Yoshinobu Yamamoto limited the New York Yankees to just one hit in 6 1/3 innings, while Freddie Freeman hit a home run for the second consecutive game as Los Angeles secured a 4-2 victory on Saturday, taking a 2-0 lead in the 2024 World Series. Box score The night following Freeman's historic walk-off grand slam that changed a 3-2 deficit into a 6-3 victory with two outs in the 10th inning, Edman gave the Dodgers the lead with a solo home run in the second inning. Teoscar Hernández also hit a home run against starting pitcher Carlos Rodón. Rodón equaled a Yankees World Series record by giving up three home runs. He left the game after pitching 3 1/3 innings and throwing 63 pitches, as he was credited with four earned runs on six hits. He only induced one swing and miss with his fastball. In the third inning, the Yankees tied the game after Yamamoto allowed Juan Soto's fourth postseason home run. This was the sole run given up by Yamamoto in his two starts and 13 1/3 innings pitched against the Yankees this year. Following Soto's homer, Yamamoto proceeded to retire the final 11 batters he faced. In this remarkable performance, he tallied four strikeouts and two walks, effectively controlling the strike zone. Notably, two of the strikeouts were against the highly favored American League MVP candidate, Aaron Judge, who has been struggling in the series. After this performance, he improved his postseason record to 2-0 in four starts. This success came after he signed a lucrative $325 million contract with the Dodgers, a move that involved rejecting an offer from the Yankees. Yamamoto and the bullpen limited New York to just one hit until the ninth inning, when the Yankees narrowed the gap to 4-2 thanks to Giancarlo Stanton's RBI single off Blake Treinen. Anthony Volpe struck out with the bases loaded, and Alex Vesia was called upon to secure his first postseason save by getting pinch-hitter Jose Trevino out on a first-pitch flyout. In bottom of the seventh inning, superstar Shohei Ohtani sustained an injury while sliding into second base during an attempted steal. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI, and his availability for the World Series will be determined on Sunday or Monday. Game 3 will take place at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, with Yankees' RHP Clarke Schmidt and Dodgers' RHP Walker Buehler set to start. Out of 56 teams that have held a 2-0 lead in the World Series, 45 have ultimately won the championship. In best-of-7 series, when teams win the first 2 games at home, they have a success rate of 50 out of 61. In the World Series, this success rate is 32 out of 39. World Series Dodgers lead 2-0 Friday 10/25 - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 1 : LAD 6, NYY 3 (10 INN) Saturday 10/26/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 2: LAD 4, NYY 2 Monday 10/28/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 3 : 8:08 pm (ET) - LAD at NYY Tuesday 10/29/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 4: 8:08 pm (ET) - LAD at NYY Wednesday 10/30/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 5:  8:08 pm (ET) - LAD at NYY (*) Friday 11/01/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 6:  8:08 pm (ET) - NYY at LAD (*) Saturday 11/02/ - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 7:  8:08 pm (ET) - NYY at LAD (*)  (*) If necessary

Cuba secured a 5-1 victory over Panama at the Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City, clinching the bronze medal in the U-12 Pre-World Cup. Daibel Barrero, the right-handed starter, delivered a solid performance, while Cuba's offense scored four crucial runs in the second inning. The tournament will conclude this Saturday with the United States facing the Dominican Republic in the gold medal match. Box score Securing the win is a significant milestone for the Cuban team in this category. They not only secure a place in the 2025 World Cup WBSC but do so after only losing against the top two teams in the tournament, the Dominican Republic and the United States. Additionally, this victory marks their first advancement to a world tournament in this category in five years. The standout performer of the day was unquestionably Cuban pitcher Daibel Barrero, who delivered a solid six-inning performance against the strong Panamanian team, conceding just one run on four hits, two walks, and two strikeouts, throwing a total of 76 pitches. Daibel successfully prevented runners from advancing in every inning except the third, effectively containing the Panamanian offense. Despite Panama only managing to get two players on base with a single and a walk in the first three innings, the situation became more challenging for the Cuban pitcher in the fourth inning. In that inning Panamá loaded the bases with no outs, after consecutive singles by the third and fourth batters, along with an error by the Cuban defense. Despite Panama appearing to be in a position for a comeback while trailing 5-0, Daibel stayed calm. He successfully dealt with line drives from the sixth and third batters, stopping the runners from progressing. Daibel then conceded only one run on a ground ball to third base hit by Andy Ortega, allowing the runner from third to cross the plate. He finished the inning by getting Anthony Rodríguez out, preserving Cuba's 5-1 lead, which was maintained for the rest of the game. Following that moment, only two additional Panamá batters managed to reach base. One drew a walk in the fifth inning, while Pineda singled in the sixth, when Cuba just one out away from clinching the win. The Cubans took an aggressive approach against right-handed starter Diego Daniel Camargo, as doubles from Alan Jonathan López and the impressive offensive newcomer from the island, Alex Batista, helped them secure an early 1-0 lead. In the very next inning, the outcome of the game was determined. Camargo struggled to hold off a strong Cuban offensive, resulting in him conceding five runs – four of which were earned – in a mere 1 1/3 innings. The inning began with a single by Yuceider Torres, followed by an error from the Panamanian second baseman and a walk to Frank L. Cañizares, loading the bases. Alfredo Despaigne Jr. struck out to record the first out, while Alan Jonathan stepped up and delivered a double to the right side, bringing in two runs and forcing the Panamanian starting pitcher out of the game. Facing the new reliever, right-handed pitcher Amell Abid Fernández, Humberto Alfonso delivered a single to right field, bringing Cañizares and López home and extending Cuba's lead to 5-0, a lead they maintained for the rest of the game. During the second game of the day, the Dominican Republic and the United States were in contention for the title when the rain interrupted the game. After three innings, the Dominican Republic was leading 7-4. The eighth edition of the WBSC U-12 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Tainan, Taiwan in 2025. During the World Cup Qualifier event, the teams from the United States, Dominican Republic, and Cuba, along with the host country, qualified as representatives from the continent. The qualification process for the World Cup began with the European U-12 Championship in July. The winners, Germany (world No. 17) and the runners-up, world No. 7 Netherlands, will represent Europe at the World Cup. Eight teams will participate in the XI BFA U-12 Asia Championship from November 23-29 in Matsuyama and Imabari, Japan and the three teams that make it to the podium will also advance to the World Cup. WBSC Africa and WBSC Oceania will qualify one team each and, in addition, the WBSC executive committee will award a wild card for a 12th participant.

The Cuban national team, getting ready for the third edition of the Premier12 world tournament, secured its first win on Friday in South Korea. They defeated the Jiangsu Huge Horses from the Chinese Baseball League (CBL) with a score of 7-2 during their preparatory tour as a guest team in the Ulsan KBO Fall League. On Friday, at the Gijang Hyundai Dream Ballpark, the Cuban team's left-handed pitcher Yoennis Yera started and secured a win by holding the Chinese players scoreless for three innings with 5 strikeouts. Four other Cuban pitchers saw action in the game, specifically Andy Vargas, Yankiel Mauri, Frank Herrera, and Frank A. Álvarez. Cuba managed to score a run in the first inning, but Ye Zijie controlled the game until the fifth inning. At that point, with the score still 1-0, a significant five-run surge completely shifted the momentum in favor of the Cuban team. Jiangsu scored their only two runs in the seventh inning with a two-run home run against reliever Yankiel Mauri. In the bottom of the same inning, Cuba added their final run. Roberto Baldoquín and Rafael Viñales provided crucial offensive backing for the Cuban pitching staff, each delivering three runs to play a decisive role in securing the victory. Oct 25, 2024 R H E JIANGSU 2 3 0 L : Ye Zijie CUBA 7 12 0 W : Yoennis Yera The Cubans suffered a defeat in their debut game against the KBO team, the NC Dinos, losing 13-1 last Wednesday. This Saturday, at 10:00 pm in Cuba and the Eastern US, they will face off against the LG Twins in Ulsan. The match will be available for viewing on the KBO YouTube channel. ( https://www.youtube.com/@KBO1982 ). (Photos: Yuhki Ohboshi)   Cuba's Team Performance against the Jingsu Huge Horses, Oct 25, 2024

In the first of a series of preparatory matches for the Cuban national team ahead of their participation in the Premier12 world tournament, the KBO Dinos secured a resounding 13-1 victory. The Cubans are preparing for the tournament, which will kick off in Group A on November 9 in Guadalajara, Mexico. As part of the 2024 Ulsan-KBO Fall League, the Cubans have been invited to participate in order to help prepare a team aiming to enhance the national team's performance in the Premier12, following disappointing showings in the 2015 and 2019 editions of the tournament. Cuba initiated the game with the subsequent starting lineup: Yoelquis Guibert (CF) Roberto Baldoquín (3B) Erisbel Arruebarrena (SS) Alfredo Despaigne (DH) Guillermo Avilés (1B) Lázaro Armenteros (LF) Yadil Mujica (2B) Andrys Pérez (C) José A. Noroña (RF) Yusniel Padrón (SP) Christian Rodríguez, Luis V. Mateo, Jean Walters and Andy Cosme also saw play as substitutes. In this opening game, neither Cuban starting pitcher Yusniel Padrón nor the bullpen could contain the Dinos' offense. Padrón allowed three runs in two innings with 3 strikeouts and a walk, taking the loss at the end. After Padron's exit, Raymond Figueredo worked in just 1 1/3 innings and allowed 4 earned runs with 4 hits, without strikeouts or walks. Figueredo conceded the fourth run for the Dinos in the third inning and three more in the fourth inning due to a home run by shortstop Kim Se Hoon. Geonel Gutiérrez, a left-handed pitcher, stepped in to help, pitching 1 2/3 innings, striking out three batters but giving up 4 earned runs and 5 hits, including a home run to catcher Shin Yong Seok. The NC Dinos scored again against Leodán Reyes, who pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, one strikeout, and two earned runs. Frank L. Medina was the only Cuban pitcher to work perfectly, completing 1 1/3 with 2 strikeouts. In the game, Dinos' starting pitcher Shin Young Woo only gave up three hits in five innings, recording six of the team's 12 strikeouts against Cuban batters. Cuba managed to score their only run in the eighth inning, as shortstop Christian Rodríguez came home after being hit by a pitch, with Alfredo Despaigne hitting a single and Guille Avilés delivering a sacrifice fly. In the game, Cuba managed to produce just six hits. Despaigne got two hits, including a double, while Erisbel Arruebarruena, Yoelkis Guibert, Lázaro Armenteros (who also hit a double), and Andrys Pérez (who hit a double too) all played a part in the offensive efforts of the Cuban team. During the game, the Cuban manager, Armando Johnson, was giving opportunities to the substitute players and making various changes to the defense as the match progressed. Oct 23, 2024/Gijang Hyundai Dream Park R H E CUBA 1 6 1 L : Yusniel Padrón NC DINOS 13 16 0 W : Shin Young Woo Following the loss, Cuban coach Armando Johnson appeared unconcerned and proceeded to share his thoughts with Jit. The Cubans are scheduled to play two additional warm-up games in the tournament, with the upcoming match set for Friday, October 25 against Jiansu Hughes of the CBA of China. Following this, they will take on the LG Twins on Saturday, October 26, in the sole game being broadcast on the KBO YouTube channel. The Cuban national team has not yet assembled all its players for the Premier12 tournament. They arrived in South Korea on October 18 to set up a training camp, allowing them to acclimate to the time difference. During their stay, they are scheduled to play two confirmed matches against the South Korean national team on November 1 and 2 at the Seoul Gochon Skydome. Additionally, it has been revealed that pitcher Ronald Bolaños will be unable to join the Cuban team for the world tournament due to personal obligations. Therefore, the final roster's replacement is eagerly anticipated. Before the tournament begins in Chinese Taipei, where Group B will be located, Cuba will participate in additional preparatory matches. Additionally, two exhibition matches supported by the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) are scheduled. South Korea and Chinese Taipei are both part of Group B, along with the Cubans, who will start competing in Taipei on November 13th. This group comprises the defending champion Japan, the Dominican Republic, and Australia. Only the top two teams will progress to the Super Round of the tournament, scheduled to take place at the Tokyo Dome in Japan from November 20 to 23. The championship game is set for November 24. Group A, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, will include teams from Venezuela, the United States, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Netherlands, and the host country, Mexico. Cuba's Team Performance against NC Dinos on October 23, 2024

In one of the U-12 Pre-World Cup semifinals held in Panama City, Panama, right-handed pitchers Carlo Alessandro Rivero and Jayden X. Portes limited the Cuban national team to only one hit, leading the United States to a 6-0 victory over Cuba in a shutout. Box score In the second semifinal match, the Dominican Republic triumphed over Panama in extra innings by scoring three runs in the seventh inning, securing a 4-2 victory against the host team. The Dominicans are set to compete against the United States this Saturday at 2:00 pm local time. Both teams are undefeated. Meanwhile, Cuba will contend for the bronze medal against Panama on the same day, commencing at 11:00 am at the Rod Carew Stadium. Right at Rod Carew Stadium, the reigning world champions in the category proved to be too strong for the Cuban team. The Cuban team had a hard time deciphering the pitches thrown by the two American pitchers, particularly the starter Rivero. They only managed to get one hit in the game, which came from Daibel Barrero in the first inning. Following that, pitcher Rivero managed to retire 13 out of the subsequent 15 batters he faced, striking out 9 of them. His impressive streak was briefly halted by two walks, one to Alfredo Despaigne Jr. at the beginning of the third inning and the other to Jeison A. Pérez in the fifth inning with already one out. Rivero delivered an outstanding performance against the Cuban team, throwing a total of 84 pitches, 50 of them being strikes. He concluded his 4 2/3 innings with three walks and 11 strikeouts, securing the victory. Reliever Jayden X. Portes secured the shutout for the North Americans by pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He walked two and recorded two strikeouts. Rivero contributed to his own success at the plate. Facing right-hander Asnel A. Tornés, Joshua D. Pierre kicked off the game with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice, and then Rivero smashed a two-run homer for a 2-0 lead that proved sufficient for the win. During the second inning, Team USA increased their lead with two outs. Christian Steele singled, advanced to second base in a wild pitch, and subsequently crossed the plate on a center field single by Adam Rod González, making it 3-0. The final runs were scored in the third inning when the Cuban starting pitcher was replaced. Joshua Park was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, Rivero advanced him to second with a single to center, and then Jack Mattingly's hit brought Park home as Rivero advanced to third on the throw. Mattingly stole second base, and a sacrifice fly increased the lead to 5-0, with the score reaching 6-0 on a sacrifice hit by Clayton Z. Ratliff. Tornés continued to face two more batters in the inning, issuing walks to both before being substituted by Osvani Palma. Ultimately, the Cuban starting pitcher had a 2 2/3 inning outing, conceding six hits with two walks allowing six earned runs and only one strikeout. He was charged with the loss. Both Palma and Cuba's second reliever, Frank Luis Cañizares, kept the American offense from getting any hits for the remainder of the game. Cuba secured their spot in the World Cup after defeating Venezuela 4-3 in the final Group B qualifying match. With a 4-2 record in the qualifiers, Vladimir Vargas' team will compete for the bronze medal this Saturday.

The WBSC Premier12 tournament will be expanded to include 16 teams starting in 2027, demonstrating the success of the initial two editions of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) main event. The WBSC Executive Board has given the green light to this format adjustment for the upcoming third edition. This will feature the top 12 teams based on the WBSC/KONAMI Men’s Baseball World Ranking by the end of 2023. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Guadalajara and Tepic (MEX), Taipei City (TPE), and Nagoya (JPN) from November 9 to 18, with the Super Round and Finals set to be hosted at the Tokyo Dome from November 21 to 24. Japan, as the current titleholders from the 2019 edition, will defend their championship in 2024. But in 2027, twenty nations will have the chance to compete for victory, with two qualifying events preceding the participation of sixteen teams in a preliminary stage consisting of four groups. In 2025, the top 12 teams in the WBSC/Konami Men's Baseball World Rankings will secure direct qualification for the 2027 Group Stage. Teams placed 13-18, along with two Wild Cards, will participate in the Premier12 Qualifiers to determine the remaining four participants in the Group Stage. Apart from the thrilling new format, the WBSC Premier12 2027 is scheduled just a year ahead of baseball's reintroduction to the Olympic Games sport lineup at Los Angeles 2028. President Riccardo Fraccari of the WBSC praised the expansion as a historic milestone for the organization and evidence of baseball's ongoing development. President Fraccari stated that starting in 2027, more countries will take part in the WBSC Premier12, creating greater global opportunities and expanding the Premier12 brand in the future. Fraccari also said "After the first two editions achieved success, our marketing partners and major stakeholders responded positively to the proposed changes. We are confident that fans will enjoy the increased participation of more teams" , adding, "Leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the upcoming fourth edition is expected to enhance the success of the tournament taking place next month, culminating in an outstanding final in Tokyo."

Cuba is prepared to defend its championship title in the Caribbean Cup as the VI Caribbean Baseball Cup kicks off at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas, on October 23. The tournament will take place until October 28 and will include six participating teams. In a tournament sanctioned by the WBSC, the Cuban team has introduced a notably different lineup from the 2023 edition, focusing on a youthful strategy by fielding a squad filled with up-and-coming talents. Leading the team is the young coach Alexander Urquiola, who hails from Pinar del Río. In an interview with Bohemia magazine before the tournament began, the mentor emphasized the youthfulness of the team, stating that "While there is a noticeable age gap, it is advantageous to cultivate a group of talented individuals for such a competition." He highlighted the importance of young players gaining international competition experience early on , "as they represent the future of the team." Urquiola's experience includes leading the Vegueros de Pinar del Río to second place in the most recent national tournament, National Series 63. Additionally, he guided Cuba to a second-place finish in the U15 category at the 2022 World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, showcasing his success both nationally and internationally. This VI Caribbean Cup will have, in addition to Cuba (No. 9 in the WBSC World Ranking), the teams of Curaçao (No. 29), Dominican Republic (No. 12 and double titleholder of these events), the US Virgin Islands (No. 66), the newcomer St. Maarten (without ranking) and the home team, Bahamas (No. 47). Cuba is set to have its first match against St. Maarten this Wednesday at 11:00 am (local time). Following this, the team will play against the Dominican Republic on Thursday 24, the US Virgin Islands on Friday 25, the Bahamas on Saturday 26, and Curacao on Sunday 27 as per the schedule. Urquiola provided a preview of how the Cuban team would line up for the first game, indicating "Denis Peña is set to play first base and bat cleanup. Jean Lucas Baldoquín and Euclides Pérez were mentioned as potential designated hitters, while Rodolexis Moreno and Adrián Pérez were likely to cover third base and shortstop, respectively. Yulieski Remón was expected to defend second base, with Jorge Rojas as the catcher. The starting outfielders were named as Francisco Martínez, Darián Palma, and Carlos de la Tejera. Elicer Arrechavaleta would be available for both defensive duties and baserunning as needed." Following the completion of the five qualifying round matches, the teams placed third and fourth will battle for the bronze medal, while the top two teams will vie for the championship title. The medal contests are scheduled to take place on Monday, October 28th. The venue for the event is Andre Rodgers Stadium in Nassau, featuring synthetic turf and a capacity for 5,000 spectators. Additionally, all games of the Caribbean Baseball Cup will be streamed live on the R1LIVE pay-per-view platform. Apart from winning the title in the previous tournament, the Cubans secured second place in the 2022 edition, losing 9-4 to Puerto Rico in the final. In their debut the year before, Cuba also came in second, losing 4-3 to Curacao in the championship match. The 2025 tournament has been declared as a qualifying competition for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, similar to how the 2022 IV edition served as a qualifier for the 2023 Central American Games. CHAMPIONS OF THE CARIBBEAN CUPS I CC 2018 - Dominican Republic II CC 2019 - Dominican Republic III CC 2021 - Curacao IV CC 2022 - Puerto Rico V CC 2023 - Cuba TEAM CUBA TO THE VI CARIBBEAN CUP Pitchers (9) : José Ignacio Bermúdez, Osdany Rodríguez, Rafael Orlando Perdomo, Enyer Fernández, Eliander Bravo, Albert Valladares, Sammy Benítez, Yosiel Serrano, and Randy Martínez. Catchers (2) : Yaidel Darío Guerra, and Jorge Rojas. Infielders (7) : Denis Peña, Adrián Jesús Pérez, Leonardo Alarcón, Jean Lucas Baldoquín, Yulieski Remón, Euclides Pérez, and Rodolexis Moreno. Outfielders (4) : Elicer Arrechavaleta, Carlos de la Tejera, Darián Palma, and Francisco Martínez. Coaching Staff : Manager : Alexander Urquiola Trainers : Eddy Cajigal, Julio César Álvarez, and Donald Duarte Pitching Coaches : José Ramón Riscart, and Rogelio García (invited) Other representatives : Yosvany Aragón (FCBS), and Alfredo Negret (Doctor)

Cuba achieved the first shutout victory of the ongoing U-12 Pre-World Cup in Panama City by beating Argentina 15-0 in a no-hitter game in 4 innings on Tuesday morning at Andy Alonso Stadium. This marked the third game for the Cuban team in the tournament, and the second game where they managed to finish the full match. It was the tournament's first no-hitter. Box score | Video 12 runs scored in the top of the first inning proved to be sufficient for Cuba's victory, supported by the efforts of four pitchers - Rydel F. Pérez, the winner Frank Luis Cañizares, Jeison A. Pérez, and Alan J. López. The South American team went hitless against the strong performance of the Cuban team, during the second game of both teams in the qualifying tournament for the 2025 World Cup in their category. In the four innings of the game, the Cuban pitchers recorded five strikeouts and issued six walks. Cuba's offense, supported by 10 hits and taking advantage of six errors by the Argentine defense, secured the final score. In a game that saw Cuba score an impressive 12 runs in the first inning, shortstop Humberto R. Alfonso, first baseman Oliver Monteagudo, and left fielder Diego L. Girón each contributed by driving in two runs. The team added two more runs in the second inning and one in the fourth to secure a victory by the Mercy Rule. Argentina's right-handed pitcher Thomas Bautista suffered the loss, after pitching only 1/3 of an inning and allowing seven earned runs. Bautista was ineffective, giving up two hits, two walks, hitting two batters, and throwing two wild pitches during his brief appearance. Furthermore, he received poor defensive support, as his defense committed six errors in the game. Dante Cassis and Asael R. Chávez also pitched for the Argentine team. This was Argentina's second loss in two games. The win brought the Cubans to a 1-1 record in Group B of the tournament. This Wednesday, they have a doubleheader scheduled - first against Brazil at 9:30 am (Havana and Eastern US time), followed by a match against Puerto Rico at 11:30 am. The latter game is a continuation of the one suspended last Sunday, with Cuba leading 2-0 when rain interrupted play after their first inning at-bat. In Group B, three teams have maintained a perfect record so far: the Dominican Republic (2-0), Puerto Rico (1-0), and Venezuela (1-0), establishing themselves as the dominant forces in the region. In order to secure one of the two spots for the medal round of the tournament, Cuba must defeat both Puerto Rico and Venezuela to enhance their prospects of progressing and competing for a place in the World Cup. During the first match of the day in Group A, Nicaragua ended Colombia's unbeaten streak by defeating them 5-2, securing their first win of the tournament. Colombia's record now stands at 1-1. In the upcoming games today, Mexico and the United States will compete in Group A, along with Panama playing a doubleheader against Colombia and Ecuador. In Group B, Puerto Rico will face Brazil, Argentina will play against Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic will also take on Venezuela. The teams taking part in a doubleheader are doing so to compensate for the games that were postponed because of rain on the first day of the tournament last Sunday.

In the initial game of the tournament of the Americas, the Cuban U-12 National Team suffered a 6-1 defeat against the Dominican Republic at the Andy Alonso Municipal Stadium in Panama City on Monday afternoon. This match marked the Cubans' first official appearance in the qualifying rounds for the WBSC 2025 Baseball World Cup. Box score | Video Thus, the Cuban team suffers its initial loss, holding a 0-1 record in Group B's group stage, alongside Brazil (0-2) and Argentina (0-1), who are also seeking their first win in the competition. The Cubans kicked off their tournament journey this Sunday, but their game against Puerto Rico was halted due to rain with Cuba leading 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning. In the game against the Dominican Republic, right-handed pitcher Alejandro Segura took the mound for the Cuban team. He pitched three innings, giving up three hits, allowing one run, striking out 3 batters, and refraining from issuing any walks prior to calling on the bullpen. Nevertheless, even though reliever Asnel Tornés managed a scoreless fourth inning, he was unable to maintain his momentum. Alongside Osvani Palma, he faced consequences in the fifth inning when the Dominicans took control of the game. This decisive inning saw the Dominicans scoring five runs, highlighted by a three-run homer from Brandon Báez, resulting in a final score of 6-1. In the meantime, the Cubans struggled offensively against the right-handed starter Carlos Marrero and his right-handed reliever, Milfree E. Figueroa, who held the team hitless until the final inning, the 6th. The tournament is limited to six innings, and it was only in the last inning that the Cubans were able to secure their only two singles of the game. The Dominicans took the lead in the second inning when Báez hit a double, establishing himself as the standout hitter of the game. This hit brought in Ángel D. Gracia, who had kicked off the inning with a single. Cuba promptly responded by equalizing the score in the third inning without getting a hit, capitalizing on an error, two walks, and a balk. This proved to be the sole offensive output for the Cubans, with Oliver Monteagudo and Diego L. Girón being the only ones to record hits in the match. During Cuba's final offensive inning, in the 6th inning, with two runners on base, right-hander Figueroa took control to secure the Dominican victory. He struck out the final two batters, totaling seven strikeouts in a mere three innings, ultimately clinching the win. On the other hand, Asnel Tornés of Cuba suffered the loss, conceding a solitary run in one inning. The victory over Cuba marked the Dominican Republic's second win in the tournament, following a 10-0 triumph against Brazil on Sunday, in a game that concluded after only five innings. The Cuban team's upcoming game is scheduled for this Tuesday at 10:30 am (Cuba and Eastern US time). They will be playing against the struggling Argentina team at the Andy Alonso stadium. Today, Puerto Rico won against Argentina with a score of 10-0, Colombia triumphed over Ecuador 8-0, Venezuela defeated Brazil 3-0, and the United States emerged victorious over Nicaragua 9-1. Mexico will go up against the host nation, Panama, in the last match on Monday.

After a six-game victory over the New York Mets in the National League Championship series, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a spot in the World Series. Box score The Dodgers sealed their advancement by winning Game 6, 10-5. This marks Los Angeles' fourth appearance in the World Series since 2017 and their first since 2020, when they clinched the title against the Tampa Bay Rays in six games. They were defeated by the Houston Astros in 2017 and by the Boston Red Sox in the October Classic of 2018. Los Angeles displayed dominance in both pitching and hitting during their first three victories in the NLCS. The Dodgers triumphed in Games 1, 3, and 4 with a total score of 27-2. After trailing 1-0 in the first inning, they scored six runs, with four of them being driven in by Tommy Edman, and two by Will Smith. They both hit two-run homers in the third inning. In game, Shohei Ohtani, the talented player, showcased his skills by contributing with a RBI single in the sixth inning. During the eighth inning, a run was secured by Teoscar Hernández's sacrifice fly, while Mookie Betts' double brought in another run. The game was ultimately sealed by Enrique Hernández's RBI single. Following Game 6, Tommy Edman was honored with the NLCS MVP title. He had an impressive performance in Game 6, driving in four runs. He scored two runs with a double in the first inning and added two more with a home run in the third inning. Throughout the NLCS Edman went 11-for-27, slashing .407/.393/.630 with three doubles and eleven RBIs. He equaled a Dodgers record for any postseason series by tallying 11 RBI, which equals the achievements of Maury Wills and Ron Fairly in the 1965 World Series, as well as Bill Russell in the 1978 World Series. Edman's hitting streak persisted in Game 6, where he went 2-for-5, maintaining a perfect record of hitting safely in all six games of the series. He became the ninth Dodger to win an NLCS MVP award, following Corey Seager (2020), Cody Bellinger (2018), Justin Turner/Chris Taylor (co-MVPs in 2017), Orel Hershiser (1988), Burt Hooton (1981), Steve Garvey (1978), and Dusty Baker (1977). The Dodgers displayed an impressive offensive performance overall. According to MLB's Sarah Langs, the 46 runs scored by the Dodgers against the Mets are the fourth highest total in a single playoff series in history. Shohei Ohtani, aged 30, is set to make his debut in the World Series, marking a significant milestone in his career. This season, he achieved a historic feat by becoming the first player to accomplish 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases. Despite winning two American League MVP titles during his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels from 2018 to 2023, Ohtani had not played for a team with a winning record until he joined the Dodgers. National League Championship Series Dodgers won the series 4-2 Sunday 10/13 - Game 1 : LAD 9, NYM 0 Monday 10/14/- Game 2: NYM 7, LAD 3 Wednesday 10/16/- Game 3 : LAD 8, NYM 0 Thursday 10/17/- Game 4: LAD 10,   NYM 2 Friday 10/18/- Game 5:  NYM 12, LAD 6 Sunday 10/20/- Game 6:  NYM 5, LAD 10 The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in the World Series for the 12th time, a MLB record. The teams competed in the World Series in the following years: 1941 (Yankees won 4-1), 1947 (Yankees 4-3), 1949 (Yankees 4-1), 1952 (Yankees 4-3), 1953 (Yankees 4-2), 1955 ( Dodgers  4-3), and 1956 (Yankees 4-3) while the Dodgers were still based in Brooklyn. After relocating to Los Angeles, they met in the World Series in 1963 ( Dodgers  4-0), 1977 (Yankees 4-2), 1978 (Yankees 4-2), and 1981 ( Dodgers  4-2). In general, the Yankees have the upper hand over the Dodgers, emerging victorious in 8 out of the 11 postseason series they have contested, all of which took place in the World Series. 2024 World Series Schedule Friday 10/25 - 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 1 : NYY at LAD Saturday 10/26/- 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 2: NYY at LAD Monday 10/28/- 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 3 : LAD at NYY Tuesday 10/29/- 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 4: LAD at NYY Wednesday 10/30/- 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 5: LAD at NYY (*) Friday 11/01/- 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 6:  NYY at LAD (*) Saturday 11/02/- 8:08 pm (ET) - Game 7:  NYY at LAD (*)  (*) If necessary ET - Cuba and Eastern US Time

The opening day of the 2024 U12 Pan American Games was partially interrupted by rain in Panama City on Sunday. Box score In the morning, only two games took place. The Dominican Republic defeated Brazil 10-0 in 5 innings in Group B, while Mexico secured a 3-1 victory over Nicaragua in Group A. The remaining matches, like Puerto Rico-Cuba, where the Cubans led 2-0 by the end of their first inning, were halted, along with the Ecuador-USA, Argentina-Venezuela, and Colombia-Panama games. A review of these matches and the overall schedule will take place on Monday, with a possibility of rescheduling the games for a later date if needed. Despite any future alterations, the Cuban team is scheduled to face the Dominican Republic team this Monday, following the latter's decisive victory over Brazil today, Sunday. Should there be no alterations, Cuba will adhere to the predetermined schedule for their matches in the Group B qualifying stage of the tournament. Sunday 10/20/ - Game 1: 11:30 am (*) - PUR vs. CUB (CANCELED DUE TO RAIN) Monday 10/21/ - Game 2: 5:00 pm (*) - CUB vs. DOM Tuesday 10/22/ - Game 3: 10:30 am (*) - CUB vs. ARG Wednesday 10/23/ - Game 4: 1:30 pm (*) - BRA vs. CUB Thursday 10/24/ - Game 5: 1:30 pm (*) - VEN vs. CUB (*) Cuba and Eastern US time The World Cup Qualifier, also known as the Pan-American tournament, consists of two groups, each comprising six teams. Group A consists of the host country, Panama, as well as the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. Group B includes the national teams of Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina and Cuba. With Panama securing its spot as the host country for the 2025 World Cup qualifier, the remaining eleven teams will compete for one of the three coveted spots in the prestigious tournament. Should Panama make it to the semi-finals, all teams will advance, with the top two from each group progressing to the next round. In the event that Panama does not reach the semi-finals, the teams finishing in the top three positions will secure their spots in the World Cup. The United States currently holds the world champion title in the category, having won in the 2023 edition in Chinese Taipei by defeating the local team 10-4 in the final. Prior to this victory, the Americans also emerged victorious in the 2021 World Cup tournament. In contrast, Cuba did not participate in the last two editions after securing a bronze medal in 2019 by defeating South Korea 2-1. CUBA U12 ROSTER TO THE 2024 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Pitchers (5): Rider Pérez (HAB), Alesandro Martínez (HOL), Asnel Tornés (SCU), Fabián Salcedo (GRA), and Osmany Palma (GRA). Catchers (2): Yuceidel Torres (MAY), and José Martínez (GRA). Infielders (7): Alfredo Despaigne Jr. (GRA), Alesandro Soto (SCU), Oliver Monteagudo (SSP), Daibel Barrero (CAV), Humberto Alfonso (HAB), Yeison Pérez (GRA), and Alan López (HAB). Outfielders (4): Alex Bryan (GTM), Diego Girón (HAB), Frank Cañizares (SSP), and Dainier Madruga (HAB). Manager: Vladimir Vargas.

In the 10th inning, Juan Soto's 3-run homer gave the Yankees the lead and secured their spot in the 2024 World Series. With the game tied at 2-2, Soto's blast off Hunter Gaddis energized the Yankees dugout, putting them just three outs away from clinching the pennant. The Yankees went on to win 5-2, eliminating the Guardians in Game 5. They now await the outcome of the NLCS matchup between the Mets and the Dodgers. Box score The Yankees are back on baseball's grandest stage after an absence since their 2009 World Series victory. The 15-year gap matches the franchise's longest period between pennants. Timely hitting from the top of its lineup, especially from designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, along with an almost flawless bullpen propelled the 2024 Yankees to the Fall Classic. The Yankees were behind 0-2 against the Guardians until Stanton smashed a two-run homer in the sixth inning, leveling the score and leading the game into extra innings. After the game Stanton was named the 2024 AL Championship Series MVP. Stanton hit only .222 (4-for-18) in the ALCS but all four hits were home runs, and they were important home runs that helped decide games. He drove in seven runs and had 16 total bases in the five games. He became the ninth Yankee to win ALCS MVP honors and the first since CC Sabathia in 2009. Other Yankees to win ALCS MVP include Graig Nettles (1981), Bernie Williams (1996), David Wells (1998), Orlando Hernández (1999), David Justice (2000), Andy Pettitte (2001), and Mariano Rivera (2003). The Yankees are making their 41st appearance in the World Series. Although they haven't been in the Fall Classic for the past 15 years, they have consistently made it to the playoffs almost every season, reaching five championship series in 2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, and 2022. Their last three defeats in the championship series came against the Houston Astros, who have been the most formidable team in the American League for close to ten years. The 2024 World Series is set to commence on Friday, October 25 and is expected to conclude by November 2 in case all seven games are played. American League Championship Series Yankees won the series 4-1 Monday 10/14/- Game 1:  NYY 5, CLE 2 Tuesday 10/15/- Game 2:  NYY 6, CLE 3 Thursday 10/17/- Game 3:  CLE 7, NYY 5 (10 INN) Friday 10/18/- Game 4:  NYY 8, CLE 6 Saturday 10/19/- Game 5: NYY 5, CLE 2 (10 INN)