The first half of the initial phase of the 54 Cuban National Baseball Series has left behind and surprises in the standings are obvious. Pinar del Rio, national champion, is still trapped in the rear, Granma and Isla de la Juventud animate the advanced group, while Matanzas, as in recent seasons, appears on the top.
Undoubtedly, the free fall from a year to another of Pinar del Rio, coached again by Urquiola, is the most notable fact so far this regular season. The very low offensive production has condemned them to suffer in each output to the field and they are currently ranking 13th in the standings. A situation that has them in suspense, as although there are still time to react, their face on the ground gives their fans no much guarantees to believe in a recovery.
Its main sluggers are cold, out of focus. Peraza, Saavedra and Duarte have not started at all well, and hence the team has achieved a very short runs production. Pinar del Rio´s best batter is the shortstop Luis A. Valdes, who stands out among the top hitters of the contest with an average of .403, from there on out, the other averages are anemic. With just 10 games won in 23 matches, Pinar del Rio will have to raise its head immediately because if not they will be out of the next stage of the tournament.
The vanguard squad includes Granma and Isla de la Juventud, two teams that without much noise and a lighthearted game appear in the leading positions of the competition. The first ones, under the aegis of Carlos Martí, wise head coach who has returned to the helm of the Sorrels; while those from the island with their young group has become Cristobal Labra ballpark in a stronghold that few have been able to take by assault.
To the delight of Granma fans, Alfredo Despaigne has joined to the team after his passage by the Japanese baseball league. Incorporation that has come in handy to round out a lineup, which in addition to Roel Santos´ speed and ease and Yordanis Samoan’s effective hitting, it must be added the best Cuban slugger.
Meanwhile, Isla de la Juventud has taken advantage of its unswerving record at home; a park in which they have become almost unbeatable to those who have come to visit them. However, once outside, life has not been the same, a wink that forebodes that the fourth seat in the standings could change immediately.
Ciego de Avila is also among the leaders, third behind Matanzas and Granma. Coach Roger Machado, cleverly moving his bullpen which is not nearly among the best of the championship, has been able to overcome the shortcomings of the previous year in which they faced the lack of quality reliefs. Even without their ace pitcher, the speedy Vladimir Garcia, they are fighting for the top positions of the ranking.
For three years, it is usual to see Matanzas on top of qualifying round, enjoying as good leader the constant friction occurred on its backs. Victor Mesa’s pupils, despite suffering two very important lost in the central line, second baseman José Miguel Fernández and catcher Lazaro Herrera; continue steam ahead and full sail.
With 18 win s, Matanzas, differently from other years, now owns one of the best pitching staff in the country. The addition of Jonder Martínez, the excellent job by supersonic youngster Cionel Perez, Yoanni Year´s establishment and the security to close games by Felix Fuentes, again launch the nomination to grab once and for all the national crown.
Camagüey, which not even the seasoned coach Lombillo manages to take them out of the ditch in which they are immersed for several seasons, and Villa Clara, which although it appears within the qualifying group, its players have started hesitating, are squads showing yields below expectations.
We could not say the same on Holguin, Cienfuegos and Sancti Spiritus as their rosters have been bled by losing several of their pillars on the field and the results, perhaps, are overcoming some predictions before the contest. Meanwhile, both Guantanamo and Las Tunas have given a bit of color to the series through their performances. They both are at close distance of the highly coveted 8th seat, so they will have to keep fighting to get it.
