Autumn Dreamin

Yo with a perfect day at the plate: 2-2, 2BB, 2B, 1R Luis made some solid contact with a hard hit RBI groundout and a deep fly to center left. The 0-3 isn't flashy, but his RBI was the first of the game and his run scored after reaching on a HBP ended up being the difference in the result. Cuba heads to the semis, and we'll be waiting a little longer to get our boys back in camp.

Moncada continues to punish baseballs for their misdeeds. Robert gets the game tying RBI later in the inning on a groundout (100mph off the bat, if he'd only elevate the ball more...) And in addition to our pair of Sox on the field, Team Australia and the booth are sending their respect and well wishes to Liam. Liam vs. Moncada/Robert definitely would've made for some interesting friendly fire matchups in this setting.

Nelson Cruz in RF for the first time in 5 years. Apparently he saw Eloy doing it and said "why not me?" ?

Maybe Juan Uribe's DR baseball academy will be a new pipeline of international talent for us lol

Eloy with another single to left, this one a 104.6mph grounder that the IF couldn't corral.

Colas gets a nod from Baseball America as the #3 hottest prospect in ST this week (after Josh Jung and Casey Schmitt):

109.8mph off the bat.

White Sox walk it off in the 9th, 5-4. Reyes reached on a passed ball after striking out. E. Gonzalez singled to left. Billy goes for a sac bunt, the pitcher overthrew to first, and Reyes scored on the error. Pedro "take the extra 90 whenever it's given" Grifol should be satisfied.

Cease final line: 3.1IP, 3H, 2R (1ER), 2BB, 4K.

FO, K, (pitch clock) K for a quick 2nd. I'm not going to start worrying about Cease based on early ST results. Him and Katz have been very clear that the plan was to ramp him up slower this year after his 2022 workload.

Jose Ruiz with a perfect 2IP for Venezuela, 2K 0H/BB, Gets his second W of the Classic.

Man, I'm just living for this TA7 recognition. We didn't see him for the back half of last season and it's like even Sox fans forgot what an absolute fucking dude he is.

I love this man.

TA70mph, man. Safe to say his legs are feeling good.

Pretty sure it's from yesterday when Graveman was scheduled to pitch.

TA7 waiting for the rest of the Team USA offense to show up...

With no hits and multiple misplays on defense, McNeil is having a rough time... and I'm quietly hoping everyone who wanted to trade Liam+ for him feels very silly.

Back to back to back bobbles in the IF (by everyone but TA) lead to a run for Mexico. Graveman called in to put out the fire with 2 on, 2 outs and gets the job done.

Padilla just pitched a scoreless 8th for PR. And Ruiz technically got the W for Venezuela yesterday.

I'm not 100% convinced we start with a traditional 4th OF on the bench at all, let alone a LH one.

Colas with the casual 2:1 HR to K ratio in ST.