How good are the Dominicans?

Adam, from Chicago--the best World Cup soccer analyst I know--asks whether the D.R. is the best team in this thing.

 

It certainly looks that way right now. My guess is that the scare Cuba got from Panama was something of a fluke and the Cuba team will get better with each round. At their best, they appear to have more weapons than the D.R., but Dominican power is producing--seven homeruns through Thursday--and they may just overpower most of these pitching staffs.

 

Will the US get better with playing time? Almost certainly, but how much is a real question. A-Rod and Griffey still look tight and they need to produce to keep pace with the Latin teams. Canada exposed a middle relief problem if Willis has another poor start. It seems absurd that U.S. chances are falling on the shoulders of Jake Peavy, however talented, and Roger Clemens. I'm as impressed with Rocket as the next guy, but everyone knows it takes him some time to get his hydraulics going. The D.R. could put up seven runs before he breaks a sweat. The round of 8 should be very interesting.

 

Sidenote Adam: When I was in B.A. last month, Maradona pronounced Lionel Messi "the next Maradona." Nothing like absurb expectations to destroy a young talent, right? Most Argentine aficionados I talked to say the roster is as talented as any for 2006, but few were confident that it could come together as a team.