World Baseball Classic: Complete Projections for Second Round, Pool 1

The Netherlands, Cuba, Japan and Chinese Taipei advanced through from Pools A and B to make it to the second round of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Cuba and Chinese Taipei won Pools A and B respectively to make it to the second round, while Japan and the Netherlands were runners-up in Pools A and B respectively.

The second round of the tournament is a modified double-elimination format. This means that the first five games will be played just like a normal double-elimination tournament, but when the team from the loser's side makes it to the finals to play the team from the winner's side, they will only need to win one game as opposed to winning two like in a true double-elimination format.

The reason behind this is that both of these teams in the finals will be advancing to the next round regardless of the outcome of their final game against one another; that final game is just being used to determine who goes through as the pool winner and as the pool runner-up.

All games from Pool 1 of the second round can once again be seen on MLB Network, and all games will take place from the Tokyo Dome in Japan. All times listed in the schedule are EST.

Schedule

March 7, 10 p.m.- Netherlands vs. Cuba

March 8, 5 a.m.- Japan vs. Chinese Taipei

March 9, 5 a.m.- Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser

March 10, 6 a.m.- Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner

March 11, 6 a.m.- Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser

March 12, 6  a.m.- Game 5 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner

Predictions

Japan (3-0)

It was not a perfect run for the Japanese side through Pool A play, but they will make it a perfect run through the second round.

The team opens up with a tough test from Chinese Taipei in the second round, which they will be able to get through to advance into Game 4. There they will meet the winner of the Netherlands/Cuba game, most likely Cuba. After winning that they will secure a spot in the next round, but will stay play one more game to determine their seed.

Japan will win the final game as well to win Pool 1 and advance through to the semifinals.

Chinese Taipei (2-2)

Whoever comes out of the loser's bracket to make the finals will end up having to play four games in Pool 1. As indicated by their projected 2-2 record, that team will be Chinese Taipei.

Chinese Taipei will slip early in Pool 1 play against a very strong Japan side. After that they will play their next game against the loser of the Netherlands/Cuba game, most likely Netherlands. The loser of that game will be eliminated from the tournament, but Chinese Taipei will be able to get the win and get through.

They will then take on the loser of Game 4, which will likely be Cuba. If they win that elimination game they will clinch a spot in the next round, but will still have to play Japan one more time to determine the winner and runner-up of the pool.

Ultimately, Japan will beat them in the final game, but both teams will advance.

Cuba (1-2)

The Cuban side went undefeated in Pool A play, which makes them a strong favorite to advance into the semifinals, but that will not happen for Cuba.

The team will win their first game against the Netherlands to advance one game away from the semifinals. They will then likely play Japan in Game 4 but expect them to come up short and take on Chinese Taipei in Game 5. They will also come up short in Game 5 and be eliminated from the World Baseball Classic.

Netherlands (0-2)

The Netherlands will see their World Baseball Classic semifinal dreams die very quickly in the second round. They will lose to Cuba in their first game and then go to an elimination game against the loser of the Japan/Chinese Taipei game.

After losing that the tournament will come to an end for the Netherlands.

Final Line

The pools are obviously getting more competitive as we advance in the tournament, and that makes it very difficult to determine a winner. Ultimately though, Japan and Chinese Taipei are the most well-rounded teams and will thus make it through to the semifinals.

Make sure to check back and see all the previews for each game of the 2013 World Baseball Classic.