Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball · The Athletic

Italy Rolls Into the WBC Quarterfinals, Can They Win It All?

March 12, 2026·49 min·4 clips

How a simple stat like swinging strikes exposes which WBC teams have the bullpen edge in high-pressure games.

The hosts preview the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, analyzing matchups like Dominican Republic vs. Korea and USA vs. Canada with a focus on pitching strategies, bullpen strengths, and potential upsets. They share personal anecdotes and use unique stats to assess team chances, culminating in bold predictions for the tournament winner.

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