Postseason 2017: Victor´s time?

There is one question hanging in the air when the postseason kicks off this Wednesday.

Could Victor Mesa break his curse in postseasons and win the championship after a record-breaking tournament with 70 wins?

Mesa has led the qualifying stage in five out of six seasons managing the Crocodiles. He has made it to the finals twice and lost to Villa Clara and Pinar del Rio.

Mesa had a winning record of (42-3) with the feeble and poor 16-team format. Matanzas won 28 more games in the second round and thus, they set a new record after breaking the one achieved by Industriales in 2003.

But as it has happened in the past, the postseason is something totally different and favorite teams sometimes change. Victor —since his early managerial days in Villa Clara (2000-2001) — has won lots of games in regular seasons, but in clutch moments he has lost championships.

Granma Sorrels (50-40) are Crocodiles’ rivals and they won’t be easy at all. The team of Carlos Marti got stronger since the beginning. Catcher Frank Camilo organized a pitching staff led by ace Lazaro Blanco and closer Miguel Lahera. Granma looks even stronger now with the addition of infielders Manduley and Paumier. RHP Entenza made a come-back this season and he will be slot in the second spot as starter.

On the contrary, Matanzas did not pick well in the last series of reinforcements. Neither LHP Livan Moinelo nor Frank Luis Medida (ERA 6.23) is having a good season. The third reinforcement was unpredictable RHP Danny Betancourt. Here Havana’s SS Yolbert Sanchez was essential to secure the infield. This element will be paramount.

KEYS:

-      OF Alfredo Despaigne will be the life and soul of the Eastern Sorrels. There are no hitters like him in Cuba and there are no hurlers able to make easy outs off him.

-      Matanzas is one thing in the regular season and other different in playoffs, which means start over again.

-      Pay attention to additional pressure VM32 put on his players. In 13 postseasons, he has not won a single title. This will be his 14^th, so who knows?

Prediction: 4-3 Granma

Ciego vs. Villa Clara

The Ciego de Avila Tigers (56-34) and Villa Clara Orange (52-38) will clash in the semifinals. It is no secret Ciego has played amazingly in recent postseasons. Three titles in five seasons prove it.

The addition of a leadoff hitter such as Julio Pablo Martinez balances Ciego’s lineup. This man can run, put the ball in play, and has situational power. Martinez is an above-average defender in the center field. Casanova may alternate bullpen and spot starts. Dainier Galvez solidifies the infield due to his experience and offensive stats.

I believe Villa Clara had a wonderful season, but it has some handicaps in the catching department and the outfield. Cepeda’s play is a question mark and if he is healthy, many things can change. The player to follow now is short stop Alexander Ayala. He is in charge of solving the biggest handicap of the Orange.

Prediction: 4-2 Ciego de Avila

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Diaz / Cubasi Translation Staff