Japhet Amador Suspended 6 Months by the Nippon Professional Baseball League

DRUG TEST IN JUNE FOUND 2 BANNED SUBSTANCES

Japhet Amador, the power hitting 1st baseman of the Charros de Jalisco and
current player for the Rakuten Eagles, has been suspended by the Nippon
Professional Baseball League.

Amador underwent a drug test on the 13th of June following a game against
the Chunichi Dragons. He tested positive for the drugs chlorthalidone and
furosemide. These two substances are included under diuretics and masking
agents on a list of prohibited drugs on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s website.

Japhet was informed of the test results on the 23rd of June and given a chance
to defend himself. He denied knowingly or intentionally taking any banned
substance. The league retested his sample, at Amador’s request, on the 1st of
August. The results were the same.

“I have never committed an act of doping in my baseball life up to this point,”
Amador said in a statement released by the Eagles. “I have never intentionally
taken any banned drugs.

“I haven’t used stimulants or anything to increase muscle, or thought about
using diuretics or masking agents. I’ve been given many doping tests in the
past and they’ve all been negative.”

On a tweet at noon Guadalajara time on Thursday the 9th of
August, Amador announced the results of the test saying that
he “assumes responsibility” and that he would “announce his
retirement”.

Amador with the Rakuten Eagles

In an 11 year career, Japhet has hit 312 homeruns and driven
in 1057 runs while hitting for a .296 average. In 3 years with the
Rakuten Eagles of the Nippon League, Amador hit .250 with 52
homers.

In 4 years with the Charros, Amador drive in 145 runs while
hitting 40 home runs.

The one-time product of the Houston Astros organization,
“El Gigante” from Mulege Mexico, played in Oklahoma City of
the Pacific Coast League and Peoria of the Arizona fall League.

NFL Anthem Protest: Right, Wrong or Wrongly Perpetuated?

WOULD THIS PROTEST CONTINUE IF NO ONE KNEW IT WAS GOING ON?

With the start of a new NFL season, thoughts of Super Bowl games dance in the heads of all football fans. This could be the year the Browns win their division and go all the way. Can the Eagles repeat? Will a 40 year old Brady get that last ring and ride off into the sunset as the GOAT?

Despite all the hopes of a new season, the elephant in the room is the anthem protest. First, the NFL decrees that the players must either stand for the National Anthem or remain in the locker room. Then the NFLPA cries foul and the NFL walks back the rule and says "let's talk". So, no change and no solution. Is there really a solution?

To be fair to both sides we must remember that the NFL had no "anthem stand" requirement until 2009 when they signed a lucrative contract with the Pentagon to "promote patriotic displays".

Sally Jenkins, sports reporter for the Washington Post, in a column on the 22nd of July, wrote that the "anthem debate is a case of misplaced emphasis". She goes on to say the "enforced patriotism, is not patriotism at all".

But sports in America is indeed rooted in patriotism, as it is in all the countries of the world. Soccer matches in Mexico begin with the their Himno Nacional. The people in the bleachers stand, remove their hats and proudly sing along. The players are all standing, with their hands on their hearts, singing along.

Jenkins asks the question, "How can a mild protest by at most 12 % of the league cause such a stir"?

To answer this, we must agree on two things.
     1. The average NFL fan, whether at the game, or at home is very patriotic.
     2. A player seen kneeling is perceived as being unpatriotic.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, medalists at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, were loudly and roundly booed for their raised fists on the medalists podium. This action was widely seen as anti-American and unpatriotic. Colin Kaepernick's "pig socks" were similarly seen as divisive and unamerican by the average NFL fan.

When NFL players, in the UK and Mexico stood for the host nation's anthem yet knelt for the Anthem of the United States of America, this too was viewed as unamerican, unpatriotic and a slap in the face to all Americans.

The average American sports fan agree with Tim Suttle, a Pastor and writer from Olathe, Kansas who penned: "The liturgies of sport teach us that America is a singular beacon in a world of hackneyed imposters...The game embodies the belief that this nation stands above all other nations as more powerful, virtuous, righteous and more justified in our actions...".

We, as fans are proud of our nation! All other nations are too. As a group, we desire our athletes to be like us. We don't say, so and so the black football player, or so and so the ballplayer from the Dominican republic. No...we say my teams pro bowl Safety or our All Star shortstop. Sports fans everywhere want an escape. We turn to sports.

So..what is my solution to this morass the NFL has created? Let the protests continue. Do nothing. What can it hurt if just 12%, a figure attributed to Jenkins, of the league protest a perceived injustice.

But, the league needs cooperation from the media. Are the protests worthy of attention? Without the television constantly covering the sidelines during the anthem, there would be no attention brought to the subject. Censorship you say...during the 2017 season the networks, and even local coverage, deliberately avoided showing the empty stands. The league "suggested" coverage of this was detrimental to the ratings. Constant badgering of the players by the print media on how they "felt" about the kneeling served no purpose but to inflame an already agitated fan base.

The owners should press Goodell to minimize the effect on ratings and league attendance. The Green Bay Packers reported in their annual report to stockholders that revenue was up year-to-year and that 99% of the season ticket holders had renewed with a waiting list of 137,000.

The league is in fine shape!

So...can the Eagles repeat or what?

 

Josh Hader 1st All Star Game Marred by Twitter Police

HADER GIVES UP GAME TYING 3 RUN HOME RUN IN ALL STAR GAME

Josh Hader, of the Milwaukee Brewers, spent the week basking in the glow of selection to his 1st All Star game! During the first half of the 2108 season, Hader struck out 89 batters in 48 innings of work while recording 7 saves. The Brewers reliever has struck out 157 batters in 95 and 2/3 innings on the mound in his MLB career. Quite the accomplishment you say...we need him on our team you think. Well think again!

On in relief in the 8th inning, Hader gave up a 3 run home run home run to the Mariner's shortstop, Jean Segura. Bad enough you thought but the twitter crazies wanted to find out more about Hader. They checked his Twitter account and found tweets from 2011 where Hader, at age 17, posted things that are deemed Racist, homophobic, derogatory to women and supported (in the minds of the mob) the white power movement.

While neither condoning nor condemning Josh, I would like to add my comments to the seemingly demonic Tweets.

Mr. Hader was 17 at the time of his tweets. Excuse...no, but a reasonable explanation. He was a very young man whose views at the time were very malleable. Merriam-Webster defines "malleable" in the following way. "Capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences".

Lets take a look at a few of the songs that topped the Billboard top 100 list in 2011.

     "F-you, forget you" by Cee Lo Green
     "Tonight (I'm F-ing you" by Enrique Iglesias (with Ludacris and DJ Frank E)
     "F-ing Perfect" by Pink

Influence, peer pressure, pop culture?

Why do people feel the need to check through 7 years of a person's Tweets? Because he gave up a home run? Didn't anyone in the MLB look through his Tweets?

Hader was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in June of 2012. Why didn't they check his social media pages? Traded to the Astros in 2013 and again no look into his past. Finally in July of 2015 Josh was traded to the Brewers. By 2015 there were numerous stories of sports figures in trouble for Tweets by them or about them. And yet, one can only assume that the Brewers organization doesn't bother to check every player's social media account.

I can hear the keyboards of every MLB, NBA and NFL in every office clattering away under the finger tips of the newly hired social media account researcher. What a racket...both figuratively and literally.

Josh has apologised to his team mate, Lorenzo Cain, to MLB and to his fans. There is nothing more he can do.

He can go back and delete the Tweets and tell all his team mates to check their accounts for anything that the thought police may find objectionable. Other than that?

If the fans in Milwaukee, or any other MLB city boo him when he takes the field or protests him with harassment, they should be ashamed of themselves.

Puebla Staves Off Elimination In Game 4

STRONG STARTING AND RELIEF PITCHING IN 6-3 WIN

Watch the final out of the game here.

The Pericos de Puebla got a strong outing by starter Andres Mesa, despite a rough 1st inning, a hold by reliever Mario Morales and a two inning save from Deunte Heath to, temporarily at least, halt the Toros de Tijuana's quest for the Copa Zaachila.

Sergio Mitre lasted just 3 1/3 innings in the loss for the Toros. He allowed 5 earned runs on 7 hits in his time on the mound.

Tijuana jumped on top early with 3 runs in the top of the 1st. Jose Guadalupe Chavez and Roberto Lopez singled and Corey Browm walked to load the bases with no outs. Cyle Hankerd was hit by a pitch to force in Chavez. Jorge Cantu followed with a double to right to drive in Lopez and Brown but Hankerd was cut down at home on a great relay throw by the Perico's second baseman. The Toros were up 3-0 before the Pericos had a turn at bat.

Puebla struck back in the home half of the 2nd. Ricky Rodriguez doubled and Cesar Tapia walked. A attempted sacrifice bunt by Hector Garanzuay resulted in Rodriguez being thrown out at third but Sergio Perez singled to drive in Tapia and cut the lead to 3-1.

With 1 out in the bottom of the 4th, Tapia singled to center and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Garanzuay doubled to left to score Tapia. Sergio Perez singled softly to short keeping Garanzuay on second. Alberto Carreon hit a ground-rule double to right to score Garanzuay to knot the score at 3. After a ground out, Endy Chavez doubled to score Perez and Carreon and Puebla led 5-3.

Ricky Rodriguez singled with one out in the bottom of the 8th inning and, one out later stole second. Hector Garanzuay singled to plate Rodriguez with the 6th and final run for Puebla and the 6-3 win.

Game 5 will be played in the Estadio Hermanos Serdan on Sunday tie 10th of September.

Toros on Verge of Copa Zaachila with 4-0 Shutout of Pericos

PUEBLA OFFENSE NONEXISTENT IN LOSS

The Toros de Tijuana are in charge of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol's championship after a 4-0 shutout of the Pericos de Puebla gave them a 3 games to none advantage.  Watch to final out here  After the 4th inning the crowd of 11,906 fans in Estadio Hermanos Serdan sensed impending doom and had little to cheer about.

Horacio Ramirez

Starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez pitched 7 2/3 innings of the shutout allowing just 5 hits. Although he didn't strike out a batter, in fact no Pericos fell victim to the strikeout all game, he walked only 2 and was around the plate all game, working the ball low and away to all batters. Juan Sandoval pitched the final 1 1/3 innings in the Toros win.

The Perico's starter, Josh Outman, went 5 1/3 innings, giving up all 4 Toros runs, striking 5 but walking 4 in taking the loss. His control problems kept him in trouble for all but the 1st inning. Three Puebla relievers held Tijuana to just 1 hit over 3 2/3 innings of work.

Cyle Hankerd led off the top of the 4th fir Tijuana getting hit by a pitch. Dustin Martin drew a walk one out later. Juan Apodaca reached safely on an error by the Pericos first baseman. The ruling was challenged by Puebla but the play was not overturned to load the bases. Alex Liddi followed with a 4-6 ground out that scored Hankerd for the 1-0 lead.

Tijuana scored twice more in the 5th inning on a solo home run by Roberto Lopez, a single and stolen base by Corey Brown and a single by Dustin Martin. 3-0 Toros.

Roberto Lopez Home Run 

Alex Liddi drew a lead off walk in the top of the 6th, advanced to second on a ground out, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Jose Guadalupe Chavez, Final score Toros 4, Puebla 0.

Game 4 is being played today with the Toros in the proverbial drivers seat, needing just 1 win to become the champions of the league, If Puebla wins, game 5 will be played on Sunday.

Puebla Falls Behind 2 Games to None in Serie del Rey

BULLPEN AGAIN FAILS TO HOLD LEAD IN 5-3 LOSS

If the Pericos de Puebla expect to halt the juggernaut that is the Toros de Tijuana they must get more support from the bullpen. In both losses the relievers failed to hold a tie game or a lead turned over to them by the starters. Although the starters have not been perfect they have the free swinging Toros to a manageable offensive output.

Tijuana took an early lead when Cyle Hankerd homered, on a line drive to left, bringing home Corey Brown for the 2-0 lead after 3 innings.

VIEW Garanzuay's home run here.   Puebla struck back in the top of the 4th. With one out, Jesus Arredondo doubled and came home on a double by Ricky Rodriguez. One out later, Hector Garanzuay hit a drive to deep right that cleared the wall with room to spare driving in Rodriguez and giving the Pericos a 3-2 lead.

Juan Apodaca tied the contest in the bottom of the 6th inning with a home run to left off Perico's starter Jaime Lugo.  WATCH APODACA'S Home run here!

Roberto Lopez led off the bottom of the 7th for the Toros with a double to left. After a Corey Brown ground out, moving Lopez to third, The Pericos brought in reliever Adrian Ramirez. Ramirez walked Cyle Hankerd. Jorge Cantu lifted a sac fly to center that scored Lopez. Following a walk to Dustin Martin, Juan Apodaca singled to center to plate Hankerd and seal the 5-3 victory.

Mark Serrano got the win in relief with help from a hold by Juan Sandoval and a save from Jason Urquidez. Henry Garcia was saddled with the loss for Puebla.

Roberto Lopez was 4 for 5 with 2 doubles for Tijuana with Juan Apodaca going 3 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBIs and Cyle Hankerd 1 for 2 with the home run and 2 RBIs for the Toros/

Hector Garanzuay went 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Julio Borbon 2 for 4 and Ricky Rodriguez 2 foe 3 with a double and an RBI for Puebla.

The series now moves to Puebla for 3 games beginning on Friday the 8th of September.

For the Pericos to have a shot at the championship, they must win 2 of the 3 games in Puebla. The Toros on the other hand can take home the Copa Zaachila with 2 wins on the road at Estadio Hermanos Serdan.

Barr None Predictions for NFL Week 1

NOT BAD 11-4 FOR THE WEEK. ONLY THE PATS, JETS AND TEXANS REALLY LET ME DOWN. CHECK BACK ON THURSDAY FOR MY WEEK 2 PICKS.

Another year and another chance for me to show you how much of a genius I am at predicting how 2 teams of professional athletes will respond to the regular season.

Here goes:

THURSDAY

KC Chiefs @ New Englnd Patriots - How can I go against the Pats...Patriots 27-13

SUNDAY

NY Jets @ Buffalo Bills - New faces...same places...Jets 30-10
Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears - No 2nd half fall this time...Falcons 35-17
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinatti Bengals - I'm raving about the Bengals...21-19
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns - I see 0-16 for the Browns...Steelers 37-10
Arizona Cardinals @ Detroit Lions - The newly rich Stafford leads the Lions to a 13-10 win.
Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans - Carson is back...Raiders 24-14
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins - NFL East Champs (soon)...21-17
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans - Harvey comes through with hometown win...20-13
Indianapolis Colts @ L Rams...1 QBless, 1 rudderless...Rams...13-10
Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers - Go with the Pack early...21-17
Carolina Panthers @ San Francisco 49ers - Yawn...Panthers 17-14
NY Giants @ Dallas Cowboys - Cops arrest the whole Dallas team after win...Cowboys 28-24

MONDAY

New Orleans Saints @ Minnesota Vikings - Vikings top Saints 21-20
LA Chargers @ Denver Broncos - Rivers' notes and film fly out the window...Broncos 13-9

So ther you have it...don't like it...tell me about it but I will be crowing next Tuesday morning...or is that eating crow?

Tijuana Tops Puebla in Game 1 of Serie del Rey

6 RUN 6TH CRUSHES PERICO'S HOPES

Toros Celebrate Game 1 Win

In the first game of the Serie del Rey, played in Tijuana, the Toros broke a 2 all game wide open with a 6 run 6th inning to take game 1 by an 8-2 score.

The Toros opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd when Roberto Lopez hit a sac fly to center, on a full count, that scored Juan Apodaca. Tijuana took the early 1-0 lead.

A wild pitch by losing pitcher Josh Roenicke in the 4th scored Cyle Hankerd from third to give the Toros a 2-0 lead.

Tijuana Scores on Pericos Wild Pitch

Puebla narrowed the score to 2-1 in the top of the 5th. Sergio Perez hit a one out single to left and raced home on a double to the right field corner by Alberto Carreon.

The Pericos tied the score, at 2 all, in the top of the 6th inning. Issmael Salas reached safely, and advanced to second, on an fielding/throwing error by the Toros second baseman. Salas went to third on a single by Jesus Arredondo and scored on a single by Ricky Rodriguez. But Cesar Tapia flew out to center and Hector Garanzuay  hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the Pericos threat and get Tijuana out of a jam.

The house of cards the Pericos had built came tumbling down in the home half of the 6th. Dustin Martin drew a one out walk and promptly stole second. Juan Apodaca singled to score Martin for the 3-2 lead but the Toros were not done. After a pitching change, Isaac Rodriguez drew a walk to put runners on first and second with 2 outs. Following yet another Puebla pitching change, Jose Guadalupe Chavez singled to center to drive in Apodaca while taking second on the throw home.

Yet again the Pericos opted for a pitching change but the result would be the same. Roberto Lopez doubled to left to score Rodriguez and Chavez. Corey Brown followed with a single to plate Lopez. Brown stole second and scored on a Cyle Hankerd single to center to complete the scoring and give the Toros the 8-2 win.

Puebla was unable to mount a threat over the remaining 3 innings and find themselves at an 0-1 disadvantage leading into game 2 of the series.

Jo-Jo Reyes picked up the win, pitching 2/3 of an inning for Tijuana. Josh Roenicke took the loss. Roenicke looked solid for 5 innings giving up 5 hits while striking out 7 and walking 4 but he set the table for the Toro's hitters in the 6th inning and the Puebla relievers were unable to keep the runners from scoring.

Cyle Hankerd went 3 for 5, Juan Apodaca 3 for 4 and Roberto Lopez 1 for 4 with 3 RBIs for Tijuana.

Jesus Arredondo was 2 for 3 for Puebla. Ricky Rodriguez and Alberto Carreon were both 1 foe 3 with an RBI for the Pericos.

Game 2 will be played on Wednesday night in Tijuana before the series moves to Puebla for game 3 on Friday the 8th of September. 

Serie del Rey Comenzará en Tijuana el martes

Can Puebla Defeat Tijuana in the Serie del Rey

Los Pericos de Puebla entran en la Serie del Rey de 2017 como ligeros aficionados a los Toros de Tijuana. Los Oddsmakers dan a los Pericos un 47% de posibilidades de repetir como campeones de la Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.

Estadio Gasmart

El camino para llevar a casa la Copa Zaachila (el Trofeo del Campeonato LMB) comienza en Tijuana. Los Toros, con un mejor récord de la temporada regular de la liga de 76-34, obtienen los dos primeros partidos en casa. Los amistosos confines del Estadio Gasmart, el hogar de los Toros, vieron a los Toros ganar 40 partidos y caer 16. Los juegos 3, 4 y 5 se jugarán en el estadio de Pericos, Estadio de Beisbol Hermanos Serdan. Puebla no se ha ido tan bien en casa, pasando sólo 24-27 en Puebla. Si es necesario, los juegos 6 y 7 se jugarán bajo las luces de Tijuana.

Estadio de Beisbol Hermanos Serdan

Ganar en casa para los Toros fue fácil este año, pero los Pericos eran sólo 24-27 en casa. Se podría decir que Estadio de Beisbol Hermanos Serdan ha sido todo menos amistoso con Puebla. A pesar de los fanáticos fanáticos rabiosos y temerosos de los locales, los Pericos no lanzaron bien en casa. Da ventaja aquí a Tijuana.

Los lanzadores de Tijuana lideraron la liga en la ERA con una marca de 3.52. Los Pericos por el contrario terminaron 11º en la liga permitiendo 5.02 carreras por partido. Esta es la clave para Puebla. Si permiten que muchos corran un juego, las victorias serán difíciles de conseguir.

Golpear sabio aunque los Pericos tienen el borde. Su promedio de bateo de .305 fue el segundo de los .307 de Monterrey. Aunque el Toros logró golpear .281 que sólo fue bueno para un lugar 11 º lugar.

Tijuana tiene el borde en lanzar mientras que Puebla consigue el cabeceo para golpear.

Edny Chavez

Edny Chávez lideró a los Pericos en bateo, compilando un promedio de .343 (6º en la liga) con su compañero de equipo Jesús Arredondo bateando .332 y Alberto Carreon siguiendo con un promedio de .317.

Cyle Hankerd bateó .321 en el año con 17 jonrones y 69 remolcadas por Tijuana. José Guadalupe Chávez fue el único otro Toro con un promedio de bateo por encima de .300.

El equipo de pitcheo de Toros dio p sólo 971 hits en 975 ⅔ entradas, eliminando a 753 bateadores y caminar 278. Este 3 a 1 strikeout a caminar ratio puede ser la caída a un equipo que fracturó 675 veces en 110 juegos.

Cyle Hankerd

Los lanzadores de Puebla por otro lado permitieron 1144 hits en 965 ⅔ entradas, dando 85 cuadrangulares y tuvieron un strikeout a pared de razón de poco menos de 2 a 1.

Les he dado los hechos. Ahora usted puede hacer su propia mente. Pero antes de elegir recuerda esto. La experiencia cuenta. Los Pericos fueron los Campeones del LMB en 2016. Los Toros han estado en la final una sola vez (2016 contra estos mismos Pericos) desde que ganaron el título de LMB como los Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos en1989.

Dar el borde de los Pericos.

Si eso todavía no te dice quién ganará, lo diré de nuevo. Los Pericos ganarán en 6 partidos.

Me estoy pegando el cuello, pero recuerda a los Piratas de Pittsburgh 1979, por 3 juegos a 1 que volvieron a vencer a los Orioles de Baltimore 4 partidos a 3 y ganar la Serie Mundial.

Los Medias Rojas de Boston de 2004 en el Campeonato ALCS 2004 cayeron detrás de los Yankees 3 partidos a ninguno, barrió los cuatro partidos restantes y pasó a barrer el St. Louis Cardinals 4 juegos a ninguno para ganar la Serie Mundial.

Cosas extrañas suceden que usted realmente tiene que jugar los juegos!

Serie del Rey Set to Begin in Tijuana on Tuesday

Can Puebla Defeat Tijuana in the Serie del Rey

The Pericos de Puebla enter the 2017 Serie del Rey as slight underdogs to the Toros de Tijuana. Oddsmakers give the Pericos a 47% chance of repeating as champions of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol.

Estadio Gasmart

The road to taking home the Copa Zaachila (the LMB Championship Trophy) begins in Tijuana. The Toros, with a league best regular season record of 76-34, get the first two games at home. The friendly confines of Estadio Gasmart, the home of the Toros, saw the Toros win 40 games and drop 16.  Games 3, 4 and 5 will be played on the Pericos home turf, Estadio de Beisbol Hermanos Serdan. Puebla hasn’t fared as well at home, going just 24-27 in Puebla. If necessary, games 6 and 7 will be played under the lights back in Tijuana.

Hermans Serdan

Winning at home for the Toros came easy this year but the Pericos were just 24-27 at home. One could say that Estadio de Beisbol Hermanos Serdan has been anything but friendly to Puebla. Despite rabid, raucous hometown fans the Pericos didn’t pitch well at home. Give edge here to Tijuana.

Tijuana pitchers led the league in ERA with a 3.52 mark. The Pericos on the other hand finished 11th in the league allowing 5.02 runs per game. This is the key for Puebla. If they allow that many runs a game, wins will be hard to come by.

Hitting wise though the Pericos have the edge. Their .305 batting average was second to Monterrey’s .307. Although the Toros managed to hit .281 that was only good for an 11th place finish.

Tijuana has the edge in pitching while Puebla gets the nod for hitting.

Edny Chavez

Edny Chavez led the Pericos in hitting, compiling a .343 average (6th in the league) with teammate Jesus Arredondo hitting .332 and Alberto Carreon following with a .317 average.

Cyle Hankerd hit .321 on the year with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs for Tijuana. Jose Guadalupe Chavez was the only other Toro with a batting average above .300.

The Toros pitching staff gave p just 971 hits in 975 ⅔ innings, striking out 753 batters and walking 278. This 3 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio may be the downfall to a team that struckout 675 times in 110 games.

Cyle Hankerd

Puebla pitchers on the other hand allowed 1144 hits in 965 ⅔ innings, giving up 85 home runs and had a strikeout to wall ratio of just under 2 to 1.

I’ve given you the facts. Now you can make up your own mind. But before you choose remember this. Experience counts. The Pericos were the 2016 Champions of the LMB. The Toros have been to the finals just once (2016 versus these same Pericos) since winning the LMB title as  the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in1989.

Give the edge to the Pericos.

If that still doesn’t tell you who will win, I will say it again. The Pericos will win in 6 games.

I’m sticking my neck out but remember the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates, down 3 games to 1 they came back to beat the Baltimore Orioles 4 games to 3 and win the World Series.

The 2004 Boston Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS Championship fell behind the Yankees 3 games to none, swept the remaining four games and went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to none to win the World Series.

Strange things happen we you actually have to play the games!

Pericos de Puebla enfrentará a los Toros de Tijuana en 2017 Serie Del Rey

PUEBLA TOPS YUCATAN MIENTRAS TIJUANA DEFEATS MONTERREY

La Liga Mexicana de Beisbol Campeonatas de 2016 Pericos de Puebla (56-54 en el año) se encargó de los negocios contra los Leones de Yucatán el jueves por la noche, derrotándolos 4-3 para ganar la Serie de Campeonato de la Zona Sur 4 juegos a 1.

Asimismo, los Toros de Tijuana (76-34 en todo) despacharon los juegos de Sultanes de Monterrey 4 a 1 para reclamar el Campeonato de la Zona Norte.

Estos dos equipos se reunirán para un mejor de 7 batalla en la Serie Del Rey comenzando con 2 partidos en Tijuana el 5 y 6 de septiembre. El 7 de septiembre es un día de viaje (la página web de LMB lo cataloga como "Descanso", un día de descanso, pero los equipos estarán viajando para continuar la serie en Puebla para 3 partidos a partir del 8 de septiembre. para el 10 de septiembre se enumera como un juego "si es necesario".

Los juegos 6 y 7, si es necesario, se jugarán en el estadio de los Toros de Tijuana.

Dado que los Pericos terminaron la temporada con un récord de 56-54 y los Toros de Tijuan tuvieron una liga líder en el mejor récord de 76-34, se podría suponer que los Toros deberían terminar esta serie en 4 partidos.

AH ... pero es por eso que jugar los juegos! Los expedientes de la estación se pueden lanzar hacia fuera la ventana. Cualquier equipo puede ganar una serie de 7 juegos si todas las piezas necesarias caen en su lugar. Piense en los 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates que derrotó a los poderosos NY Yankees, a pesar de estar fuera anotó 55-27. Nadie, y quiero decir que nadie dio a los Piratas una oportunidad contra los Yankees.

Yogi Berra una vez dijo "Pitching siempre late golpeando - y viceversa". No estaba muy lejos de la marca. Basta con mirar el registro de la temporada post de Clayton Kershaw. El mejor lanzador absoluto en la Liga Nacional durante las últimas temporadas, Kershaw ha luchado poderosamente en la temporada posterior.

Los lanzadores de Toros colocaron una liga que llevaba 3.52 ERA con 9 shutouts. Abandonaron el cuarto menor número de cuadrangulares (66) y colocaron el WHIP más bajo en 1.28.

Por el contrario, los Pericos fueron 2 º en la liga en batear con un promedio de .305, segundo en hits y quinto en la liga en carreras anotó con 640.

Los lanzadores de Puebla lucharon todo el año (de ahí el récord de 56-54) con una efectividad de 5.02, bueno para el 11 en la liga, 5 blanqueados y un WHIP de 1.58, 12 de 16 equipos en el LMB.

Los Toros que golpeaban en la otra mano tenían un promedio de bateo de .281, 9no en golpes con 1043 y 4to en funcionamientos anotó con 630.

Entonces, ¿quién gana? Las estadísticas darían la ventaja a los Toros, aunque estoy seguro de que los Pericos discutirían con vehemencia con ustedes.

AH ... pero es por eso que jugar los juegos! Los 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates nunca deberían haber derrotado a los Yankees.

Mi intuición es el sombrero que los Toros ganan en 6 juegos. Pero, imagino a Puebla tomando uno de dos partidos en Tijuana, barriendo los 3 partidos en Puebla y tomando el juego 7 en la costa oeste de México para repetir como Campeones de la Liga Mexicana de Beisbol para 2017.

Recuerda que lo escuchaste por primera vez aquí. Pero; si me equivoco, recuerda el canto de los fans de los viejos días de Brooklyn Dodger ... "Espera hasta el próximo año".

Pericos de Puebla To Face The Toros de Tijuana in 2017 Serie Del Rey

PUEBLA TOPS YUCATAN WHILE TIJUANA DEFEATS MONTERREY

The 2016 Liga Mexican de Beisbol Champion Pericos de Puebla (56-54 on the year) took care of business against the Leones de Yucatan on Thursday night, defeating them 4-3 to win the Serie de Campeonato of the Zona Sur 4 games to 1.

Likewise, the Toros de Tijuana (76-34 overall) dispatched the Sultanes de Monterrey4 games to 1 to claim the Campeonato of the Zona Norte crown.

These two teams will meet for a best of 7 battle in the Serie Del Rey beginning with 2 games in Tijuana the 5th and 6th of September. The 7th of September is a travel day (The LMB web page lists it as  "Descanso", a day of rest. But the teams will be travelling to continue the series in Puebla for 3 games beginning on the 8th of September. Game 5 scheduled for the 10th of September is listed as an "if necessary" game.

Games 6 and 7, if necessary will be played in the stadium of the Toros de Tijuana.

Given that the Pericos finished the season with a 56-54 record and the Toros de Tijuan had a league leading best 76-34 record, one could assume that the Toros should wrap up this series in 4 games.

AH...but that is why we play the games! Season records can be tossed out the window. Any team can win a 7 game series if all the necessary pieces fall in place. Think of the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates who defeated the mighty NY Yankees despite being out scored 55-27. No one, and I mean no one gave the Pirates a chance against the Yankees.

Yogi Berra once said "Pitching always beats hitting - and vice versa". He was not too far off the mark. Just look at the post season record of Clayton Kershaw. The absolute best pitcher in the National League for the past few seasons, Kershaw has struggled mightily in the post season.

The Toros pitchers posted a league leading 3.52 ERA with 9 shutouts. They gave up the 4th fewest home runs (66) and posted the lowest WHIP at 1.28.

Conversely, the Pericos were 2nd in the league in hitting with a .305 average, 2nd in hits and 5th in the league in runs scored with 640.

The Puebla pitchers struggled all year (hence the 56-54 record) with a 5.02 ERA,good for 11th in the league, 5 shutouts and a WHIP of 1.58, 12th of 16 teams in the LMB.

The Toros hitting on the other hand had a batting average of .281, 9th in hits with 1043 and 4th in runs scored with 630.

So who wins? The statistics would give the edge to the Toros, although I am sure the Pericos would argue vehemently with you.

AH...but that is why we play the games! The 1960  Pittsburgh Pirates should never have beaten the Yankees.

My gut feeling is hat the Toros win in 6 games. But, I envision Puebla taking one of two games in Tijuana, sweeping the 3 games in Puebla and taking game 7 on the west coast of Mexico to repeat as Champions of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol for 2017.

Remember you heard it first here. But; if I'm wrong, remember the fan chant from the old Brooklyn Dodger days..."Wait 'til next year".

Leones de Yucatan Weekly Update - April 3rd 2017

LEONES IN GOOD FORM TO BEGIN THE SEASON

Leones Started Off Strong

The Leones have started off the 2017 season of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol in fine fashion. Having swept the Tigres de Quintana Roo in Merida, the Leones find themselves alone atop the Division Zona Sur with a 3-0 record.

With an offensive display that produced 29 runs and 45 hits in the 3 games, it’s hard to imagine the hitters continuing at such an explosive rate. The pitching staff was equally as impressive during the series with the Tigres, giving up 6 runs and 22 hits in the 3 game set. Are the Leones this good or are the Tigres that bad? Only time will tell.

The boys from Merida have a .398 team batting average (2nd in the league), led the LMB in hits but fall behind the Pericos de Puebla in most other categories. It should be noted that the Pericos played the Bravos de Leon, a reincarnation of the Broncos de Reynosa, who finished 24-88 in 2016...last in the Zona Norte while the Tigres finished 68-45 in Zona Sur.

2nd in the LMB in Batting Average

Our pitchers rank 3rd in the LMB in ERA, 4th in hits allowed, 4th on walks allowed and tied for 3rd in the WHIP category. For those of you not aware of the term WHIP, it is a statistic for

Walks+Hits per Inning Pitched. The Leones pitching staff, which includes starters and relievers allow 1.11 hits and walks per inning. A number this low bodes well for the season, if sustainable.

Aguilar's Gold Glove

On Sunday, the final game of the 3 game set with the Tigres, the Leones showed off their individual fielding prowess from the 2016 season as they presented league Gold Glove Awards to Kevin Flores, Jose Aguilar and Ricardo Serrano

Based on what I have seen so far, I will stand by my prediction of the Leones finishing with a 75-36 record, champions of the Zona Sur and a good chance to bring the Serie del Rey trophy home to Merida.  

Leones Sweep Series From Tigres With 13-1 Drubbing

JOSE AGUILAR HITS 1ST LEONES HOME RUN

Aguilar's Home Run Swing

The Leones hitters feasted once again on the pitching of the Tigres. The 3 game series saw Yucatan score 29 runs on 45 hits while holding the Tigres to 6 runs on 22 hits. With this balance of pitching and hitting, the Leones should advance nicely towards the Zona Sur division championship of the LMB.

10,400 loyal fans braved the 102 degree temperatures at game time and had plenty to cheer about. To put this number of fans in perspective, 3,800 fans watched the Diablos lose to Monclova, 3,700 saw the Pericos de Puebla defeat the Bravos de Leon and 2,700 die hard Piratas fans witnessed the heart breaking loss of the home team to the Olmecas de Tabasco.

The Leones led 4-0 before Ramon Ramirez hit a lead off home run for the Tigres in the top of the 3rd inning. That was the only bad pitch that Leones starter Juan Delgadillo (1-0) threw in his 5 innings on the mound as he held the Tigres to 3 hits. Three Yucatan relievers shutout the Tigres on 1 hit over the last 4 innings. Juan Arballo (0-1) gave up 7 runs on 10 hits over 3 innings to take the loss.

Delgadillo on the mound

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Jose Aguilar hit a lead off home run, the 1st HR of the year for the Leones.

Delgadillo pitched out of a jam in the 5th inning. He gave up singles to Iker Franco and Ramon Ramirez that put runners on the corners with no outs. Delgadillo then uncorked a wild pitch that put Ramirez on second but Jose Felix and then Mario Vega flew out to shallow center and Delgadillo struck out Greg Golson to end the threat and the inning.

Jordany Valdespin triple

Jordany Valdespin tripled and drove in 4 while going 2 for 5 and Leo Heras was 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Leones offensive attack.

Can the Leones de Yucatan keep this up over the course of the season? Is the pitching staff of the Tigres this bad? We'll know more as the Leones travel to Tabasco to take on the 1-2 Olmecas and the Tigres return home to face the 2-1 Piratas de Campeche.

The Leones return to Parque Kukulcan on Friday, April 7th, to begin a 3 game series with Campeche.

Todos Somos Leones!

IN OTHER LMB ACTION:

Monclova 4, Mexico 3

The Acereros scored twice in the 8th inning to tie the game and broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the 9th to beat the Diablos 4-3. Rodolfo Amador hit a sac fly to center that scored Josh Vargas with the go ahead run. Benny Suarez (1-0) pitched a scoreless to pick up the win and Chad Gaudin worked the 9th to earn his 1st save for Monclova. Nathanael Santiago (0-1) gave up the winning run in the 9th to take the loss. Ivan Terrazas was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs in the losing effort for the Diablos.

Puebla 16, Leon 6

The Pericos scored 9 times in the bottom of the 8th inning to break open a close game. Puebla scored 16 runs on 16 hits in the win over the Bravos. Daniel Sanchez clubbed a pinch hit home run while going 2 for 2 with 3 RBIs, Cole Gillespie was 3 for 5 with 7 RBIs and Ceasr Tapia went 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored for Puebla. Niko Vasquez was 1 for 3 with a home run, 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored for Leon.

Monterrey 9, Saltillo 5

Walter Ibarra was 2 for 4 with a home run a double and 3 RBIs in the Sultanes 9-5 win over the Saraperos. Heber Gomez went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for Saltillo. Marco Carrillo (1-0) got the win in relief while Saltillo's starter,Carlos Pimentel (0-1), gave up 7 runs on 5 hits in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss. 16,200 hometown fans, the largest LMB crowd on Sunday, watched the Sultanes take the rubber match from Saltillo and improve to 2-1 on the young season.

Aguasclientes 9, Durango 4

The Rieleros scored 5 runs in the 1st to innings and coasted to the 9-4 win over the Generales. Guillermo Trujillo (1-0) allowed 3 runs on 5 hits in 5 innings of work to get the win. Jon Sintes (0-1) was roughed up for 7 runs on 9 hits, including 2 home runs, in taking the loss. Saul Soto was 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs and Ricky Pedroza added a home run and 2 RBIs for the Rieleros. Henry Alejandro Rodriguez was 2 for 5 with an RBI and Daniel Nunez 2 for 4 with a triple for Durango.

Oaxaca 7, Veracruz 6

Guerreros Celebrate Walk Off Win

The Guerreros got a walk off single from Alejandro Gonzalez with 1 out in the bottom of the 9th to top Veracruz 7-6. Lauro Ramirez (1-0) worked 1/3 of an inning to get the win in relief. Joan Montero (0-1) gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in 1 inning of relief and was charged with the loss. Gonzalez was 3 for 5 with the big RBI and Jose Martinez 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs for Oaxaca. Ivan Jimenez went  2 for 5 with 2 runs scored, Carlos Lopez 2 for 5 and Luis Suarez 2 for 3 for Veracruz.

Tabasco 2, Campeche 1

Both starting pitchers looked very good, with Angel Ariaza going 5 1/3 innings and allowing a run for the Olmecas while Francisco Campos was shutting out Tabasco for 5 innings but neither pitcher figured in the final decision. Heriberto Ruelas (1-1) got the win in relief with Ramon Troncoso earning the save. Derrick Loop (0-1) worked the 9th for the Piratas and took the loss. Loop's throwing error on a pick off attempt allowed Alex Romero to score from third with the go head run. Romero, Sandy Madera and Pedro Diaz were all 2 for 4 for the Olmecas.

Tijuana 6, Laguna 1

Alex Liddi homered in his 3rd consecutive game and Dustin Martin added his 2nd home run of the year in the Toro's 6-1 win over the Vaqueros. Liddi was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and Martin 2 for 3. Jaime Pedroza went 2 for 3 at the plate for Laguna. Miguel Pena (1-0) went 6 innings allowing 3 hits in getting the win while Marco Quevedo (0-1) struck out 7 but was touched for 3 runs in 5 innings in the loss

Leones Double Up the Tigres 8-4

FIVE RUN 2ND INNING PUTS YUCTAN UP

Jonathan Castellanos

The Leones offense continues to excel in the young season with 27 hits and 16 runs in their first two games of the year. The starting pitching has been outstanding allowing just 2 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings.

Jordany Valdespin tripled to lead of the bottom of the 2nd for the Leones and scored on an Humberto Sosa double to center. Ricardo Serrano singled on a ball hit to deep short. Hector Paez singled to right to load the bases with no outs. One out later, Leo Heras hit a fly ball to center that was dropped for an error as Sosa and Serrano scored. Jose Aguilar singled to drive in Paez. Heras scored on a double play that took too long to develop and the Leones had a 5-0 lead after 2 innings.

The Tigres got 2 runs back in the top of the 3rd on a single by Greg Golson and a home run by Eugenio Velez cut the lead to 5-2.

Cacao Scores

Cacao Valdez got things going for the Leones in the bottom of the 5th with a lead off single. Valdespin walked. With one out Serrano singled to left to load the bases. Paez was hit by a pitch to force in Valdez. Kevin Flores followed with a single to drive in Valdespin and Serrano. Three more runs and an 8-2 lead.

A walk and two singles loaded the bases with no outs for the Tigres in the top of the 7th inning. After a pop up to the infield for the 1st out, Christian Marrero hit a sac fly to left to plate Jose Felix. Brian Hernandez singled to drive in Greg Golson but that would be all the runs the Tigres could score and after Jairo Asencio set the Tigres down in order in the 9th the Leones had the 8-4 win and a 2-0 record on the year.

Jario Ascencio

Jonathan Castellanos (1-0) went 5 innings, giving up 6 hits and 2 runs. He walked 2 and struck out 2 in garnering the win. Tyler Herron (0-1) was touched for 7 runs on 8 hits in 4 1/3 innings in the loss.

Ricardo Serrano was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored, Cacao Valdez 2 for 5 and Leo Heras 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for Yucatan.

Greg Golson went 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored for the Tigres while Eugenio Velez was 1 for 5 with the home run and 2 RBIs.

Game 3 of the series is on Sunday. Monday is an off day with the Leones traveling to Villahermosa to take on the Olmecas de Tabasco for 3 games beginning on Tuesday the 4th of April.

IN OTHER LMB ACTION

Mexico 17, Monclova 10

These two teams combined for 30 hits and 27 runs in a game that saw 6 home runs, 4 by the Acereros and 2 by the Diablos in a game that was all offense and ineffective pitching. Jorge Vasquez was 4 for 4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs and Ivan Terrzas 4 for 6 with 5 RBIs for Mexico. Manny Rodriguez was 1 for 3 with a 3 run home run and Matt Clark went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs for Monclova. Daric Barton also homered for the Acereros.

Leon 10, Puebla 7

The Bravos de Leon won their 1st game as the reincarnated Broncos de Reynosa by defeating the defending champion Pericos de Puebla 10-7. Leon scored 6 runs in the 5th inning and outlasted the Pericos. Mitch Lively (1-0) threw 6 innings, scattering 6 hits to get the win. Karl Gelinas (0-1) was roughed up for 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks in his 4 innings of work. Miguel Torrero went 3 for 5 with a double and 2 RBIs for the Bravos while Endy Chavez was 2 for 5 with 2 RBIs for Puebla.

Oaxaca 9, Veracruz 0

Guerreros starter, Daniel Guerrero (1-0), held the Aguilas scoreless through 5 1/3 innings on 4 hits and 5 relievers limited Veracruz to 3 hits in 3 1/3 innings while striking out 4 to complete the shutout. Alex Maestri (0-1) gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in the loss. Ismael Martinez went 2 for 2 with 2 walks, a home run, 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored with Yancarlo Angulo going 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs for Oaxaca.

Campeche 8, Tabasco 2

Maxwell Leon was 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs and Paul Leon 1 foe 2 with 2 walks, a home run and 2 runs scored as the Piratas improved to 2-0 on the season. Dave Sappelt and Rolando Acosta each homered for the Olmecas in the loss. Jorge Castillo (1-0) gave up a run on 4 hits while striking out 4 in the win while Alejandro Astorga (0-1) gave surrendered 4 runs on 7 hits in taking the loss.

Aguascalientes 8, Durango 1

6 Rieleros pitchers held the Generales to 1 run on 8 hits with Carlos Chavez (1-0) picking up the win. Durango used 8 hurlers to no avail as Gaudencio Aguirre (0-1) took the loss. Cristhian Presici was 4 for 4 with 4 singles, a walk and 2 RBIs for the Rieleros. Adan Velazquez went 1 for 2 with a home run for Durango.

Monterrey 11, Saltillo 7

The Sultanes scored 5 times in the top of the 9th inning to break a 6-6 tie ballgame and went on to win 11-7. The Saraperos closer, Tony Pena Jr., (0-1) gave up all 5 runs in taking the loss. Oscar Villarreal (1-0) was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst to get the win. Luis Juarez was 2 for 6 with a home run and 3 RBIs, Said Gutierrez 2 for 3 with a home run and Leonardo German 3 for 4 with an RBI for Monterrey. Rainel Rosario was 3 for 5 and Luis Borges 2 for 2 with 2 RBIs for the saraperos.

Tijuana 5, Laguna 0

Watch Alex Liddi's HR here.

Horacio Ramirez (1-0) and 3 relievers shut out the Vaqueros on 3 hits with 7 strike outs. Jeremy Kehrt (0-1) gave up all 5 Toros runs on 6 hits in the loss. Alex Liddi went 1 for 3 with his 2nd home run of the year and Cyle Hankerd was 2 for 4 on the night for the Toros. Ethan Chapman, Anderson Hernandez and Ricky Alvarez had the hits for the Vaqueros Union Laguna.