World Baseball Classic 2013 Bracket: Latest Standings Through Early Play
In Pool A, Cuba and Japan have clinched a trip to the next round. The victor of the two teams on March 6 will determine the winner and the runner-up for the group.
Pool A
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Cuba | 2-0 |
| 2 | Japan | 2-0 |
| 3 | China | 1-2 |
| 4 | Brazil | 0-3 |
Cuba followed up its 5-2 win over Brazil with a 12-0 thumping of China on Monday. Cuba is a wild card this year, led by Jose Dariel Abreu, who smacked a grand slam en route to five RBI against China. Considerable buzz continues to surround the right-handed slugger.
In Pool B, Chinese Taipei is sitting pretty after defeating Australia and the Netherlands. Taipei has hit .283 as a team, scoring 12 runs in two games. The pitching staff has also been solid, posting a 2.00 ERA and 0.72 WHIP. The thrashing of the Netherlands on Sunday displayed a team effort by Taipei.
Even though Chinese Taipei lost to Korea in the final game of Pool B on Tuesday, the team had built up enough of a cushion in run differential that the 3-2 loss really didn't hurt. It still won the Pool and will play the loser of Wednesday's Cuba-Japan matchup.
The Netherlands secured a berth in the second round of the World Baseball Classic with a 4-1 victory over Australia. Baltimore Orioles' prospect Jonathan Schoop smacked a two-run homer in the second inning and the pitching carried the Dutch the rest of the way.
Pool B
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Chinese Taipei | 2-1 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 2-1 |
| 3 | Korea | 2-1 |
| 4 | Australia | 0-3 |
For a complete look at the WBC bracket, check out WorldBaseballClassic.com.
