By Julian Guilarte
World Baseball Network
The Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana began its 74th season on October 11. LIDOM is made up of six teams: the Águilas Cibaeñas, Estrellas Orientales, Gigantes del Cibao, Leones del Escogido,Tigres del Licey and Toros del Este.
The Tigres del Licey have won the most LIDOM championships with 23 and are the defending champions after beating Estrellas Orientales in the final LIDOM series last season. The winner of LIDOM also gets to play in the Caribbean Series. Tigres del Licey won the 2023 Caribbean Series in Caracas Venezuela, and beat Leones del Caracas in the championship 3-0.
Reyes Productive for Leones – Outfielder and designated hitter Franmil Reyes has been a standout performer for Leones del Escogido, leading LIDOM with four home runs and 14 RBI. This is Reyes’ fifth winter playing for Leones del Escogido, and he has an OPS of .982. Reyes, 28, is currently an MLB free agent and has played six MLB seasons. In 2023, he played 19 games for the Kansas City Royals and hit two of his 108 career MLB home runs. His best season was with the Cleveland Guardians in 2021, when he hit 30 home runs, 85 RBI, and had an OPS of .846.
Starlin Is Still Darlin’ – Infielder Starlin Castro is having a strong season with Aguilas Cibaenas with one home run, 12 RBI and an OPS of .950. Castro, 33, played 12 seasons in MLB from 2010-21 and was a four time all-star. He last played in MLB for the Washington Nationals in 2021. He has 138 MLB home runs with an OPS of .732. He hit over 20 home runs twice, in 2016 with the New York Yankees and 2019 with the Miami Marlins.
Miranda Flying High With Aguilas – Aguilas Cibaenas starting pitcher Ariel Miranda leads LIDOM with 19 strikeouts. He’s pitched 17.2 innings with an ERA of 3.06. Miranda, 34, is a left-handed Cuban Pitcher who signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an international free agent in 2015. He pitched three seasons in MLB with the Orioles and Seattle Mariners. He pitches 223 innings with 186 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.72.
Guduan a Giant In Relief For Cibao – Gigantes del Cibao reliever Reymin Guduan leads LIDOM with five saves. Guduan, 31, is left-handed and has pitched 8.2 innings with eight strikeouts and an ERA of 2.08, this winter. This is Guduan’s ninth winter with Gigantes del Cibao Guduan signed with the Houston Astros as an International free agent in 2010. Guduan pitched four MLB seasons, and last pitched with the Oakland Athletics in 2021. He pitched 39 MLB innings with 31 strikeouts and an ERA of 7.38.
Titanes del Caribe Starts Tonight – The Tigres del Licey and Aguilas Cibaenas will play in the Titanes del Caribe Series at Citi Field in Queens, New York, this weekend. The first game begins at 7 p.m EST on November 10. The next two games will take place on November 11 and 12 at 1 p.m EST. This will be a unique opportunity for LIDOM to show off its product to American fans.
Cesar Valdez will start game one for the Tigres del Licey. Valdez, 38, is right-handed and has pitched 21 innings with nine strikeouts and an ERA of 4.29 this winter. Ronnie Williams will start game one for Aguilas Cibaenas. Williams, 27, is right-handed and has pitched 10 innings with three strikeouts and an ERA of 6.60.
Toros del Este and Gigantes del Cibao will play on November 10 at 7:00 p.m EST at Estadio J. Javer in San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Estrellas Orientales and Leones del Escogido will play on November 10 at 7:15 p.m EST at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Current LIDOM Standings
1. Gigantes del Cibao – 12-5
2. Tigres del Licey – 10-8
3. Toros del Este – 9-8
T-4. Estrellas Orientales – 8-9
T-4. Leones del Escogido – 8-9
6. Aguilas Cibaenas – 5-13
