First pitch: 3 storylines from Team USA’s stunning World Baseball Classic defeat to Mexico

USA-Mexico World Baseball Classic storyline: Is Team USA in trouble?

With Colombia beating Mexico 5-4 in 10 innings on Saturday and Mexico downing the United States on Sunday, every game certainly matters for Team USA moving forward in pool play. However, the final game of Pool C action could be one of the most important of the entire tournament as Colombia and Team USA will square off on March 15 at 10 p.m. (Eastern). The winner of that game could play a big role in which team advances to the next round as each pool will send just two teams into the WBC quarterfinals.

So is Team USA in trouble? After one loss, no. However, another loss to Colombia (or Canada on Monday night) could make for a stunning early exit for the Americans.

The tie-breaking procedures that determine which teams advance are incredibly complicated, but Team USA allowing 11 runs to Mexico on Sunday night didn’t help the Americans’ cause for advancement. Allowing a high number of runs puts the USA at a disadvantage with the tie-breaking rules (which include lowest quotient of fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in games between the teams that are tied).

For Team USA moving forward, it’s very simple. If they win, they advance. While the drubbing at the hands of Mexico on Sunday was stunning, it certainly wasn’t a death sentence for Team USA’s chances of repeating as World Baseball Classic champions.