Team USA lost to Venezuela on Tuesday night in the World Baseball Classic Championship. It was the second-straight championship game loss for the Americans as they also fell to Japan in 2023.
The loss, however, did not come without controversy. Many thought San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller wouldn’t be available after pitching Sunday night against the Dominican Republic. However, it was later decided that he would be available.
With the game tied 2-2 going to the top of the ninth, many Americans expected to see Miller take the mound. Instead it was Garrett Whitlock who ultimately conceded the losing run. After the game, manager Mark DeRosa revealed why he didn’t go to Miller.
‘‘Honoring the Padres,” DeRosa told insider Bob Nightengale postgame. “Had we taken the lead, he was coming in, but I wasn’t going to bring him in to a tie game.”
This rationale is either an excuse, or it is simply proof that DeRosa was the wrong choice to manage Team USA. Miller’s arm would have undergone the same exertion if he entered the game with the scored tied or if the Americans had a lead. He would’ve faced the same hitters regardless of the scoreboard.
DeRosa also had other options to use as a closer if the game later dictated the need for one. David Bednar, Jeff Hoffman and Will Vest also have experience closing out games for their respective teams.
This decision wasn’t the sole reason why Team USA lost Tuesday night, but it certainly didn’t do them any favors against a Venezuela team that fought until the very end and deservedly took home the gold.
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