Team USA faces a massive 8-0 deficit against Italy in the top of the sixth inning, a result that puts the Americans in significant danger of being eliminated from the World Baseball Classic (WBC) before the knockout round begins, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The lopsided score is particularly problematic for the United States due to the tournament's complex tiebreaker rules. The WBC utilizes a system that factors in runs allowed per defensive inning to determine standings in the event of a tie. Because Italy has managed to put up eight runs early in this contest, the United States has severely damaged its standing in the pool.
Per @JeffPassan, the current situation creates a scenario where if Mexico defeats Italy tomorrow, the United States could be officially eliminated from the tournament. This would be a shocking exit for a roster headlined by some of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball.
The American pitching staff has struggled to find answers for the Italian lineup, which took control of the game early. Fans and analysts are now closely watching the scoreboard, as every run allowed further complicates the path to the next round for the defending champions.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Sources & Original Reporting
