The Pinar del Río Vegueros beat the top-seeded Sancti Spíritus Gallos 9-8 in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon, to complete a three-game sweep of their Quarterfinal Series opponent. It was a dramatic game where three times Pinar del Río put a comeback against Sancti Spíritus to take Game 3 and the Quarterfinal Series, becoming the first team of the 2021 Postseason advancing to the Semifinals. Pinar del Río is now waiting for an unknown rival from the others Quarterfinal series. BOX SCORE The Game In the bottom of the first inning, already losing 1-0, a walk to Juan C. Arencibia - who stole second -, a single by Reinaldo Lazaga that moved the runner to third, and a sacrifice fly by Lázaro Blanco allowed Pinar to tie the score at 1-1. When Sancti Spíritus scored three runs in the top of the second inning, that included Alberto Rodríguez solo blast to center field, Lázaro Rodríguez’s triple, RBI-single of Yoandy Baguet and a fielder-choice, plus another run in the fourth by Yunier Mendoza’ RBI-single, Pinar - again - took the lead in the bottom of the inning against starter José E. Santos, putting five runs on the board. The inning included RBI-singles by Pedro L. Dueñas, Lázaro E. Blanco, and Pedro L. Rodríguez, and a two-run double by Lazaga that sent Santos to the showers. In the sixth, Yaser J. González hit a solo home run to left field off reliever Pedro Álvarez to extend Pinar’s lead 7-5. Then it was Sancti Spíritus who trailed 7-5 entering the ninth. They put two on against closer Raidel Martínez before Frederich Cepeda two-out single to left cut the lead 7-6. Martínez added more gas to his fastball but it was not enough. In one of the most advantageous counts - 1-0 - Geisel Cepeda aggressively expanded the strike zone for a two-run double to center off Martínez to give Sancti Spíritus an 8-7 lead. In the ninth, Vegueros was down 8-7 when closer Pedro Álvarez walked Irandi Hernández to start the inning, and Luis P. Acosta got the game to go to extras with a clutch double to center to plate Hernández and tie the game at nine. In the bottom of the tenth and facing Yoen Socarrás, Pinar loaded the bases when – once again - Acosta hit a ground ball to short scoring the third base runner safely with the ball getting away from shortstop Daviel Gómez for a missed-catch error. It was a sad and crazy ending for Sancti Spíritus and its manager Eriel Sánchez. Like in Game 1, neither José E. Santos nor Dariel Fernández, starters of Game 3, made it through the fifth inning. Santos allowed five runs – all earned - and five hits in 3 2/3 innings, and Fernández allowed four runs - three earned - and four hits in 1 1/3 innings. And like in Game 1, both bullpens saw action, but Pinar’s was much better and that was the key, not only for this game but also for the series. Except for closer Raidel Martínez in the ninth, Pinar’s bullpen allowed only one run – unearned – after the second inning when Sancti Spíritus took a 4-1 lead and kicked starter Fernández off the mound. In the tenth, Martínez knew he could not repeat the same mistakes of the ninth inning. He then closed the inning in dominating fashion, with strikeouts over pinch-hitter Yadiel Guerra and second baseman Yoandy Baguet, while retiring lead-off Rodoleisis Moreno in soft line-drive at third baseman Pedro L. Rodríguez. After the ninth inning failure, Martínez really settled down, recording the last four outs of the game, and earning the win. His second this postseason. Per our writer and statistician Yirsandy Rodríguez, during the series Pinar scored 33 runs, had 44 hits, and 18 extra bases (14 doubles, a triple and three home runs). Pinar' slash line was .364/.447/.570. With the sweep Pinar del Río took a 4-1 lead in postseason series against Sancti Spíritus, the team also improved its winning record against the Gallos to .630 (17-10). Highlights National Series Quarterfinals Jan 27, Game 1: Pri 9, Ssp 7 (10 Innings) Jan 29, Game 2: Pri 15, Sancti Spíritus 4 (7 innings-Mercy Rule) Jan 31, Game 3: Ssp 8, Pri 9 (10 Innings) Pinar del Río won the series 3-0 (Top photo of Pinar del Río: Modesto Gutiérrez, Photo of Raidel Martínez: Modesto Gutiérrez)

In his finest start of the season, Granma’s righthander César García tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while walking two as the Granma Alazanes blanked the Industriales Leones, 4-0. García retired the last 10 hitters he faces in succession. There was little margin for error for García until the eighth inning as he nursed a 2-0 lead and his teammates stranded seven baserunners. BOX SCORE In the eighth, a two-run home run by catcher Iván Prieto – his second this postseason – off reliever Juan X. Peñalver provided some breathing room. The first run of the game came on a sacrifice fly by Osvaldo Abreu off starter Pavel Hernández in the third inning, one of the two runs allowed by the Leones’ starter. In the sixth, Roel Santos singled, moved to second with Abreu’s fly to right field, Despaigne was intentionally walked, and Guillermo Avilés followed with a single to center to load the bases. Then Hernández walked Carlos Benítez allowing Santos to score from third. Star of the Game: César García García was a decent pitcher during the regular season of the 60th National Series. The righthander threw 93 1/3 innings giving up 37 runs while winning 7 games. He also received an 8.58 run support during his outings. Today was different. Under pressure pitching an important Game 3, the García on display Saturday afternoon looked like the Blanco we saw two days ago. He got ahead of hitters, got lots outs via ground balls (12) and limited the power Leones lineup to just three hits – all singles – over seven innings. Against a difficult lineup that includes the season home run leader – Lisbán Correa – he got through seven innings with just 78 pitches. Then he got help form his bullpen. Miguel Paradelo and Carlos Santana finished the three-hitter combining for two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, and two walks. With the win, now Granma's pitchers have held the Leones scoreless through 18 innings. The Alazanes and Leones will play Game 4 of this series Monday morning at 1:00 p.m. Leandro Martínez will take on Brian Chi – starters of Game 1 - as the Alazanes look to punch their ticket to the Semifinals. National Series Quarterfinals Jan 27, Game 1: Ind 5, Grm 4 (10 Innings) Jan 28, Game 2: Ind 0, Grm 3 Jan 30, Game 3: Grm 4, Ind 0 Feb 1, Game 4 – 1 p.m.: Probables, Leandro Martínez, Grm (6-7-3.98) vs. Brian Chi, Ind (4-3-2.94) Granma leads the best-of-five series 2-1 (Top photo of César García: István Ojeda Bello)

The Pinar del Río Vegueros had a dominant 15-4 win over the Sancti Spíritus Gallos Friday morning in Game 2 of the best-of-five playoff round. Pinar del Río and Sancti Spíritus have played two Quartefinals games at 5 de Septiembre stadium and the Gallos have been beaten in each. Today the Vegueros scored nine runs in the third inning to fuel a lopsided 15-4 victory by the mercy rule (*) in Game 2. BOX SCORE Juan C. Arencibia, who went 3-for-6 in Game 1 on Wednesday, added three more hits and supplied the big blow with a two-run double to left field in the third inning, to turn a 7-0 into a 9-0. With six innings remaining the game was essentially over. After Sancti Spíritus scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Jorge Rojas hit a three-run homer in the sixth, to seal the score at 15-4, as the Vegueros took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, which resumes Sunday afternoon. Yaifredo Domínguez is scheduled to start for Pinar del Río, and José E. Santos will be tasked with keeping the Gallos season alive. Today Lázaro Blanco went 4-for-4 with three doubles and three RBIs, Yasser J. González was 4-for-5 with two RBIs, Pedro L. Rodríguez had three RBIs, while catcher Jorge Rojas – who made a fantastic foul-fly catch in the second inning – went 2-for-4 with his first career postseason home run totaling four RBIs. Overall Pinar had 18 hits in the game. Veteran righthander Vladimir Baños was his usual postseason self, providing five innings of four-runs – two earned - five-hit pitching, and improved to 11-12 with a 5.69 PCL in 32 career postseason starts. Baños job was not difficult against Yamichel Pérez, a lefthander that was key in Matanzas’ championship last year. The Sancti Spíritus starting pitcher lasted 2 1/3 innings against the savage Vegueros bats, giving up six runs – five earned -, six hits and walking one. With a chance to sweep the Gallos on Sunday and advance to the Semifinals for the first time since 2016, manager Alexander Urquiola must be happy he did not have to use his best relievers in Game 2. Frank L. Medina – who closed today’s game and threw only 14 pitches -, Liván Moinelo, and closer Raidel Martínez, they all pitched in the nail-biting postseason opener on Wednesday, but they will be rested and ready to go in Game 3. Based on the first two games, where Pinar outscored Sancti Spíritus 24-11, a Gallos comeback seems difficult. (*) In the Cuban League if a team leads a game by 10-plus runs at the conclusion of seven innings, the game is considered a KO victory and action is suspended. If the margin is 15 or more after five frames, then the game is also ended and goes into the record books as a “Super KO” victory. National Series Quarterfinals Jan 27, Game 1: Pri 9, Ssp 7 (10 Innings) Jan 29, Game 2: Pri 15, Sancti Spíritus 4 (7 innings-Mercy Rule) Jan 31, Game 3: Probables, Yaifredo Domínguez, Pri (9-6-3.93) vs. José E. Santos, Ssp (7-7-4.50) Pinar del Río leads the best-of-five series 2-0 (Top photo of Juan C. Arencibia: BaseballdeCuba, Photo of Vladimir Baños: BaseballdeCuba)

Lázaro Blanco threw 122 pitches, Darién García hit a two-run homer and the Granma Alazanes beat the Industriales Leones, 3-0, for the first time in postseason history. Blanco dominated as the Granma Alazanes shut out the Industriales Leones Thursday morning to level the best-of-five NS Quarterfinals Series at José A. Huelga Stadium. BOX SCORE In a game that lasted only 2 hours and 36 minutes, Blanco combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, and Darién García hit a two-run homer off starter Maikel Taylor in the fourth inning, and Granma never looked back. For García, who had 5 home runs in 190 AB during the regular season, it was his first career postseason home run. Game 3 is Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.) at Huelga Stadium, with probably José Pablo Cuesta starting for Industriales against César García. Blanco scattered four hits over 7 1/3 innings before giving way to Miguel Paradelo (1/3) and closer Kelvis Rodríguez, who worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. Industriales put two runners on in the fifth inning with two outs, but Blanco got Yoasán Guillén to ground out to end the inning. It was Industriales last real opportunity against the veteran righthander, who struck out six and walked two using 122 pitches. Alberto Calderón singled to left to start the sixth for Industriales, but Jorge Alomá popped out to center and Blanco had back-to-back struck outs against Stayler Hernández and Lisbán Correa. Maikel Taylor, pitching with Industriales for the first time since 2015, had a decent start completing 5 innings of 3 runs on 5 hits. He struck out 4, walked 6 and was charged with the loss. To his credit, Taylor made a fantastic catch in the 3rd inning with two runners on, avoiding Granma sacrifice hit and completing a sensational double play. Yandi Molina tossed three scoreless innings of relief, but damage was already done. Granma scored for the last time in the game in the fifth, when two walks and Carlos Benítez’ single loaded the bases. Catcher Iván Prieto followed with a sacrifice fly bringing Osvaldo Abreu home. With the win, the Alazanes finally broke through against the Leones. Today’s win was Granma’ first in nine postseason games since their first meeting back in 1989 during the 28 NS. National Series Quarterfinals Jan 27, Game 1: Ind 5, Grm 4 (10 Innings) Jan 28, Game 2: Ind 0, Grm 3 Jan 30, Game 3 – 1 p.m.: Probables, José Pablo Cuesta, Ind (7-6-4.35) vs. César García, Grm (7-4-3.57) Best-of-five series tied 1-1

The 60th Cuban National playoffs are well underway, but the defending champion is still to be seen. The quarterfinal series between Matanzas-Cienfuegos was pushed back two days, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the wait is over, today at 1 p.m. both teams will be action during Game 1 at José A. Huelga stadium in Sancti Spíritus. UPDATE: On Friday morning it was announced that two players from Cienfuegos tested positive for COVID-19. Game 1 will be suspended and will be wscheduled at a later date. As I did with the previous three quarterfinals series, today I have my prediction for this series. Cienfuegos (6) at Matanzas (3) – Friday, 1 p.m. ET on Tele Rebelde Game 1 starters CFG: Yasmani Insua (8-5-5.42) MTZ: Yoanni Yera (5-2-2.72) It is quite difficult to pinpoint one specific strength for the Matanzas Cocodrilos, it may just be their balance. They ranked fifth in home runs (55) and eighth in runs scored (429), as well as eighth in runs produced. On the pitching side, they ranked fourth in overall ERA (4.40) and their regular season record against the other seven teams that are in the postseason was .571 (20-15). However, there is a problem with this, only one team was able to beat Matanzas four out of five times during the regular season: Cienfuegos. How they did it? 12/5: Mtz 2, Cfg 12 12/6: Mtz 3, Cfg 9 12/15: Cfg 10, Mtz 3 12/16: Cfg 13, Mtz 8 12/17: Cfg 2, Mtz 9 Cienfuegos outscored Matanzas 46-25 in the 60th NS. During the stretch, they destroyed pitchers such as Dariel Góngora, Jonder Martínez, and Renner Rivero, all of them will see action this postseason. Having said that, the Matanzas team that we will see this postseason is a little different to the one we saw back in December. Consider this, to a lineup that was already the core of the 2020 Championship, Matanzas is adding the names of NPB players: Ariel Martínez (catcher) and Yurisbel Gracial (outfielder), along with three other stars from the Mexican League: outfielder Yadir Drake, shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena, and Matanzas ace, LHP Yoanni Yera. Playoff-tested Yera will get the start in Game 1, and they recently announced the return of Noelvis Entenza from the LVBP. A team as confident as Matanzas is will be exceedingly difficult to beat, I consider them favorites to win it all. On the other hand, Cienfuegos is the team of the future in the National Series, at least if they can keep most of the players. Cienfuegos is dynamic and exciting to watch. The team is led by the 60th NS batting champion, 22 y/old second baseman César Prieto, along with two seasoned players that will provide some power: third baseman Pavel Quesada (12 HR/.566 SLG/190 ISO) and outfielder Juan M. Soriano (9 HR/.438 SLG). A player to watch is slick-fielding shortstop Luis Vicente Mateo, who had 100 hits, 54 RBIs, and a .469 slugging this year. Veteran outfielder Yusniel Ibáñez (.317 BA, .467 SLG, 55 RBIs) I still productive, even when his speed around the bases has dropped. Pitching was the key for Cienfuegos against Matanzas this year, but overall, during the season Cienfuegos had the fifth worst ERA of the year, an alarming 5.61. Yasmani Insúa, Abel Campos (6-4-4.80), and Adrián Bueno (6-8-6.51) should be the starters, and they will need to have great outings if they want to be able to stop Matanzas hitters. In contrast, Cienfuegos’ relievers had the fourth best ERA (5.09) of the season. Carlos D. Ramírez, 35 games, 12 saves, and 3.69 ERA, is the closer. If the Elefantes manage to get to the nineth inning with a lead, they will need Ramírez to be able to lock it down. He blew only 3 saves opportunities this season. Luis A. Serpa, José Ozuna, and Hermes González will be the long arms of Cienfuegos bullpen this postseason. I believe a key factor this postseason will be Yoanni Yera. If Yera can consistently dominate in the playoffs, then there should be nothing to stop the Cocodrilos, even if they go the distance in any series, unless they are outpitched. Prediction: Matanzas over Cienfuegos (Top photos of Yasmani Insúa: Osvaldo Gutiérrez & Yoanni Yera: Ricardo López Hevia, Photo of Yadir Drake: John Vila Acosta/Photo of César Prieto: István Ojeda Bello)

They were down but never out. Facing a two-run deficit in the seventh inning of a key Game 1 of the Cuban National Series Quarterfinals, Pinar del Río pulled off a win in the second extra innings game of the 2021 Cuban postseason. Lázaro Emilio Blanco hit a single into the right field off Gallos reliever Yanieski Duardo in the 10th inning to score shortstop Juan C. Arencibia from second base, giving the Vegueros a decisive 8-7 lead – 9-7 was the final score – for a dramatic victory on Wednesday afternoon at 5 de Septiembre stadium in Cienfuegos. BOX SCORE The Vegueros lead the best-of-five Series, 1-0, and will send Vladimir Baños to the mound in Game 2 against Yamichel Pérez on Friday morning, with a chance to put Sancti Spíritus against the wall. Neither Yoen Socarrás nor Erlis Casanova, starters of Game 1, made it through the sixth inning. Casanova allowed seven runs (6 earned) and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, and Socarrás allowed seven runs (five earned) and eight hits in 5 frames. Both bullpens saw a lot of action, but Pinar’s bullpen was much better and that was one of the keys of the game for them. Reilandy González, Frank L. Medina, Liván Moinelo, and Raidel Martínez, combined for 5 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, giving their team a chance to comeback and win Game 1. Pedro Álvarez, working his fourth inning, recorded one out in the 10th before allowing Juan C. Arencibia’s double to right field. Sancti Spíritus’ manager, Eriel Sánchez, pulled out Álvarez and brought in Yanieski Duardo, one of his best relievers. Duardo walked pinch hitter Reinier León and allowed Blanco’ single to right field that scored Arencibia. Pinar was winning 8-7. William Saavedra followed with a grounder - fielder’s choice RBI - for the final score, 9-7. After the fourth inning the game was a back and forth until the seventh. Sancti Spíritus scored two runs in the first inning while Pinar discounted one against Socarrás in the second. But in the fifth, Arencibia’s double tied the score at 2, while an intentional walk to Blanco didn’t work out well for Sancti Spíritus when William Saavedra went deep to put Pinar del Río ahead, 5-2. It was Saavedra’s 21st home run in Cuban postseasons, fifth in the all-time list. After Vegueros took the lead scoring four runs in the top of the fifth inning, Sancti Spíritus turned the tables on Pinar by coming back from a 5-2 deficit in the bottom of the fifth. Three consecutive singles loaded the bases, and an error by Pinar’ shortstop allowed Sancti Spíritus to cut the lead to 5-4. Minutes later Frederich Cepeda hit a three-run homer off starter Casanova to put Sancti Spíritus back on top, 7-5. Sancti Spíritus would not score more in the game. The lead didn’t last much. In the top of the sixth, an error and four consecutive singles by Acosta, Rojas, Dueñas, and Arencibia, allowed Pinar to tie the game at 7, sending starter Socarrás to the showers. Pedro Álvarez threw 3 2/3 on relief allowing only three hits and the decisive run in the 10th. He was charged with the loss. Pinar’s closer Raidel Martínez was brilliant during his 2 innings of work. His fastball was clocked at 97 mph and had some movement. He faced seven batters allowing only one hit while striking out four, three in the tenth to earn the win. National Series Quarterfinals Jan 27, Game 1: Pri 9, Ssp 7 (10 Innings) Jan 29, Game 2 – 10 a.m.: Probables, Vladimir Baños, Pri (9-6-3.93) vs. Yamichel Pérez, Ssp (7-7-4.50) Pinar del Río leads the best-of-five series 1-0 (Top photo of William Saavedra: Radio Rebelde)

The Santiago de Cuba Avispas powered up late against the Las Tunas Leñadores to take Game 1 of the Cuban Quarter Finals series by a score of 7-4. BOX SCORE Andrés Quiala got the Leñadores on the board early with a first-inning double off starter Carlos Font to bring Yunieski Larduet home. The Avispas were held scoreless until an Edilse Silva single to left – with bases loaded - in the third off Las Tunas starter Yudier Rodríguez tied the score at 1-1. Seconds later, Santiago took the lead by an error of leftfielder Héctor Castillo allowing Santiago Torres to score. An inning later, Osday Silva’ single combined with a sacrifice hit and back-to-back singles of Marcos Fonseca and Santiago Torres extended the lead at 3-1. Las Tunas responded in the fifth. With one out and still facing Font, the Leñadores loaded the bases and an infield single by Danel Castro and an error tied the score at 3-3. After loading the bases again, Font was able to survive in the inning thanks to a double-play grounder via 3-6-6-1 against Rafael Viñales. In the sixth inning, the Leñadores took the lead 4-3 against Font with sacrifice fly of Manuel Avila that brought home Yordanis Alarcón. That score held until the bottom of the seventh, when Rudens Sánchez doubled, Edilse Silva singled tying the score at 4-4 and Adriel Labrada connected off Yudier Rodríguez for a go-ahead two-runs home run. Santiago scored one more run in the inning for the final 7-4 score. It was a disastrous seventh inning for Las Tunas’ manager Abdel Civil, who did not take starter Yudier Rodríguez out of the game after six innings of work. Font pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits. In ocassions he was erratic but struck out two and got the run support he needed for the win. Avispas closer Yunior Tur closed out the favored Leñadores, getting six outs and striking out three. He was credited with the save. Yunior Tur was solid on relief and got his first save of the 2021 postseason. (Photo: José R. Castillo) Game 1 on Tuesday Monday had no attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic. No fans are expected in the rest of the 2021 Cuban postseason. National Series Quarterfinals Jan 26, Game 1: Scu 7, Ltu 4 Jan 28, Game 2 – 1 p.m: Probables, RHP Alberto Bicet (Scu) vs. RHP Yoalkis Cruz (Ltu) Santiago de Cuba leads the best-of-five series 1-0 (Top photo of Carlos Font: Roberto Morejón)

There’s domination and there’s the Leones and the Alazanes in the postseason. With their unbelievably exciting 5-4 victory in 10 innings in Game 1 on Tuesday, the Leones have won 9 straight postseason games against the Alazanes, the longest win streak by any team against a single opponent in Cuban postseason history. It didn’t matter that stars such as Alfredo Despaigne and Guillermo Avilés were back in Granma’s lineup for the game. Also it didn’t matter that Granma was three outs away from winning its first postseason game against Industriales. At the end, the Leones found a way to tie the game in the nineth, and take it to extra innings where they were able to score and beat the Alazanes, once again. BOX SCORE There was Alberto Calderón, who avenged his 0-for-3 in the nineth inning with his team facing defeat. Calderón led off the top of the inning with a solo homer off Granma closer Kelbis Rodríguez to tie the score at 4-4. Then it was Industriales’ closer Andy Rodríguez who ended this Game 1 classic, picking up the final six outs. Andy had an almost perfect relief, retiring five of the six batters he faced, walking one with two strikeouts. Andy Rodríguez was stellar on relief for Industriales. (Photo: IndustrialesdeLaHabana site) Industriales scored first against starter Leandro Martínez in the first inning, when Jorge Luis Barcelán was hit by a pitch with bases loaded. The Leones extended their lead in the third, thanks to back-to-back singles of Stayler Hernández and Lisbán Correa, an error, and sacrifice fly of Barcelán. Industriales starter Brian Chi kept Granma’ bats mostly quiet during the first four innings, but the 21 y/old righthander couldn’t hold the lead in the fifth. With one out Raico Santos doubled to right, Osvaldo Abreu was hit by a pitch, and Alfredo Despaigne drilled an RBI single to center as Santos beat the throw home. Minutes later a wild pitch brought Abreu home with the tying run. Alex Sánchez led off the seventh with a single off Chi, and Industriales’ manager, Guillermo Carmona, didn’t wait a minute and decided to pull Chi out of the game. Chi didn’t disappoint in only his second postseason career start, completing six innings of two runs – three at the end of the game – on six hits while striking out 3 with 3 walks. Carmona turned to Juan Peñalver, who got one out, but allowed Abreu’s single to center – well played by Guillén avoiding a double – that moved the runner to third and sacrifice fly of Despaigne to extend Granma’ lead to 4-2. With only two more chances left, the Leones started their comeback in the eighth and nineth innings against Kelbis Rodríguez, who was asked to protect a two-run lead and pick-up a six-out save. He instead picked up a blown save. In the eighth, back-to-back-to-back singles of Andrés Hernández, Barcelán, and pinch hitter Wilfredo Aroche cut the lead to 4-3. While in the nineth, center fielder Alberto Calderón sent a ball into history, going the other way off Rodríguez to tie the game 4-4. In the tenth, Carmona continued to move his pieces and, with one out, pinch hitter Oscar Valdés singled to right off reliever Carlos Santana to get things started. Yosvany Peñalver followed with single to right field that moved Valdés to third base, and when Calderón grounded to Santana, he decided to throw to second to complete a 1-6-6-3 double play to end the inning, but Granma’ shortstop Yulián Milián made a throwing error to first allowing Valdés to score the winning run. Wednesday is day off and Game 2 is scheduled on Thursday 10:00 am at José A. Huelga Stadium in Sancti Spíritus. National Series Quarterfinals Jan 26, Game 1: Ind 5, Grm 4 (10 Innings) Jan 28, Game 2 – 10 a.m.: Probables, RHP Maikel Taylor (Ind) vs. RHP Lázaro Blanco (Grm) Industriales leads the best-of-five series 1-0 (Top photo of Alberto Calderón: Andy Lans)

The 60th Cuban National Series postseason will get underway today, with the Santiago de Cuba-Las Tunas and Granma-Industriales series – I went over both predictions yesterday – while another series will begin on Wednesday, Pinar del Río-Sancti Spíritus. The first change to the 2021 postseason schedule was announced yesterday. Cienfuegos-Matanzas will play Game 1 on Thursday, Jan 27th instead of a day earlier, a change related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the RY-PCR tests performed on the Cienfuegos players. And because making playoff predictions in baseball is always fun and foolish, here is my prediction for the Quarter Finals series between Vegueros (Pinar del Río) and Gallos (Sancti Spíritus). 2021 Quarter-finals schedule Pinar del Río (8) at Sancti Spíritus (1) – Wednesday, 10 a.m. ET on Tele Rebelde Game 1 starters PRI: Vladimir Baños (8-4-3.93) SSP: Yoen Socarrás (11-4-2.63) Knowing that pitching depth is always important in short series, we can deduce that the best-of-five series between Vegueros and Gallos will be an epic one. Vegueros, with a long history of titles and a clear advantage in postseasons, will be a challenge for the regular season first place Sancti Spíritus. Both teams were the only ones that had an ERA under 4.00 during the regular season. Pinar led the league with an excellent 3.58 while Sancti Spíritus rotation was not far behind, 3.91. The question here is: which rotation will hold more? Pinar has a lot of experience with starters Erlis Casanova, Vladimir Baños, and youngster Yaifredo Domínguez, whom combined for 274 innings, 23 wins, and a 3.45 ERA in the 60th NS and totalize 15 postseason wins. The Gallos starters, Yoen Socarrás (11-4-2.63), Yamichel Pérez (7-7-4.50), and José E. Santos (7-4-4.17) - except for Yoen - they lack experience and combined have won only two postseason games, that will be key in the series. I do believe we may see promising Pedro Álvarez – who started only 8 games this year – taking a more decisive role in the series. In modern baseball, the bullpen is almost everything and it’s here where I like Pinar chances. The Gallos have relievers with excellent numbers: Yanieski Duardo who saved 11 games, and Yankiel Mauri who from the bullpen won 10 games and saved 5. However, the return of LHP Liván Moinelo and RHP Raidel Martínez from the NPB, plus the arms of Frank L. Medina – 10 saves – and Reilandy González – 49 IP/45 SO & 1.82 ERA in the season - will make Pinar overwhelmingly favorite, especially if they get to the late innings with at least minimum advantage. Offensively both teams struggled to produce runs during the season. Pinar will love to see William Saavedra be the guy he knows he can be in postseasons – 20 HRs/60 RBIs in 65 games – but my eyes will be in Yaser Julio González, first Pinar’s hitter with 17 home runs since Yosvany Peraza in the 2012-13 season. Sancti Spíritus’ manager should not underestimate the 121 runs batted in by the trio of Dueñas-Rodríguez-Blanco. With the lack of power from other hitters, Pinar's manager Alexander Urquiola should exploit as much as he can speedy Juan Carlos Arencibia, who had 19 steals this year. Four hitters are the core of Sancti Spíritus’ offense: veterans Freddie Cepeda - .369, 31 EXT, 48 RBIs - & Yunier Mendoza - .333, 27 EXT, 47 RBIs -, and youngsters Geisel Cepeda - .354, 23 EXT, 48 RBIs - & Daviel Gómez - .317, 35 RBIs -. For Freddi, unfortunately, this will be one of his last opportunities of winning a championship with his hometown team. One interesting thing about this series, and overall, about this postseason is to see how the bubbles affect performance, if at all. The policy of no travel days and a day-rest in between games will also be beneficial to bullpens but, again, I do believe it will benefit more the team with the deepest bullpen this postseason, and that is Pinar del Rio. Prediction: Pinar del Río over Sancti Spíritus (Photos Ricardo López Hevia, Oscar Alfonso, Marcelino Vázquez, Juan Moreno)

Finally, after a 75-games season, the 2021 Cuban postseason is set. Eight teams are in, for the first time since 2012, and the action begins with two series on Tuesday. Two other series will get underway Wednesday. This year there will be one-day rest between games for all series, for the first time in Cuban postseason history. Here is a look at the first two of the best-of-three series matchups: 2021 Quarter-finals schedule Las Tunas (5) at Santiago de Cuba (4) – Tuesday, 10 a.m. ET on Tele Rebelde Game 1 starters LTU: Yudier Rodríguez (12-5-3.43) SCU: Carlos Font (12-3-4.14) Santiago de Cuba advanced to a Cuban postseason for the first time since 2010 and will have to face an offensive team that won the title two years ago. Las Tunas is arriving to this postseason with a potent offense that can score a lot of runs. The team led the league in homeruns (70) and were second in BA (.331). Veterans like Danel Castro, the Alarcón brothers (26 HRs combined), Rafael Viñales (19 HRs), and the speedy Yuniesky Larduet (23 steals) can be a problem for Santiago’s rotation. Pitching will depend on the return of their ace Carlos Juan Viera, but veterans Yudier Rodríguez and Yoalkis Cruz, along with youngster Alejandro Meneses may be able to lead a rotation with an ERA (4.98) just under the league average (5.16). On the other hand, Santiago de Cuba is no longer the powerhouse of the 90’s and 2000’s and this postseason the team will not have one of their best hitters on Yoelkis Guibert (.362 BA in 43 games this year). The team’s rotation is also a question mark. Santiago’s ace, Carlos Font (12-3 this year), will be leading a rotation with minimum postseason experience. The big question is how veterans Alberto Bisset and Danny Betancourt will perform against a solid offensive lineup such as Las Tunas. Yunior Tur is one of the best closer in Cuban baseball, but I can assure you he will be tested. Santiago possesses an exciting young player on Santiago Torres, with a slash line of .363/.466/.613, and one of the candidates to the MVP award. However, Torres will need all help he can get from veterans Edilse Silva and Ariel Benavides, and established Adriel Labrada and Rudens Sánchez. Prediction: Las Tunas over Santiago de Cuba Industriales (7) at Granma (2) – Tuesday, 1 p.m. ET on Tele Rebelde Game 1 starters IND: Brian Chi (4-3-2.94) GRM: Leandro Martínez (6-7-3.98) Industriales barely advanced to the postseason to face a team that won 48 games this year and that has won two of the last four championships (2017-2018). For the record, Granma has never beaten Industriales in the postseason, then the question is, will this trend continue? Ten games and ten defeats is Granma all-time record against the Blue Lions but… we are in 2021 and I do believe Granma can put a stop to that trend. Granma and manager Carlos Martí enter this series as the favorites. The series should be an exciting battle between Industriales’ young rotation and the Granma’ power-packed lineup. Consider that four of the best Granma’s hitters have some type of experience playing pro-leagues: Raico Santos, Guillermo Avilés, Alfredo Despaigne, and Roel Santos – on his way back from Venezuela and pending to be added to the team. One hitter will be missed ate least during this Quarter-final series, Lázaro Cedeño (.331 BA/11 HRs), who is still recovering from an injury. Lefty Leandro Martínez will start Game 1 on Tuesday but ace Lázaro Blanco (7-1-2.01) is expected for Game 2 on Thursday. It was an up-and-down season for Industriales and manager Guillermo Carmona. The team was affected like no other by the COVID-19 pandemic, ending on a 6-4 kick to win the postseason ticket. I know I already said that Granma is the favorite to win the series – going against history here – but Industriales remains dangerous. There is a lot of question marks for a rotation that seems to be one of the worst ever for an Industriales team. Brian Chi, the addition of RHP Maykel Taylor – with experience in foreign leagues but without pitching in Cuba for the last 6 years – José P. Cuesta (7-6-4.35), and relievers Andy Rodríguez (12 SV) and Héctor Ponce (7 SV) are Carmona’ best choices to stop Granma. One of the top candidates to the MVP Award this season, Lisbán Correa, who led the league in HRs (28) and RBIs (82), will lead a team with the second worst number of runners stranded (2116), slightly better than…Granma (2161) and Cienfuegos (2161). Correa will be helped by experienced players such as Frank C. Morejón (.300), Stayler Hernández (.327/7 HRs/64 RBIs) and Yoandy Urgellés (.301), while youngsters Alberto Calderón and Jorge Alomá should be key in Industriales' success this postseason. With that said, there’s no such thing as an upset in a best-of-three series, and I repeat, Industriales is a dangerous team. Prediction: Granma over Industriales (Photos Rafael Viñales & Santiago Torres/Dubler Vázquez, Lisbán Correa & Guillermo Avilés/Yirsandy Rodríguez & Ibrahín Sánchez/Boris Luis Cabrera)

Following a 75-game regular season, the 2021 Cuban League playoffs schedule, featuring an expanded 8-team field for the first time since 2012, was announced today. The Quarter-finals round is going to be played in bubble locations. Those locations are: José A. Huelga Stadium in Sancti Spíritus: Granma (2) vs. Industriales (7) & Cienfuegos (6) vs. Matanzas (3) 5 de Septiembre Stadium in Cienfuegos: Pinar del Río (8) vs. Sancti Spíritus & Las Tunas (5) vs. Santiago de Cuba (4) After completion of the Quarter-finals round, the reinforcements for the four teams advancing to the semifinals will be selected. All postseason rosters will consist of 29 players. Below is the full schedule for the 2021 postseason quarter-finals. Times are subject to change. (Photo 5 de Septiembre Stadium/Phil In The Blanks)

A month has passed since my last post and, with only one week left in the schedule of the 60th Cuban National Series - considering the new series that started today -, there is a lot to decide for the upcoming 2021 CNS Postseason. Ten teams are still with chances of making the cut to the Cuban Play Offs. Surprisingly, Granma and Sancti Spíritus are now leading the tournament, both tied in first place with an identical 42-25 record. Meanwhile, Las Tunas is just two games behind, and four other teams follow: Matanzas and Cienfuegos, three games back, and Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba, 5 GB. Pinar del Río, five and a half games back, will be the last qualifier if the season would end today. Besides the top eight teams there are two others, Industriales and Mayabeque, with still chances of making it to the following and decisive round. Industriales has been lacking good pitching and is now positioned in “zona de eliminación”, but just ½ game behind Pinar. The bad news for the team is that because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent 11 cases that have been identified on the team, they will not play again until January, when the season will resume play with all pending games. In the other hand, a surprising Mayabeque is not far either, just one game away of Industriales and 1 ½ behind Pinar. If you ask me, I do believe Pinar del Río and Industriales are the teams with more opportunities to make it to the 2021 Cuban Play Offs. Pinar is the only team with still 15 games to play, a clear advantage, while Industriales has 12 games pending, including two against Pinar. Are we going to know the eight teams that will advance to the postseason before the end of the year? Absolutely no. While the top 5 teams most likely will secure their ticket when the qualifying calendar ends on December 27th, the following three to advance will not be easy to predict, and fans will have to wait until beginning of January 2021, when all pending games are finally celebrated. Highlights of the last four weeks: 45-Game Hitting Streak: César Prieto Set a New Record 21-year-old second baseman César Prieto, from the Cienfuegos Elephants, who on November 21 broke Rey Isaac’s 1994 Cuban record of 37-game hitting streak, on November 28 set the new record at 45 GHS. Prieto saw his streak broke against Granma’s pitchers Erluis Blanco and Kelbis Rodríguez, when he went 0-for-5 in the game. Here is the sequence of his at bat in a game that his team lost 6-2: 1 INN – 43 2 INN – F7 5 INN – F8 7 INN – 63 9 INN – 3U According to our senior writer Yirsandy Rodríguez, since September 19 when the streak started, 69 days passed, 222 plate appearances and 11 Saturdays. Prieto’s batting average during the streak was .432 (45-83) and his offensive line was .432/.486/.604 (AVG/OBP/SLG). The second baseman faced 84 pitchers during the stretch and was successful against 63 for a sensational 75%. Yirsandy also adds that, Prieto was so consistent that he was able to have 27 multi-hits games, securing - during those games - 78% of his 222 PA. Prieto got on base in 50 consecutive games during the streak, a sensational feat in this era of on-base performances. Even when the Cuban National Series level is not the same than 10 years ago, Prieto deserves all credit for this spectacular feat in Cuban seasons, an achievement that will be extremely difficult to break. Ciego’s RHP Luis Alberto Marrero throws third “no-hitter” of 2020 NS Season It looks like this 60th NS is made for no-hitter performances. The last time the Cuban National Series had three no-hitters was 20 years ago, during the 39 NS (1999-2000). This year, after the ones completed by righthanders Arnaldo Rodríguez and Noelvis Entenza, RHP from Ciego de Ávila, Luis Alberto Marrero, completed the third no-hitter of the season on November 26th against Artemisa. It was a shortened game, only 5 innings, and where the Mercy Rule for teams winning by at least 15 runs after 5 innings was applied. Marrero got offensive support from his team, that had 16 hits including 7 doubles and two triples, to complete his 5 innings of work. The final score was 15-0. Marrero strikeout two and had no walks in a game that lasted only 1 hour and 37 minutes. It was the fourth no-hitter in franchise history for Ciego and second this year. Some Feats During the Past Month 12/20: Las Tunas’ outfielder Héctor Castillo hit by the cycle against Santiago de Cuba in 18-6 win at Guillermón Moncada Stadium in Santiago. Castillo went 4-for-5 during the game with 2-RBIs. 12/20: César Prieto set a new record for most singles in a 75-games season. Prieto went 3-for-5 against Isla de la Juventud for his 118th hit of the year, breaking Amado Zamora's record of 115 from 1985 during the 24 CNS. 12/19: Isla de la Juventud’ infielder Luis Felipe Rivera reached the 2000 hits mark in National Series to become the 26th hitter in the 2000 Hit Club in Cuban NS. 12/16: Sancti Spíritus’ veteran outfielder Frederich Cepeda hits his 400th career double in National Series. Cepeda reached the milestone against Camagüey’s RHP Yosimar Cousin. Doing so, Cepeda became the only hitter in NS history with 400 doubles, 300 homeruns, and 2000 hits. 12/10: Denis Laza of the Mayabeque Huracanes reaches 1,000-hit mark in Mayabeque 8-3 loss against Industriales at Latinoamericano Stadium. 12/05: RHP Jorge Hernández of the Cienfuegos Elefantes beat Matanzas 12-2 notching the longest period of time between National Series wins – 7 years, 1 month, 1 day. 12/05: Lisbán Correa of the Industriales Leones became the 2nd Industriales player with more homeruns in a season with 22 passing Kendrys Morales fantastic 21 HRs mark during his rookie 2002 Cuban season (41 NS). 11/28: Against RHP Erluis Blanco and Kelbis Rodríguez of Granma, César Prieto had his 45-GHS halted. Prieto went 0-for-5 in a Cienfuegos 6-2 loss. 11/26: Ciego’ RHP Luis Alberto Marrero tossed the 60th no-no in National Series history. Marrero completed his feat against Artemisa in a 15-0 - 5 innings Mercy Rule game – win at José Ramón Cepero Stadium in Ciego de Ávila. 11/26: Cienfuegos’ second baseman César Prieto set a record of 45-games hitting streak against Holguín. Players of the Weeks I understand I am behind on this list, but I do not want to forget the names of all players that, since November 19th, has been awarded Player of the Week. Here are the four players selected during this period: Week of Nov 21-25: 2B-César Prieto (Cienfuegos) -.385 AVG/.952 OPS/3 2B/6 R/6 RBI plus a new record of 45 games hitting streak Week of Nov 28-Dec 3: 1B-Guillermo Avilés (Granma) - .611 AVG/1.953 OPS/3 HR/13 RBI/8 BB Week of Dec 5-10: RHP-César García (Granma) – 2 W/17 IP/1.59 ERA/10 SO Week of Dec 12-17: 3B-Juan Miguel Soriano (Cienfuegos) - .471 AVG/1.180 OPS/HR/9 RBI Season’s Leaders Batting Batting Average: César Prieto (Cienfuegos) .411 (118 H – 287 AB) Home Runs: Lisbán Correa (Industriales) 25 Runs Batted In: Guillermo Avilés (Granma) 74 Stolen Bases: Magdiel Gómez (Villa Clara) 21 Runs: César Prieto (Cienfuegos) 71 On-Base Percentage: Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spíritus) .556 Pitching Earned Run Average: Lázaro Blanco (Granma) 2.01 (62.2 IP-14 ER) Strikeouts: Frank Madan (Camagüey) 97 Wins: Frank Madan (Camagüey) 12 Saves: Yunior Tur (Santiago de Cuba) 13 Upcoming Series (Dec 22-24) 1 pm (ET) – José R. Cepero Stadium – Camagüey @ Ciego de Ávila 1 pm (ET) – Victoria de Girón Stadium – Villa Clara @ Matanzas 1 pm (ET) – José A. Huelga Stadium – Las Tunas @ Sancti Spíritus 1 pm (ET) – Calixto García Stadium – Guantánamo @ Holguín 1 pm (ET) – Mártires de Barbados Stadium – Santiago de Cuba @ Granma 1 pm (ET) – Cristóbal Labra Stadium – Pinar del Río @ Isla de la Juventud 1 pm (ET) – Nelson Fernández Stadium – Cienfuegos @ Mayabeque Upcoming Series (Dec 26-27) 1 pm (ET) – Capitán San Luis Stadium – Villa Clara @ Pinar del Río 1 pm (ET) – Cristóbal Labra Stadium – Mayabeque @ Isla de la Juventud 1 pm (ET) – Cándido González Stadium – Granma @ Camagüey 1 pm (ET) – 26 de Julio Stadium – Cienfuegos @ Artemisa 1 pm (ET) – José A. Huelga Stadium – Santiago de Cuba @ Sancti Spíritus 1 pm (ET) – José R. Cepero Stadium – Guantánamo @ Ciego de Ávila 1 pm (ET) – Julio A. Mella Stadium – Holguín @ Las Tunas (Photos César Prieto, Frederich Cepeda, and Lisbán Correa/Aslám Castellón, Oscar Alfonso, and Ricardo López Hevia)