Game of the day on Wednesday? That would have to be the 8:30pm game in Pool A between Great Britain and the USA. The USA has won four in a row after an opening night shellacking at the hands of New Zealand. Great Britain started slow, dropping their first two, including a one run loss to the Philippines that they wish they could have back, but has won three in a row since then, with the tournament’s biggest upset to date, the win over Japan Monday night. They showed some intestinal fortitude Tuesday with a come-from-behind win over Mexico Tuesday, after Mexico took a lead with a 4 run 5th inning.
The Great Britain v. USA game Wednesday has big medal round implications. Want to sneak peek to see who the two play Thursday? I’ll save you the trip:
UNITED STATES VS MEXICO
GREAT BRITAIN VS BOTSWANA
Let’s cut to the chase – New Zealand has been taking batting practice all week, waiting for the playoffs to begin, with the top spot locked up. Second place — and with it the all important “double life” is decided Wednesday night at 8:30pm. If Great Britain wins, then they will have beaten the other two teams who would have at least 2 losses, and would grab the 2 spot and double life, with the USA and Japan in 3rd and 4th.
A couple of people told me last fall that “Great Britain is a better team than people realize” . They have already proven that, most notably with the win over Japan. But they could take European softball to a whole new level with a win over their former colony Wednesday night.
If the USA wins, then 2nd is theirs and 3rd and 4th could be up for grabs amongst three or four teams, with Japan and Great Britain the favorites. But Great Britain’s lingering concern is that the opening day loss to the Philippines could come back to haunt them.
* Great Britain is 3-2 with games remaining against the USA and Botswana. Likely result, either 5-2 or 4-3. Great Britain beat Japan but lost to the Philippines.
* Japan, at 3-2, has the worst of it, playing New Zealand Thursday, after Denmark on Wednesday. Barring an upset of epic proportions, Japan finishes 4-3, or 3-4 if they stumble against Denmark. Japan beat the Philippines but lost to Great Britain.
* The Phillipines are 2-3, but play Botswana and Denmark, so likely 4-3 or 3-4. The Phillipines beat Great Britain but lost to Japan.
* Denmark is 2-3, with Japan and the Philippines left. Likely result is 3-4, or 2-5. Win out would put them at 4-3, but their hill appears the toughest to climb.
Pool A? The biggest game – other than Canada’s win over Australia was Tuesday night when Canada fought off Venezuela. Canada finishes with South Africa and Puerto Rico and should run the table, Australia holding the 2 spot and double life, while the South American countries, Venezuela and Argentina appear poised to grab the 3 and 4 spots. Venezuela has the easier road, playing the same two teams Wednesday and Thurdsay as Canada, just in reverse order, Puerto Rico and South Africa. Should Venezuela win out, they would finish pool play at 5-2. Argentina, on the other hand, still has to play Australia, and then a gimme versus Indonesia. Argentina could finish 3-4 and still get into the medal round. For Venezuela fans dreaming about Argentina upsetting Australia, and both clubs finishing 5-2 – remember that the Aussies drilled Venezuela on opening day, 7-0. The double lifes are going to Canada and Australia.
Have a different view? Email me, jim (at) fastpitchwest (dot) com
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