Havana, February 5 (RHC) – Today, Cuba revealed its lineup to debut tomorrow in the II Series of the Americas, with Randy Martínez as the starter and an offensive order designed by Germán Mesa.
The manager of the Cuban team drew up the first Cuban constellation of the tournament like someone writing a war cry on the whiteboard: nine names, nine destinies, a single flag waiting its turn to enter the fray.
The lineup will be led by Roel Santos in left field, the first heartbeat of an offense that will seek to establish its dominance from the outset. He will be followed by Erisbel Arruebarrena at shortstop, a defensive scalpel and the brains of the infield, while Yoelvis Guibert will occupy center field as the third batter, tasked with balancing power and speed.
At the heart of the order will be Alfredo Despaigne, designated hitter and a symbol of historical power, destined to be a thunderclap in the midst of silence. Behind him, Yoel Yanqui will guard first base, Yasiel González will patrol right field, and Harold Vásquez will take over at catcher, guardian of the rhythm and the secrets of the pitching.
Rounding out the nine are Christian Rodríguez at third base and Luis Vicente Mateo at second, completing a lineup that blends youth, experience, and the shared obsession to win again with the name of Cuba emblazoned on their chests.
But if the lineup is the body, the soul of the debut will have a name: Randy Román Martínez. The left-hander from Pinar del Río, just 22 years old and belonging to the Japanese Chunichi Dragons organization, will be the first Cuban voice from the mound in the Series of the Americas. His arm will open the story.
Mesa described him as a player he can fully trust. Not only because of his recent numbers in the National Series, but also because of the composure he displays on the field. Martínez will face the Leones de León, two-time champions of Nicaraguan professional baseball, who fell 5-2 to the Caimanes de Barranquilla in their opening game today.
Cuba, which had a bye on opening day, arrives at its debut refreshed and with its anxiety contained. Tomorrow, at the Monumental Simón Bolívar stadium, it won’t just be one team that comes out to play baseball: an entire island will come out to remember who it is when the ball starts to spin.
