Tigres de Licey (Dominican Republic) and Cañeros de Los Mochis (Mexico) will star today in the first duel between teams considered favorites for the throne in the 2023 Caribbean Baseball Series.

Caracas, February 2 (PL)-- Tigres de Licey (Dominican Republic) and Cañeros de Los Mochis (Mexico) will star today in the first duel between teams considered favorites for the throne in the 2023 Caribbean Baseball Series.

The Dominicans, the highest historical winners of the competition with 10 crowns, will try to wash the national honor, since last year the Colombian Caimanes de Barranquilla won against all logic against the Gigantes del Cibao.

Led by middle infielder Robinson Canó, a veteran of a thousand battles both in the American Major Leagues and in Caribbean baseball, they arrived at Gran Caracas 2023 with the dream of recovering the throne they have not held as a club since 2008.

A very balanced roster, in which in addition to good hitters and fast runners, they have pitchers of proven quality at this level, both starters and relievers, makes Quisqueya dream big.

The incombustible Raúl Valdés, a 45-year-old Cuban left-hander, will be the card of manager José Offerman to step into the box in the first challenge.

His opponent at the Monumental Simón Bolívar stadium, with a capacity for 40,000 people, has a Venezuelan manager, José Moreno, and that could win them support from the stands, always important in sports.

Moreno became the first Venezuelan manager to be crowned champion in Mexican baseball and ended a 20-year championship drought for Los Mochis, whose last championship was in the distant 2002-2003 season.

Players such as catcher Juan Uriarte (Most Valuable Player of the domestic league final), Fernando Villegas (Rookie of the Year), Roberto Valenzuela (Batting Champion) and Luis Fernando Miranda (Pitcher of the Year) stand out in the Cañeros roster.

It should be a battle of power to power and whichever team comes out on top will still be the favorite to advance to the finals.

First day *** 2 February

Cuba (Agricultores (Cuba) vs Wildscats (Curacao).

Tigres de Licey (Dominican Republic) vs Cañeros de Los Mochis (Mexico).

Colombia (Vaqueros de Montería) vs. Puerto Rico (Indios de Mayagüez).

Venezuela (Leones del Caracas) vs. Panama (Federales de Chiriquí).