loanDepot Park is set to be the scene of a historic final on March 17. However, while Venezuela arrives with the momentum of having eliminated powerhouses such as Japan and Italy, the United States team is walking a tightrope. Despite having a roster full of superstars, the performance has left more doubts than certainties in this World Baseball Classic.
To avoid a defeat that would be classed as a monumental failure, manager Mark DeRosa and his team must adjust a couple of areas.
The risk of the United States with Nolan McLean
The decision to entrust the final opener to Nolan McLean has raised eyebrows among analysts. While the Mets prospect showed electric dominance early in his start against Italy, his collapse in the second inning was a red flag. McLean allowed home runs to Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci that put the team against the wall.
Against a Venezuelan lineup that lives off contact hitting and speed, McLean cannot afford to lose the strike zone or elevate his pitch count early. If Venezuela manages to decipher him in the first three innings, the U.S. will be forced to resort to a bullpen that has shown serious cracks.
A bullpen that does not provide security in the United States
Beyond the stellar arms of David Bednar and Mason Miller, the American bullpen has been inconsistent. The memory of the game against Italy is still fresh: Ryan Yarbrough and Brad Keller could not contain the damage, allowing runs at moments of maximum tension that ended up costing them the game in the group stage.
Venezuela, on the other hand, has shown enviable strength in its bullpen. In its recent 4-2 victory over Italy, its relief pitchers threw 7.2 scoreless innings. If the game is close in the last third, the balance seems to tip in favor of the South Americans.
On the other hand, the atmosphere in the stadium cannot be ignored. Most of the fans in Miami are expected to be fervently supporting Venezuela. With a Venezuelan team brimming with confidence after silencing the defending champions (Japan), the United States needs more than just names on a piece of paper to reaffirm its dominance.
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