What we don't really know.
DRPAWA said:
We all know what happens when good pitching meets good hitting - good pitching usually wins. However, what we will see is pitchers who are not at the top of their game because of the off season. You also have a bunch of DR hitters who have been playing the entire off season so their bats won't be rusty.
What you'll get therefore is a more even chance for the hitters to do damage. Therefore, I don't think that the USA or Venezuela pitching will be that dominant over the great hitters that DR will field. Besides, DR getting beat by Venezuela in the Carib series will only add to the fire under the DR bats.
I agree mostly, but to your first point in particular.
I offer the Far East teams, then, as a wild card. I don't know much about how they are preparing in particular for this event, but I do know they prepare very hard and seriously for competition.
That being said, they also have more to gain than most - in player exposure, if nothing else.
MLB hasn't had success in importing the best in Far East talent. It's happened more in the past decade, but nothing in comparison to the mining in the Latin Americas. This will be a huge opportunity for some to make a name for themselves and drive up interest - and price.
In addition, there is little to no familiarity between the hitters and their pitchers. That alone makes the pitching more potent. Add that together and I think it's a significant advantage.
Betting by the numbers, for every nickel you put on the favorites, you'd be wise to the bet a penny on the value of Venezuela, and the big underdogs of the Far East. Worth the risk in a wild card event like this, methinks.