World Baseball Classic 2013: Day 5 Results, Recap and Analysis

Cuba and Japan entered the only game on Day 5 having already secured spots in the next round. The undefeated Pool A counterparts were simply playing for seeding purposes after dispatching challenges from China and Brazil.

For Japan, it's no surprise. The Japanese squad took home the championship in each of the first two World Baseball Classic events and was viewed as a strong contender once again this year. While Cuba was expected to advance, the level of dominance it's shown was unexpected.

Let's recap Cuba's victory over the two-time defending champs before looking ahead to what the second round will bring for each of the countries.

Pool A: Cuba (3-0) def. Japan (2-1), 6-3

Another terrific performance from Cuba, which finishes play in the opening round with 23 runs scored and just five allowed. Yasmany Tomas hit a monster home run to lead off the third inning, Frederich Cepeda doubled home Jose Fernandez in the fourth, and Cuba cruised from there.

The biggest question coming into the tournament for Cuba was its pitching. Any concerns in that area were wiped away after another strong showing from the pitching staff. Starter Wilber Perez tossed three shutout innings, and the bullpen followed suit until the ninth.

Jose Abreu added an RBI single in the sixth, and Alfredo Despaigne put a cap on the victory with a three-run homer in the eighth. The combination of power and pitching Cuba put on display throughout the first round sends a message to the other nations, including those set to begin Pools C and D this week.

Japan mounted a rally in the ninth inning thanks to some wildness from Cuban relievers. It loaded the bases with one out—all courtesy of walks—but could only muster three runs before Cuba finally closed the door for the win.

Pool 1 for Second Round Set

The advancement and seeding of Cuba and Japan has set up the bracket for the first half of the second round. Cuba will face the Netherlands, which finished second in Pool B, and Japan takes on group winner Chinese Taipei.

Pool 1 will use a modified double-elimination format that will see two of the four teams advance to the semifinals in San Francisco. Play begins Thursday night (U.S. time), and all six games in the pool will take place at the Tokyo Dome.

Given Cuba's success in the opening round and Japan's unmatched track record in the event, it wouldn't be a surprise to see both of the Pool A representatives in the final four. Cuba is definitely the team to beat in the early going.