The Leones del Escogido, winners of the 2012-2013 Dominican Winter Professional Baseball League can very well be the favorites to win the Caribbean Series that opens today, Friday 1 February in Hermosillo, Mexico. The Leones go against the Navegantes del Magallanes of Venezuela, at 6pm in the first game of the series. Diario Libre reports that going into the game, the Dominican team has the advantage of having won the local playoffs in a grand slam and thus the roster has had several rest days. The Venezuelan players played their series to the end.
Diario Libre reports that the roster of the Dominican team to the Caribbean Series is: catchers Francisco Pena (Aguilas), Alberto Rosario (Estrellas) and Yefry Castillo (Escogido), infielders Jose Ramirez (Toros), Luis Jimenez (Estrellas), Tatis (Escogido), Hanley Ramirez (Licey), Miguel Tejada (AC), Julio Lugo (Escogido) and Donell Linares (Licey). Fielders Ricardo Nanita (Toros), Jordany Valdespin (Licey), Jose Constanza (Toros) and Abraham Almonte (Escogido). Pirchers are Lorenzo Barcelo (Aguilas, Angel Castro (Aguilas), Willy Lebron (Licey), Edward Valdez (Escogido), Dustin Richardson (Aguilas), Carlos Pimentel (Escogido), Alfredo Figaro (Licey), Fernando Rodney (Escogido), Johnny Nunez (Gigantes), Jailen Peguero (Estrellas), Armando Rodriguez (Escogido), Nelson Payano (Escogido), Ramon Garcia (Escogido) and TJ Pena (Aguilas).