Trevor Bauer works out at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu in advance of his return to action in the playoffs with the Diablos Rojos del Mexico. (Photo Courtesy of the Diablos Rojos del Mexico)
The Diablos Rojos del Mexico have announced their starters for the first four games of the Serie del Zona, which will start Thursday at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu against the loser of the series between the Leones de Yucatan and the Guerreros de Oaxaca.
Brooks Hall has been tabbed as the starter for Thursday’s opening game, with Erick Leal pegged for game two. Trevor Bauer, who is returning to the rotation after missing two weeks with gastrointestinal issues, will pitch the first road game of the series, while Jose Luis Bravo will start game four.
After reaching Triple-A in both the Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations, Hall has pitched in five different countries since 2018, while also making cameo appearances in Double-A for the New York Mets and Brewers organizations. He made three starts in the regular season for the Diablos, throwing 13 innings with a 2.08 ERA and three no-decisions.
Leal, from Valencia, Venezuela, had a 2.81 ERA in 80 1/3 innings of work for the Diablos during the regular season, going 8-1 with 95 strikeouts and 24 walks.
Bauer, who won the 2020 National League Cy Young Award with the Los Angeles Dodgers, threw 80 1/3 innings and lead the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol in strikeouts (120), was tied for the league lead in wins (10), and finished second in ERA with a 2.48 mark over 14 starts.
Bravo, who pitched in the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins organizations and rose as high as Triple-A, went 6-1 with a 4.47 ERA for the Diablos, making 11 starts and throwing 52.1 innings.
The next series for the Diablos was pushed back, as a rainout prolonged the series between Oaxaca and Yucatan by a day. Game one of the Serie del Zona will be Thursday at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu, with the first pitch scheduled for 9 p.m. EDT.
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