Havana, February 1 (RHC) – The host team, Cocodrilos de Matanzas, and Leones de Industriales will begin the highly anticipated first semifinal of the 64th National Baseball Series this Sunday at the Victoria de Girón Stadium.
To reach this stage, the Matanzas team, led by the seasoned Armando Ferrer, blanked the Gallos de Sancti Spíritus 4-0, while Guillermo Carmona’s Leones defeated the Huracanes de Mayabeque 4-2.
In their regular-season head-to-head matchup, the Cocodrilos emerged victorious 3-2. But Carmona insists that this is a clean slate.
Both teams boast an attractive blend of experienced players and talented youngsters capable of playing multiple positions.
Ferrer takes on the challenge with the return of Yurisbel Gracial and Ariel Martínez, along with the speedy closer Armando Dueñas.
Based on the rotation schedule for both teams in the quarterfinals, left-hander Yoenni Yera is expected to start for Matanzas, while right-hander Raymond Figueredo would take the mound for the Havana team.
These two teams met previously in the semifinals of the 51st edition, which ended with a narrow 4-3 victory for Industriales.
The other semifinal matchup begins next Monday, with the defending champion Leñadores de Las Tunas hosting the surprising Cazadores de Artemisa at their home field, the Julio Antonio Mella Park.
