I'm torn theoretically between the standard "anything can happen in a short series" and the fact that, so far, no obviously inferior team has advanced, despite the fact that everyone has been playing very short series. The only possible "surprises" would have been either Canada or Panama advancing, but they wouldn't have been shocks.

Given random variations in short series, I'm somewhat surprised by the lack of upset eliminations in Round I.

look for cuba to get pounded today.
they have saved up all their relief pitchers for this game though

A classic Odelin v. Odalis pitching matchup today.

I'm home sick today, and this is the first Cuba game I've had the opportunity to watch. Those sure are some ugly uniforms, huh?

Nice hit by The Defector.

Yes, ugly as sin.

Down with Astros! Down with Astros!

Let me see if I've got this group right:

If both Game one winners (ie Cuba and Puerto Rico) win today, they are both through and the group is done - their game Wednesday will be for home field advantage in the semi-final.

If both Game One losers (ie Venezuela and Dominica) win today, then the last two games become straight elimination: win or go home.

If one Game one winner wins and the other loses, then:

The 0-2 team is still hoping that the 2-0 team goes 3-0; then they can generate a three-way 1-2 tie and try to win the tiebreaker.

The 2-0 team is not yet through - both 1-1 teams could win making for a three-way 2-1 tie.

The two 1-1 teams are probably in win-or-go-home mode in game three - if one wins and the other loses then the winner goes through and the loser goes home, but if both win or both lose, then there is a three-way tie and we're into tie-breakers.

So I'm hoping that Venezuela gets the same result as Dominica, and then the tiebreakers all go away and we get nice, straightforward win-or-lose baseball instead of counting runs against.

Hey, one of the Dominican fans has a Royals jersey on

Thanks for showing up Moises

"It doesn't get any easier here, Moises Alou coming up"
(idiotic sportscaster quote following walk to David Ortiz)

That was practically one of those Barry Bonds, walk a run in to prevent a grand slam, kind of situations.

Nice one Paulino!