Winter League Baseball Playoff Preview 2020-2021

From the desk: FANÁTICO DEL BÉISBOL DE INVIERNO

!FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Liga Profesional de Beisbol Roberto Clemente

Congratulations are in order for even completing an abbreviated regular season.  Puerto Rico's four participating league members are now seeded and set for the first round of playoffs scheduled to begin on Saturday.  Just so you know, I root for Caguas.

• Caguas; Live Audio and Streaming 

⚾  TWITTER

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FINAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS:

1. Criollos de Caguas        14-4
2. Indios de Mayaguez      13-5
3. Ateniensas de Manatí    7-11
4. Roberto Alomar/RA12   2-16

PLAYOFFS (TEAM & LEAGUE FACEBOOK PAGES)

• Indios de Mayaguez vs. Atenienses de Manatí

• Roberto Alomar/RA12 vs. Criollos de Caguas

Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional

The most recent games between Los Magallanes versus Los Cardenales was postponed due to COVID.  Otherwise, all teams compete in a round-robin format.  Teams play against one another six times.  The top six team advance to the first round of playoffs.

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CENTRAL STANDINGS

1. Caribes de Anzoategui        16-14
2. Leones de Caracas             14-16
3. Tigres de Aragua                13-15
4. Tiburones de la Guaira         9-20

WEST STANDINGS

1. Bravos de Margarita            18-13
2. Navegantes de Magallanes   16-12
3. Cardenales de Lara             17-13
4. Aguilas de Zulia                  15-15

ROUND ROBIN GAMES of the DAY

• Bravos de Margarita vs. Cardenales de Lara

• Caribes de Anzoategui vs. Tiburones de la Guaira

• Leones de Caracas vs. Tigres de Aragua

• Aguilas de Zulia vs. Navegantes de Megallanes

Liga de Beisbol República Dominicana

LIDOM's regular season concluded just before Christmas.  After which, Los Estrellas (Stars) swept a best of three series against Los Leones (Lions) to earn the fourth playoff position.  The league's top four finishers now enter the best of seven semifinals.

• Los Estrellas feature Robinson Cano and Fernando Tatis Jr.; both players were signed by Orientales earlier this week.  Also representing the New York Mets is pitcher Oscar de la Cruz.
• Playing for Los Toros representing the New York Yankees are pitcher Domingo German, infielder  Miguel Andujar, and catcher Gary Sanchez.
• Los Aguilas feature former New York Yankee Melky Cabrera and former New York Met Juan Lagares.
• Representing the Mets on Los Gigantes is pitcher Jesus Reyes.

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FINAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS

1. Gigantes del Cibao    16-14
2. Toros del Este          16-14
3. Aguilas Cibaeñas      16-14
4. Estrellas Orientales   15-15
5. Leones Escogido       14-16
6. Tigres del Licey        13-17

PLAYOFFS

• Gigantes del Cibao vs. Estrellas Orientales

• Toros del Este vs. Aguilas Cibaenas

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

The ten-team league regular season is split into two halves.  Los Yaquis de Obregon captured the first half-title; Los Naranjeros de Hermosillo captured the second half-title and the number one seed.  The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs, which commence on Saturday.  By the way, through the years, I just gravitated towards the Naranjeros and became a fan.

⚾  TWITTER

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FINAL REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS

1. Yaquis de Obregón              37-22
2. Naranjeros de Hermosillo     33-23
3. Algodoneros de Guasave      31-26
4. Sultanes de Monterrey         29-27
5. Aguilas de Mexicali              30-28
6. Charros de Jalisco               30-29
7. Tomateros de Culiacán        29-29
8. Venados de Mazatlán           28-30
9. Mayos de Navojoa               23-36
10. Cañeros de Mochis              19-39

PLAYOFFS

• Venados de Mazatlan vs. Naranjeros de Hermosillo

• Yaquis de Obregon vs. Charros de Jalisco

• Tomateros de Culiacan vs. Algodoneros de Guasave

• Aguilas de Mexicali vs. Sultanes de Monterrey 

⚾   ⚾   ⚾   ⚾   ⚾   ⚾   ⚾   ⚾   ⚾

Winter League Baseball: Dominican League Round Robin Requires Tie-Breaker

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Liga Beisbol Profesional Dominicana

ROUND ROBIN FINAL STANDINGS:

• Estrellas de Orientales   11-7 (40-19)
• Leones de Escogito        10-8 (37-31)
• Toros del Este                10-8 (35-33)
• Tigres de Licey              5-13 (32-46)

SUNDAY, 13 JAN 2019

• After topping the circuit with a 29-12 regular season record, Los Estrellas de Orientales reaffirm their standing with a victory over los Tigres on Sunday, giving them a round robin best eleven victories, and a berth in LIDOM's championship series.
• Third place Los Toros defeat Escogito forcing a tie for second place.

MONDAY, 14 JAN 2019

• With both teams scoreboard watching, the battle for second place ensues.  Los Toros hand Orientales their seventh loss of the tourney with a 3-0 whitewashing led by starter Jenrry Mejia.  The former Mets pitcher allows no runs on seven hits through six innings, with just one walk and three strikeouts for the victory.  
• Escogito likewise roars to 7-0 whitewashing of los Tigres de Licey.  Backed by a 14-hit attack, Leones starter Enny Romero allows a mere two hits and no walks through six scoreless pitched with eight strikeouts for the victory.  

TUESDAY, 15 JAN 2019

• Los Leones de Escogito will now host Los Toros del Este in a one-game tie-breaker for the right to meet Los Estrellas de Orientales in LIDOM's championship series.

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Liga Beisbol Profesional Dominicana

TBD

vs.

Estrellas de Orientales

Winter League Baseball: Dominican Republic Awaiting Arrival of Robinson Cano

WINTER LEAGUE BEISBOL

2018~2019

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Republica Dominicana

est. 1951

ROUND ROBIN

(Through Jan. 14)

TOROS de ESTE

LEONES de ESCOGITO

TIGRES de LICEY

ESTRELLAS de ORIENTALES

Scoreboard, Boxscores, Gameday

N.Y. Mets: Winter League Roundup

• Robinson Cano is awaiting permission from the New York Mets to participate in the Dominican League postseason round robin tournament, according to LIDOM.com.  While still a member of the Seattle Mariners, the article says Cano promised los Estrellas de Orientales he would join the club should they qualify for round robin play.  The Stars held up their end of the deal by clinching a first place regular season finish with a league best 29-21 record.  Round robin play is already nine games into the tourney, with los Estrellas trailing the first place Toros by two games.  Cano, 36-years old, appeared in 80 games last season for the Mariners, slashing .303/.374.471, with 10 home runs and 50 RBI.

• Dilson Herrera, traded to Cincinnati in the Jay Bruce deal and since reacquired, is playing with los Tigres de Licey.  He perfectly exemplifies the unpredictability of prospects: to trade, or not trade away the future.  The Jay Bruce trade never sat well with me, due to my want for Herrera playing alongside Amed Rosario, and being defensively strong up the middle.  Suffice it to say Herrera has thus far proven himself to be somewhat of a bust.

• Juan Lagares appeared in seven games with los Aguilas de Cibaenas, going 6 for 20, with three extra-base hits.  The Eagles did not qualify for round robin play.  The oft injured Lagares, who turns 30-years old in March, finds himself square in the Mets center field mix again after  appearing in just 30 games last season, and averaging just 67 games played over his last three seasons.

• Old friend Jenrry Mejia is pitching for los Toros.  After eight starts, he owns a 2.22 ERA and 1.06 WHiP, allowing 24 hits through 28.1 innings pitched with 19 strikeouts.

• Beleaguered first baseman Dom Smith is also playing with los Toros, batting just .133 after seven games and 30 at-bats.

• Keep an eye on soon to be 28-year old right-hand reliever Tim Peterson, hurling for los Toros.  He completed his first full season at triple-A Las Vegas last season after two full tours at Binghamton.  At Vegas, he fanned 55 batters in 38.2 innings pitched last season for the 51s.  He has so far appeared in 14 winter games, posting four saves with a 3.07 ERA and 0.75 WHiP through 14.2 innings, and 21 strikeouts.

stats Mets.com


ICYMI:

• Mexican League Playoffs 
• Puerto Rico Playoffs 

Next: Venezuela; Cuba.

Preview: Serie del Caribe 2017

From the desk of: Winter League Baseball

SERIE del CARIBE
2017
CULIACAN, MEXICO

THE FIELD of FIVE

LIGA de BEISBOL PROFESIONAL DOMINICANA

The Dominican Republic leads all winter baseball circuits with 19 Serie del Caribe championships.

• 2016-17 LIDOM Title: Tigres del Licey defeat Aguilas Cibaenis.

Founded in 1907, Licey is a titan of international competition.  They lead all Dominican professional baseball clubs with 24 league titles.  Their 10 Serie del Caribe titles are the most by any Winter League organization, their last coming in 2008.  Licey has also run the table on three occasions, going undefeated in 1971, 1977, 1991 ... another Serie del Caribe record.


LIGA MEXICANA del PACIFICO

Mexico is the defending Caribbean champion (Venados de Mazatlan).  The LMP has emerged into a winter league power in recent years, winning four of the last six Serie del Caribe titles, and nine overall.

• 2016-17 LMP Title: Aguilas de Mexicali defeat Caneros de los Mochis.

• Culiacan, Mexico, home of los Tomateros de Culiacan, will serve as this year's host.  All games will be played in new Tomateros Stadium opened in 2015.  Click link for virtual view.

Founded in 1976, the Eagles of Mexicali have won four LMP titles, and earned their only Series del Caribe title in 1986.


LIGA de BEISBOL PROFESIONAL ROBERTO CLEMENTE

Puerto Rico is second behind the Dominican Republic with 14 Serie del Caribe titles.   They have gone 16 years (2000), however, since capturing their last.

• 2016-17 LBPRC Title: Criollos de Caguas defeat Cangrejeros de Santurce.

• ICYMI: LBPRC Serie Final Review, Criollos retire Ivan Rodriguez #7, and more

Founded in 1938, los Criollos de Caguas have won 17 league pennants, and three Serie del Caribe titles (1954, 1974, 1987), ranking them fifth among winter league clubs.


LIGA VENEZOLANA de BEISBOL PROFESIONAL

Next year's scheduled host, Venezuela has won seven Serie del Caribe titles, their last coming in 2009.

• 2016-17 LVBP Title: Aguilas de Zulia defeat Cardenales de Lara.

Founded in 1969, the Eagles of Zulia have won six LVBP titles, and earned a pair of Serie del Caribe victories in 1984 and 1989.


SERIE NACIONAL de CUBA

The original Confederation of Caribbean Baseball was comprised of Cuba, Panama, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.  Cuba won the inaugural Serie del Caribe of 1949, then a second in 1952.  Between 1956 through 1960, Cuba reeled off another five straight Caribbean titles.  After more than a half-century of non-participation, Cuba won the 2015 Serie del Caribe.

• 2016-17 SNC Title: Alazanes de Granma defeat Ciego de Avila.

Founded in 1977, this season marked los Alazanes de Granma first ever Serie Nacional title.  Granma is the former team of NYM outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

*         *         *

As part of the revolution in Cuba, Fidel Castro disbanded the county's professional baseball circuits. At the same time, Panama's professional league ceased operations as well.  As a result, the Serie del Caribe was suspended between the years 1961 through 1969.

Since 1961, all Cuban players remain amateurs within their nationalized baseball structure.

The years prior to 1961 are referred to as Stage One Serie del Caribe.

The four team Caribbean tournament resumed when the Dominican Republic joined the confederation in 1970 along with returning Venezuela and Puerto Rico, and when Mexico joined in 1971.

The era since 1970 through the present time is referred to as Stage Two.

Generally speaking, the United States trade embargo against Cuba has long prevented direct competition between nations, and impacted all winter league rosters where it concerned American players under contract with MLB.

Aside from perhaps the Pan-American Games and Olympics, the process of reintegrating Cuba into the greater baseball community of the Americas began in earnest with the 2006 World Baseball Classic.  After which, having Cuba rejoin Caribbean competition seemed just a matter of time.  In 2014 Cuba participated in their first Serie del Caribe since 1960, and a short year later captured their first Serie del Caribe title in 55 years, the country's eighth overall.

Despite the loosening of several restrictions, and suggestions of further attempts at normalizing relations, the embargo against Cuba still remains largely in place.

Now making their fourth straight reappearance in the Serie del Caribe, Cuba continues participating on an invitation basis extended by the four member confederation.

Despite the loosening of several restrictions, and suggestions of further attempts at normalizing relations, the embargo against Cuba still remains largely in place.

Winter Leagues: Road Teams Still Trending in Puerto Rico Serie Final

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Game One   Game Two   Game Three

GAME FOUR

Santurce   4

Caguas     1

FINAL

Parque Yldefonso Sola Morales

Caguas, Puerto Rico

Through four games of the LBPRC championship series, each team has failed to establish a home field advantage. 

Santurce's 4-1 victory Wednesday evening over Caguas was their second at Parque Sola Morales.   The series now shifts back to Hiram Bithorn Stadium on Thursday, where los Criollos have likewise won games One and Three.

Should this series go the distance, los Cangrejeroes de Santurce would host a decisive Game Nine.

*          *          *

Los Criollos and Cangrejeros dueled to a one all tie through six innings.

Santurce designated hitter Christian Vasquez led-off the top of the fifth with a triple, and would later score on a sac-fly.  Criollos left fielder Rusney Castillo wielded a quick response with a lead-off home run to right in the bottom of the sixth.

In the seventh, it was Christian Vasquez again whom knocked Criollos starter John Brownell out of the box.  After issuing a lead-off walk to first baseman Neftali Soto, Brownell surrendered a double to Vasquez, scoring Soto with what proved to be the game winning run.  After a pitching change, reliever Joel Pineiro then allowed another three hits, and Santurce's third run charged to Brownell.

An insurance run in the ninth gave Santurce their final margin of victory.

*          *          *

Caguas bats went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, and grounded into three double-plays.  Los Criollos are 0 for 10 in the last two games, and just 9 for 60 (.150) through ten post-season games with runners in scoring position.

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Dominican Republic

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Tigres del Licey

vs.

Aguilas Cibaenas

THURSDAY

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Cardenales de Lara

vs.

Aguilas del Zulia

THURSDAY

Winter Leagues: Criollos de Caguas take 2-1 series lead in Puerto Rico finals

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Criollos lead series 2-1

I - CAG 1; SAN 0

II - SAN 6; CAG 3

III - CAG 4; SAN 2

IV - Wednesday

GAME THREE

Caguas      4

Santurce   2

FINAL

Puerto Rico: David Vidal's HR is the difference as Criollos de Caguas win Game Three, and take 2-1 series lead against Cangrejeros de Santurce.

For a third straight game in this Serie Final, the home team failed to win.

Los Cangrejeros de Santurce fell for a second time to los Criollos de Caguas at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.  Los Criollos now own a 2-1 series lead, with Game Four scheduled for Parque Sola Morales on Wednesday.

A pair of fielding errors by Santurce second baseman Abiatal Avelino in the first inning paved the way for two unearned runs and an early lead for Caguas against Cangrejeros starter Hiram Burgos.

Making his third start of the post-season, Criollos right-hander Jose de la Torres made the hosts regret the errors of their ways, limiting them to just a pair of hits by lead-off batter and left fielder Drew Ferguson through the first 3.2 innings of the game.

Then the rain came...

After a brief delay, a home run to left off the bat of third baseman David Vidal in the top of the fourth gave Caguas some much needed breathing room.

As expected, the quiet didn't last.  The league's top team during the regular season inevitably threatened in the bottom of the sixth.  Jose de la Torre surrendered back to back singles, but regrouped to strikeout Cangrejeros first baseman Neftali Soto on three pitches.  On the next play, however, an error by Caguas shortstop Jack Lopez loaded the bases.  Abiatal Avelino then bounced to third base for a force, but first baseman Ruben Gotay was unable to handle David Vidal's throw to complete a double play.  The runner from third scored making it a 3-1 game.  Criollos manager Luis Matos then took the ball from Jose de la Torre and handed off to reliever William Oliver.  Santurce catcher Christian Vasquez promptly greeted him with a double to center, scoring one.  But Caguas escaped further damage when Avelino was thrown out at the plate while also attempting to score.

Caguas reliever Miguel Mejia took over pitching duties and pitched a scoreless seventh.

Then rain delayed the game a second time.

Upon resumption of play, Caguas handed off to reliever Ricardo Gomez for the bottom of the eighth. With two outs, los Cangrejeros put runners on the corners but failed to plate the tying run.

Caguas scored a sorely needed insurance run in the top of the ninth on DH Randy Ruiz' RBI double.

Gomez walked the lead-off batter in the bottom of the ninth, but got the next two Cangrejeros batters to pop up in the infield.  Left fielder Drew Ferguson kept Santurce's at-bat alive with a single to right, but shortstop Ivan DeJesus Jr. then flied to right ending the game.

Jose de la Torre earned the victory.  Ricardo Gomez notched his fifth save of the playoffs.

WINTER LEAGUES ROUND-UP:

Dominican Republic

The final four round-robin is done.  With Tuesday's Tigres del Licey victory over Leones del Escogido, coupled with Gigantes del Cibao loss against Aguilas Cibaenas, the Dominican League serie final is set.  Licey will play against Aquilas for the championship.  With a 27-23 regular season record, the now eliminated Gigantes finished just a game ahead of Licey, and a mere two games ahead of third place Aguilas.

Winter Leagues Baseball; LINKS

WINTER LEAGUES BASEBALL

MEXICO * DOMINCAN REPUBLIC * PUERTO RICO * VENEZUELA

Mexico Pacific League:

Pacific League Web Site:

http://www.ligadelpacifico.com.mx/

Team Web Sites:

http://www.aguilasdemexicali.com.mx/index.asp
http://www.naranjeros.com.mx/
http://www.yaquis.com.mx/
http://www.mayosbeisbol.com/
http://www.verdes.com.mx/
http://www.clubalgodoneros.mx/
http://www.tomateros.com.mx/
http://www.venadosdemazatlan.com/



Venezuela Professional Baseball League:

Venezuelan League Web Site:

http://lvbp.com/scripts/home/index.asp


Team Web Sites:
http://www.leones.com/
http://www.magallanesbbc.com.ve/
http://www.tiburones.net/
http://www.tigresdearagua.net/
http://www.aguilas.com/
http://www.cardenalesdelara.com/
http://www.caribes.net/
http://www.bravosdemargarita.com/scripts/home/indexnew.php



Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League:

Dominican League Web Site:

http://www.lidom.com.do/

Team Pages:
http://www.lidom.com.do/index.php/equipos/aguilas
http://www.lidom.com.do/index.php/equipos/escogido
http://www.lidom.com.do/index.php/equipos/estrellas
http://www.lidom.com.do/index.php/equipos/gigantes
http://www.lidom.com.do/index.php/equipos/licey
http://www.lidom.com.do/index.php/equipos/toros



Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League:

Puerto Rican League Web Site:
http://www.puertoricobaseballleague.com/

Team Web Sites:

The P.R. Baseball League Website is currently down.
As soon as that gets straightened out, I will post the links.




WINTER LEAGUES coverage on MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/winterleagues/league.jsp?league=car

Mike.BTB

2010 Dominican Republic Professional Baseball Season

The Dominican Professional Baseball League kicked off the Caribbean Winter Season of 2010-11 today.

You can keep track of the Dominican League through their web-site:
http://www.lidom.com.do/

It is a six team league consisting of the following clubs:

Los TIGRES Del LICEY  ~  Tigers

Los LEONES De ESCOGIDO  ~  The Lions of the Chosen

AGUILAS CIBAENAS  ~  Eagles

ESTRELLAS ORIENTALES  ~  Stars

TOROS Del ESTE  ~  Bulls

GIGANTES Del CIBAO  ~  Giants

Last winter Los Liones de Escogido defeated Los Gigantes del Cabio for
the DOMINCAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
five games to four. 
At one point Los Gigantes led the series three games to one.

The team representing the Dominican Republic went on to win the
Caribbean Leagues Championship.


Mike.BTB