It's the swansong for baseball in the Olympics, at least for the next eight years. So will Team USA go out and make a statement? One thing is certain: They'll have tough competition.
Japan won the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and its top professional players are playing in Beijing. Cuba is the defending champion with another squad. The United States team consists of top minor-leaguers. Others in the field include Canada, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, The Netherlands and the host Chinese.
My prediction:- GOLD: Japan
- SILVER: Cuba
- BRONZE: United States
