Welcome to The Sporting Tribune Podcast Network and a new episode of The Sporting Tribune Today, our every-weekday show on sports in Southern California, Las Vegas and Hawaii. In today's episode, host Grant Mona reacts to a devastating Tuesday night at loanDepot Park as Venezuela stunned the world to win its first World Baseball Classic title with a 3–2 victory over the United States.
Grant breaks down the “failure of the favorites”:
The Bats Go Cold: Despite a roster with 382 combined home runs, the U.S. managed just three hits all night. Grant questions how a lineup featuring Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber could go nearly silent until Bryce Harper’s heroic, game-tying two-run shot in the 8th.
The Rookie Gamble: Analysis of Mark DeRosa’s decision to start rookie Nolan McLean in the biggest game in U.S. history. While McLean was solid (4.2 IP, 4 K), Grant discusses if the lack of a veteran “stopper” early on allowed Venezuela to dictate the tempo.
The Eugenio Suárez Dagger: A look at the top of the 9th, where Eugenio Suárez doubled home Javier Sanoja to seal the U.S.’s second straight runner-up finish. Grant asks: Is it time to re-evaluate the “All-Star” construction of the roster versus the cohesive, high-energy units of Venezuela and Japan?
Segment Two: Dodgers Spring Update—Sasaki, Yamamoto, and Doc
We shift focus to Camelback Ranch, where the Los Angeles Dodgers are finalizing their rotation just nine days away from Opening Day.
Notes from the Cactus League:
Roki Sasaki’s Resilience: After a rough start to the spring (18.90 ERA), Sasaki dominated in a “B-game” against White Sox prospects, striking out nine over four “electric” innings. Grant brings you audio from Dave Roberts, who emphatically declared: “I just don’t see a world where he doesn’t break with us as a starter.” * Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Return: Fresh off his WBC stint with Japan, Yamamoto is back in camp. Grant shares Yamamoto’s thoughts on ramping up for the regular season and how he’s helping Sasaki adjust to the MLB ball and California lifestyle.
The Six-Man Strategy: Dave Roberts discusses the logistical challenge of managing a staff that includes Sasaki, Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and eventually Shohei Ohtani and Blake Snell. We hear the “Doc” philosophy on “pacing the marathon” to ensure the rotation is healthy for a three-peat bid.
The podcast can be heard every day on Apple, Google, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn and wherever you get your podcast and every weekday on the radio on KIRN 670 AM and 95.5 FMHD3 in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii.