My World Baseball Classic Prediction

On the eve of the first game, here's my prediction on the outcome of the first World Baseball Calssic.

Round 1:
Winners Pool A: Japan, Korea
Winners Pool B: USA, Mexico
Winners Pool C: Cuba, Puerto Rico
Winners Pool D: Dominican Republic, Venezuela

Round 2:
Winners Pool 1: USA, Japan
Winners Pool 2: Cuba, Dominican Republic

Semifinals:
Winner Pool 1: USA
Winner Pool 2: Cuba

Overall Winner: USA

So this is how I think it will play out. I have no doubt whatsoever who the winners in Round 1 will be. In Round 2, my only doubt in Pool 1 is maybe Korea, whereas Pool 2 can really go any which way, though I think if any team could take a spot away from Cuba or the DR, it's Venezuela. From then on, it's just hunch and speculation.

Though personally, it would be perfect if Cuba made the finals and lost. If Cuba makes the finals, with their near-perfect track record in amateur ball, the Cuban people will then hopefully be seen as a talent powerhouse in the level of the Dominincan Republic. And if Cuba loses in the finals, castro won't have the satisfaction of returning home with a trophy.

Play ball, ¡coño!