Lions Look to Cueto and Agrazal for Crucial LIDOM Stretch
the Leones del Esgido are in a tight race for a spot in the 2024-25 LIDOM Round Robin, and manager Albert Pujols is confident in his pitching rotation to lead the charge. Johnny Cueto will take the mound this Friday against the Tigres del Licey at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium, kicking off a crucial three-game stretch for the Lions.
Following Cueto, panamanian right-hander Darío Agrazal is slated to face the gigantes del Cibao at the “Coloso del Ensanche La Fe.” Both teams enter Friday’s matchup with identical 22-25 records, making this series a pivotal battle for playoff positioning.
Pujols expressed his faith in his starting pitchers, emphasizing their ability to control the running game and support the catchers. “Our focus as a team is to be fully prepared for Friday’s game and approach each game, each pitch, each inning with a winning mentality,” Pujols stated.
Cueto has been in impressive form recently,allowing only one earned run over nine innings in his last two appearances. He’s also demonstrated strong command, walking only one batter while striking out six. Agrazal has also been solid in his last two outings, surrendering four earned runs over eight innings.
Pujols acknowledged the Lions’ recent betterment, especially praising the bullpen’s performance. He highlighted the contributions of relievers Phillips Valdez and Jimmy Cordero, who combined for six scoreless innings in a crucial game on December 22nd.
“Our bullpen is exceptional, with a variety of arms stepping up and contributing,” pujols explained. “Having a reliable bullpen is absolutely essential for our success.”
The Lions face a busy schedule with three consecutive games against the tigres del Licey. The first game, originally postponed from December 18th, will be played on Friday, December 27th at 7:15 p.m. The second game, rescheduled from December 21st, will take place on Saturday, December 28th at 4:00 p.m. A third game, if necessary, is scheduled for December 30th at 7:15 p.m. and would be a makeup for the postponed December 23rd matchup.
Inside the LIDOM Pennant Race: A Chat with Carlos Peña
The Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM) is heating up, with the Leones del Esgido battling for a coveted spot in the Round Robin. Joining me today too discuss the Lions’ playoff push is none other than Carlos Peña, former MLB All-star and current baseball analyst. Welcome, Carlos!
Carlos Peña: Thanks for having me. It’s always great to talk baseball, especially LIDOM during this exciting time of year.
Moderator: Let’s dive right in. The Lions are relying heavily on their pitching, with johnny Cueto and Darío Agrazal taking the mound in their crucial three-game stretch against the Tigres del Licey.
How do you see these matchups playing out?
Carlos Peña: Both Cueto and Agrazal have been pitching well recently. Cueto, with his vast experience, brings a real veteran presence, and Agrazal is a solid young arm. This Licey team is no pushover, though. They’ve got a potent lineup, so these games could be real slugfests. The key for the Lions will be limiting the big innings and getting their bullpen going early if they fall behind.
Moderator: Manager Albert Pujols has expressed confidence in his bullpen,especially citing the performance of relievers Phillips Valdez and jimmy Cordero. Do you think their bullpen can hold up under the pressure of a tight playoff race?
Carlos Peña: Pujols is right to highlight those two. Valdez and Cordero have shown they can be dependable late-inning options. But LIDOM playoff baseball can be a grind, and you need more than just two arms to rely on. if the
starters can’t go deep into games, depth will become a major factor.
Moderator: The Lions face a jam-packed schedule with three consecutive games against the Tigres del licey, including two makeups from earlier postponements. After a tough season, do you think this compressed schedule will benefit or hurt the Lions?
Carlos Peña: That’s a really good question. A tight schedule can definitely wear down a team, both physically and mentally. But it can also create a sense of urgency and focus. This Licey series is pivotal,and these makeup games add another layer of importance.
It will all come down to managing workloads,staying fresh,and keeping everyone mentally engaged.
Moderator:
I
totally agree. There’s no room for error in these games. Watching Cueto and Agrazal face off against the Tigres del Licey batters should be a thrill for LIDOM fans. What are your predictions for the series?
Carlos Peña: I see it going down to the wire. Both teams are hungry, and it’s going to be a close battle. I’m giving the edge to the lions because of their pitching experience, but Licey has the firepower to steal the series.
Moderator:
Those are some excellent insights, Carlos.Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us.
Carlos peña:
My pleasure! It’s always a treat to talk LIDOM baseball.
Moderator:
To our readers, let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Do you agree with Carlos’ analysis? Who do you think will come out on top in the Lions-Tigres series?
