CHARROS EDGE INTO LIGA MEXICANA DEL PACIFICO PLAYOFFS
The Charros de Jalisco, who finished the year with a 30-38 record, managed to take the 6th, and last, playoff position over the Naranjeros de Hermosillo and last years LMP Champion Tomateros de Culiacan.
Jalisco garnered 8 total points in the 2 halves of the LMP season to earn the right to face the #1 seeded Aguilas de Mexicali in round 1 of the playoffs. The playoffs are scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 1st.
The best of 7 series begins in Mexicali on the 1st with game 2 scheduled for the 2nd. After a travel day, the series will shift to Guadalajara for games on the 4th, 5th and 6th (if necessary). Should games 6 and 7 be required, they will be played in Mexicali on the 7th and 8th of January.
The Charros present a different lineup for the playoffs then took the field for opening day. Leadoff hitter Eduardo “El Mosco” Arredondo is injured and not listed on the Charros roster. Likewise, Japhet “El Gigante” Amador has left the team to prepare for the upcoming baseball season in Japan. 37 year old catcher, Miguel Olivo, a 17 year veteran of the big leagues, replaces Gabriel Gutierrez behind the plate. Alex Liddi, the 1st Italian born and raised major league ball player, anchors the infield and Jesus “Cacao” Valdez led the LMP in batting average.
On the downside, Juan Navarette, the Manager of the Year in the LMP for 2014, was fired with 9 games to go in the season and last years MVP, Manny Rodriguez, has suffered through an off year, hitting just .256 for the season.
Facing the #1 seeded Aguilas will be a tough task. The Charros hitters left too many runners in scoring position throughout the year and the pitching staff gave up too many hits when faced with the same scenario.
Regardless of the negatives, the Charros are in the playoffs and anything can happen. Each team starts the “second season” at 0-0.
Baseball fans know that, despite the season results, the player stats and personnel changes, the game is played “between the lines” and the Charros have proven themselves winners on the field.
Yogi Berra once famously said…”it ain’t over till the fat lady sings”. We in Guadalajara simply say “Todos Somos Charros”
