“If I could get players like these guys, absolutely,” Larkin said Friday following the team’s workout in preparation for the start of round two.
Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Chipper Jones and company will face Puerto Rico tonight. The surprising Netherlands will play Venezuela in the opening game.
Larkin will fill in for U.S. manager Davey Johnson, who is in St. Petersburg to attend the wedding of his stepson and is expected to rejoin the team Sunday.
“I’m excited, but this is Davey Johnson’s team,” said Larkin, a 12-time All-Star shortstop whose only managerial experience was with an Italian youth squad. “Davey has a game plan. I’m going to execute the game plan.”
That plan includes starting Jake Peavy, who struggled through his opening start last Saturday against Canada. The right-hander walked three and allowed two runs in three innings, throwing 58 pitches.
“They were strenuous,” Peavy said. “Obviously it’s March. The biggest thing is knowing where you’re at and not trying to do too much. In June I’ll do things differently. I’ll have a better feel. But it’s March for everybody. I feel as good as I can at this time of year, and I expect to do well.”
Peavy said he should be able to throw 75 or 80 pitches, which could allow him to go five innings or more.
Starting for the Puerto Ricans will be right-hander Javier Vazquez, who combined with three relievers on a six-hit shutout in their opening game against Panama.
“Obviously the United States has a much deeper lineup, and guys are All-Stars most of their careers,” Vazquez said. “Even though it’s spring training for us, when you’re on the mound, even in spring training, you want to go out and do a good job. My job tomorrow is to try to go out there and beat the USA.”
Missing from the field is the Dominican Republic, touted as a top contender to win the tournament. The Dominicans were eliminated when the Netherlands upset them twice in the first round in Puerto Rico.
“I was surprised when they beat them the first time,” Jeter said. “I was shocked when they beat them the second time.”
The absence of the Dominicans eases the U.S. team’s path to the finals at Dodger Stadium beginning next weekend. But first the Americans must deal with a Puerto Rican team that went 3-0 at home in the opening round, outscoring opponents 15-1 and batting .316.
The games will be played in the Florida Marlins’ ballpark. Marlins senior vice president Claude Delorme said ticket sales have been brisk recently, and he anticipates a crowd of 30,000 for the game.
