The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) 93-game regular season draws to a close today, and while the top spot in each division has been determined, there is plenty on the line on the season’s final night.
Each of the following games will have an impact on the LMB playoffs, which begin Sunday night with game one in each of the three first round playoff series in the Zona Sur.
8:30 p.m. EDT – Sultanes de Monterrey (54-37, First Place) at Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (51-41, Fourth Place) – The Tecos have won six straight, and a win combined with a loss by the Acereros de Monclova would give the Tecos the third seed in the playoffs, which would give them home field advantage in the first round against the Acereros. The Sultanes have clinched the first seed in the Zona Norte and will face the Charros de Jalisco in the first round. Former New York Yankee Luis Cessa will start for Monterrey against Nate Antone for Dos Laredos.
8:30 p.m. EDT – Leones de Yucatan (41-50, Tied for Sixth Place) at Tigres de Quintana Roo (35-57, 10th Place) – The Leones are in a must-win situation tonight against the last-place Tigres. With a win combined with a loss by either the Bravos de Leon or the Olmecas de Tabasco, Yucatan makes the playoffs. If they lose, they need both Leon and Tabasco to lose to get into the playoffs. The Leones will need to, in the words of Al Davis, “¡Simplemente gana, bebé!” Jose Albertos will start for Quintana Roo. Yucatan has not named a starter.
9 p.m. EDT – Pericos de Puebla (44-46, Fourth Place) at Guerreros de Oaxaca (52-39, Second Place) – A win by Puebla would give the Pericos the fourth seed in the Zona Sur. A loss, combined with a Veracruz win, would give the Pericos the fifth seed. Luis Miranda will start for Oaxaca.
9 p.m. EDT – Olmecas de Tabasco (41-50, Tied for Sixth Place) at El Aguila de Veracruz (44-47, Fifth Place) – Tied with the Leones de Yucatan, the Olmecas de Tabasco are in the same situation. If they win and either Yucatan or Leon lose, they’re in the playoffs. Veteran Cuban starter Yoennis Yera will pitch for Tabasco against Connor Curlis for Veracruz. This game will be streamed live on YouTube via Claro Sports without a fee.
9:30 p.m. EDT – Diablos Rojos del Mexico (62-25, First Place) at Bravos de Leon (40-50, Seventh Place) – The Bravos are also in a must-win situation on the season’s final night, but even if they win, they still need help from either Veracruz or Quintana Roo. If the Bravos win and El Aguila or the Tigres win, the Bravos are in the playoffs. If the Bravos win and Tabasco and Yucatan win, or if the Bravos lose, their season ends tonight. Felipe Gonzalez will start for Leon, while manager Lorenzo Bundy hasn’t announced the Diablos’ starting pitcher.
9:45 p.m. EDT – Rieleros de Aguascalientes (37-52, 10th Place) at Acereros de Monclova (50-39, Third Place) – A win by the Acereros would give them third place in the Zona Norte and home field advantage in the first round, where they will face the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos. Tucker Smith will start for Aguascalientes against Jackson Goddard for Monclova.
Where to Watch – All LMB games are streamed on LMB.tv for a fee. Tonight’s game between Tabasco and Yucatan will be streamed live on YouTube via Claro Sports without a fee.
First Round Playoff Matchups
Zona Norte
No. 1 Sultanes de Monterrey vs. No. 6 Charros de Jalisco
No. 2 Toros de Tijuana vs. No. 5 Algodoneros de Union Laguna
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos vs. Acereros de Monclova – seeds and home field advantage dependent on tonight’s games.
Zona Sur
No. 1 Diablos Rojos del Mexico vs. Bravos de Leon/Leones de Yucatan/Olmecas de Tabasco
No. 2 Guerreros de Oaxaca vs. El Aguila de Veracruz/Pericos de Puebla
No. 3 Piratas de Campeche vs. El Aguila de Veracruz/Pericos de Puebla
First Round Playoff Schedule
August 9
Zona Sur – Game 1
August 10
Zona Sur – Game 2
Zona Norte – Game 1
August 11
Zona Norte – Game 2
August 12
Zona Sur – Game 3
August 13
Zona Norte – Game 3
Zona Sur – Game 4
August 14
Zona Norte – Game 4
Zona Sur – Game 5 (If Necessary)
August 15
Zona Norte – Game 5 (If Necessary)
August 16
Zona Sur – Game 6 (If Necessary)
August 17
Zona Norte – Game 6 (If Necessary)
Zona Sur – Game 7 (If Necessary)
August 18
Zona Norte – Game 7 (If Necessary)
WBN LMB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mexico/liga-mexicana-de-beisbol/
Photo: The Diablos Rojos del Mexico celebrate with the Copa Zaachila, the LMB championship trophy, after defeating the Sultanes de Monterrey four games to none in the 2024 Serie del Rey. (Photo courtesy Diablos Rojos del Mexico)
