudio (Rangers), Edwin Diaz (Mariners), Joe Jimenez (Tigers), Giovanni Soto (White Sox), and Joe Colon (Indians). Puerto Rico reliever Miguel Mejia (Cubs) brings momentum to the Puerto Rico pitching staff after pitching two scoreless innings against Mexico to pick up the win in the recent 2017 Caribbean Series championship game in Culiacan, Mexico.
POSSIBLE TIEBREAKER. As with the 2013 WBC, the first round will again be a round-robin format with the top two teams advancing to one of two second-round pools. However, for the first time in the international tournament’s history, a single-elimination tiebreaker game will be played if necessary to determine the second advancing team in both the first and second rounds. In the case of the first round in Jalisco, the tiebreaker contest would be played on March 13. The two top teams will then move on to the second round of action slated to begin on March 14 at Petco Park in San Diego.
by Roberto Angotti
