With five games in the books at the 37th World Cup in Taiwan, BaseballdeWorld takes a look at the performances each team in Group B heading into the final push for the tournament championship.

CUBA (5-0)
What is there left to say about the nine-time defending World Cup champions? The Tiger Woods of international baseball, the Cubans will clinch the group top seed with a win over Thailand on Tuesday. Even if this team does not win the gold – and that’s a big “if” – Cuba has quietly turned in another superb performance with outfielder Freddie Cepeda and multi-batting champion Osmani Urrutia both enjoying success with the lumber.
Schedule: Thailand, Netherlands
Projected Finish: 7-0, First

AUSTRALIA (4-1)
The Aussies will clinch the number two seed in the group with a victory Tuesday against a German squad that entered the tournament – according to one German website – with no hope for success. Australia remains on a collision course with Cuba to determine who will reach this year’s World Cup title game. Speedy centerfielder Trent Oeltjen has been on fire at the plate while Travis and Adam Blackley have anchored one of the tourney’s best collection of launchers.
Schedule: Germany, Canada
Projected Finish: (6-1), Second

KOREA (3-2)
The Koreans have the next easiest path to the quarter-finals with a victory over the Netherlands on Tuesday assuring their ticket to the next round. Seung-Hwa Lee and Joo Chan Kim have been the best hitters while Won-Jun Chang (1-0) and Seung-Ho Lee (1-0) have been the Koreans best options on the mound.
Schedule: Netherlands, Germany
Projected Finish: 5-2, Third

CANADA (3-2)
The Canadians control their own destiny and a win over Venezuela would give Canada the last remaining quarter-final slot from the group. Top hitters includes Jimmy Van Ostrand, Matt Rogelstad, and Kevin Nicholson. On the mound, Canada has been paced by James Avery, Jonathan Lockwood, and Jamie Richmond.
Schedule: Venezuela, Australia
Projected Finish: 4-3, Fourth

NETHERLANDS (3-2)
The Dutch need a win over Korea on Tuesday in the worst way after losing to Canada this past Sunday. A loss to the Koreans and the Dutch only chance to advance lies in the Canadians losing both their remaining games. If that happens, the Dutch must still beat Cuba on Wednesday to reach the next round. The Dutch are swinging the bats well with Vince Rooi and Dirk van’t Klooster leading the way at the plate.
Schedule: Korea, Cuba
Projected Finish: 3-4, Fifth

VENEZUELA (1-4)
This team was supposed to advance to the quarter-finals with ease but they never had a chance in this tough group. The Venezuelans can still salvage their tournament with wins over Canada and Thailand but beating the Canadians might be asking too much from this bunch.
Schedule: Canada, Thailand
Projected Finish: 2-5, Sixth

GERMANY (1-4)
Germany has succumbed to the bright lights of the World Cup stage and struggled to even beat doormat Thailand. On paper the Germans have enough talent to be competitive in 2-3 games. Too bad the games are played on dirt and grass. Germany will end the tournament with a Texas Rangers-like ERA and a team batting average that Mario Mendoza would be proud of.
Schedule: Australia, Korea
Projected Finish: 1-6, Seventh

THAILAND (0-5)
The Thais are just happy to be at the party and almost came away with a historic victory in a narrow 2-0 setback to Germany. Thailand, which replaced an excused China squad, was used as a “sparring” partner by opposing teams. Somsak Sarnwit and Jirapod Srisaipet have been the top hitters for Thailand.
Schedule: Cuba, Venezuela
Projected Finish: 0-7, Eight

Tags: World Cup