The leading Woodcutters of Las Tunas and the Crocodiles of Matanzas will seek their 42nd victory today, a magic number that would seal their advance to the postseason of the 64th National Baseball Series.

The attainment of one more success will mathematically guarantee the qualification of both line-ups, because no possible scenario allows eight teams to surpass that figure with the remaining games.

To reach that conclusion, scenario simulation programmes and spreadsheets were used which allow for the analysis of all possible combinations between the pending games—including full enumeration models that calculate every hypothetical result and its impact on the table.

Although action remains on the calendar, the structure of the pending duels completely limits the possibility of so many contenders accumulating 42 triumphs. There are numerous direct clashes between aspirants, which forces some to win and others to lose, preventing all from advancing simultaneously.

Even in the extreme case that both teams lost all their challenges after reaching 42 smiles, they would remain unreachable for at least half of the contending teams. The reviewed simulations demonstrate this.

Yesterday, at the 5 de Septiembre stadium, the tuneros once again took out their axes and routed the Cienfuegos Elephants 10-1, backed by 15 rockets, including a home run by Yassel Izaguirre, and the airtight work over seven innings by Yosmel Garcés, who signed his ninth victory to equal the summit among the winningest pitchers.

The Crocodiles also celebrated in a big way and defeated the Granma Stallions 13-5, guided by the big hits of Brayan Peña and Hanyelo Videt, who drove in seven runs between them.

In the other duels, Mayabeque defeated Santiago de Cuba 17-13 at the Nelson Fernández stadium, but used an ineligible player and had its victory forfeited.
La Isla surprised Holguín again 5-2 to sink them to third place, Industriales remained firm in the leading group by defeating Ciego de Ávila 6-1 and Sancti Spíritus knocked out Guantánamo 10-0.

For their part, Artemisa defeated Villa Clara 7-2 and stopped their poor run, while Bulls and Vegueros split at the Capitán San Luis stadium, with victories for Abrahan Licea of Camagüey and Yosvani Martínez of Pinar.

After the last matchday, the table stands as follows: Las Tunas (41-23), Matanzas (41-25), Holguín (40-26), Mayabeque (39-27), Industriales (38-28), Sancti Spíritus (38-29), La Isla (36-30) and Artemisa (35-31), closing the qualification zone.