Round 1 of the 2009 World Baseball Classic has concluded and was filled with some solid pitching, lots of HRs, late inning rallies and the stunning upset by Team Nederlands over Team Domincan Republic. Eight teams advance to Round 2.

Six games will be held at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. Round 2 of the tournament will feature USA and Venezuela (the two best teams from Pool C) and the Nederlands and Puerto Rico (from Pool D). Round 2 will be double elimination - the first two teams to lose twice will be eliminated. The remaining teams will advance to the semifinal round in Los Angeles.

The six games of Round 2's Pool 1 will be held at PETCO Park in San Diego. Round 2 of the tournament will feature Japan, Korea, Cuba and Mexico

Round 2 action begins with Pool 2 in Miami beginning Saturday March 14 with Venezuela vs Nederlands and USA vs Puerto Rico. Pool 1 will be played in San Diego beginning Sunday March 15 with Korea vs loser of Cuba/Mexico and Japan vs winner of Cuba/Mexico.

Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles will play host to the exciting finish of the 2009 WBC. The best four teams will meet on March 21 and 22 and play until the champion is crowned after the Finals game on March 23

The four teams I believe that will advance to Los Angeles  will be Cuba and Japan from Pool 1 and USA and Venezuela from Pool 2 with Team Japan emerging as the 2009 WBC Champion.

Edit Note:  Concerning the workload of pitchers in the WBC - yesterday both Jonathan Sanchez and Timmy "Porcelain" Lincecum pitched.  Lincecum threw 49 pitches for SF while Sanchez threw 56 pitches for PR.  Sounds about right to me,