Germany leans on a structured, well-rested pitching staff that allows them to suppress opponent offense and keep games close, operating with multiple arms ready in the bullpen. Spain, acting as the host, relies on experienced professional batters to generate runs, but their pitching depth is heavily compromised. They played a dense block of friendlies right before this tournament, taxing their arms significantly.
The disparity in rest is massive here. Germany's bullpen had four days of rest after finishing their warm-up series, whereas Spain was heavily used in a four-game series that left them with minimal recovery time. Furthermore, Spain is missing key pitchers from their championship squad, severely thinning their available pitching depth. Germany will look to keep the game controlled early behind their veteran starter, and if they can force Spain's starter out early, the fatigued Spanish bullpen will be exposed. That's why I am siding with Germany.
