Though pitchers and catchers for the Arizona Diamondbacks will report to Major League Baseball’s Spring Training today, the majority of MLB clubs -- excluding the Dodgers who begin on the Feb. 8 -- won’t start bringing in their battery units until next week. Fans of professional baseball despise the offseason because it takes them away from the game they love and the players they root for but thanks to the inclusion of multiple Winter Leagues, baseball loyalists have been able to get their fill ahead of Opening Day 2014.
One of the most entertaining leagues each winter is the Caribbean League. The 2014 edition of the Caribbean Series has enjoyed the inclusion of five teams participating in a ten-game round robin schedule prior to a four-team playoff. Clubs from Cuba (Naranjas de Villa Clara), Mexico (Naranjeros de Hermosillo), Venezuela (Navegantes del Magallanes), Dominican Republic (Tigres del Licey) and Puerto Rico (Indios de Mayaguez) played through a tough opening slate that saw Narajas de Villa Clara get bounced from semifinal qualification after posting a 1-3 record, one game behind the trio of Mexico, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.
Led by the offensive consistency of catcher Ramon Hernandez and starting centerfielder Chris Roberson, Mexico is in prime position for a run at a second-straight Caribbean Series title. Though Mexico’s Naranjeros de Hermosillo has the ability to score runs in bunches, Roberson -- who spent time with the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2006-2007 Major League Baseball season -- says the team’s pitching has been the biggest reason for the country’s recent success in the winter tournament, with guys constantly changing up their pitch speeds and array of pitches to keep the opposition off balance.
“The pitching in Mexico has really improved with guys throwing harder, including the imported players, but you also have Mexican pitchers throwing 91-92 mph with a cutter and a sinker,” Roberson said. “You still see guys throwing the mess out of a changeup, but there's the split, too. It's a solid Double-A and Triple-A level. You can definitely see how baseball has improved there.”
Though Mexico feels good about their chances of moving on, a tough test in the semi’s lies ahead in the form of Dominican Republic squad Tigres del Licey. Led by shortstop Hector Gomez, former World Series champion Julio Lugo and MLB utility man Emilio Bonifacio, this year’s Dominican Republic squad certainly possesses strong offensive capability, with the aforementioned trio combining to drive in 11 runs during the 2014 Series heading into the semifinal.
Puerto Rico and Venezuela will meet Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., ET in the second semifinal with the championship game set for Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m., ET.
2014 Caribbean Series Semifinals – Mexico vs. DR: DATE, TIME & VIEWING INFO
DATE: Thursday, Feb. 6
TIME: 7 p.m., ET
TV COVERAGE: ESPN Deportes
LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE
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