The third particular duels, of a total of 10 in its qualifying stage, begin today in the III Elite League of Cuban Baseball, a tournament that exhibits very similar numbers to its previous version, although it has had more public support.
After the first eight games, Industriales de La Habana and Tigres de Ciego de Avila are neck and neck at the top of the standings with a record of six wins and two losses, thanks mainly to their pitching staffs, the only ones to allow fewer than three clean runs per complete game.
The capital city team, which also leads the offensive with a .343 average, will host the Latin American Championship again at its headquarters, this time against the Leñadores de Las Tunas, who occupy third place with a 4-4 record.
Winners of the last two editions of the National Series, the Eastern troop is third in batting (.300) and first in defence (.991), and will arrive ready to climb up the order, before leaving on 8 April to represent Cuba in the II Champions League in Mexico.
Their helmsman, Abeyci Pantoja, designated right-hander Alejandro Meneses, who was batted around in his first start, conceding four runs in four and two-thirds innings of work.
Meanwhile, the felines’ mentor, Guillermo Carmona, announced right-hander Raymond Figueredo, who allowed just one run in seven innings on his debut.
At the iconic Guillermón Moncada, the fourth-placed Avispas de Santiago de Cuba (3-5) will host Danny Miranda’s inspired Tigres, with the task of imposing their batting power on their fans.
The indomitable Tigers have hit seven home runs and are second in offensive power (.307), led by the duo of Yoelquis Guibert and Eduardo García, who have the most hits with the lumber.
Their manager Eddy Cajigal will rely on Carlos Benavides on the mound, a reliever who came on in relief a few days ago and got two outs via strikeout.
In the felines’ trench will be Leonardo Reyes, after working four episodes and a third with only one run on his record, in a game where he left without a decision.
Finally, at the Mártires de Barbados, the Alazanes de Granma (3-5), will face the bottom-placed Vegueros de Pinar del Río, a team that is not used to occupying that position, and which must improve its game in the coming days.
The westernmost team, coached by Alexander Urquiola, is already third in pitching (4.30 pcl), but must wake up at bat, after showing a low offensive average of just .213 and has scored just 18 runs in eight games.
Perhaps it’s time to wake up the pitching staff, against an opposing pitching staff that has allowed 7.93 runs per nine innings, last in that department.
The home side, managed by Angel Ortega, will use Sammy Benitez as starter and the visitors will use Mario Valle, both of whom have had poor starts in their first appearances.
