The Caribbean Series is set to begin on the Venezuelan island of Margarita on February 2nd. It continues until February 8^th. The four champions of the winter ball leagues in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela will meet today (Tuesday). MLB Network will be airing the series, beginning at 2:30 pm (EST). Puerto Rico (Mayaguez) squares off against the Dominican Republic (Escogido) followed by the opening ceremony. The night game pits the host country Venezuela (Caracas) against Mexico (Hermosillo). The series is in a round-robin format and the game to watch will be on February 4^th as Venezuela and the Dominican Republic will meet.

As the host country, Caracas will have the pressure of its fans at every game, along with being the reigning champion. Last year, Venezuela rolled through the series in Mexicali, Mexico with a 5-1 record. Offense hasn’t been a problem for Caracas as Carlos Maldonado (.333 average and 17 RBIs) and Josh Kroeger have led the way. Caracas has hit 19 homeruns in the playoffs and scored 211 runs in 23 games. Gustavo Chacin (3-2 with a 3.43 ERA and 25 strikeouts) leads the Caracas pitching staff and the bullpen (like Orber Moreno) has done a good job.

The Dominican Republic has won the Caribbean Series 17 times and 11 times since 1990. They hope to have ace Francisco Liriano for the series and he has pitched well throughout the Dominican’s winter league playoffs. Liriano is 3-1 with a 0.49 ERA. Pitching has been key for Escogido as that has been what has carried them to the Caribbean Series (a 2.61 ERA in 27 playoff games). Heath Phillips (3-0 with a 3.86 ERA) and Nelson Figueroa (1-1 with a 1.37 ERA) have pitched well. Wladimir Balentien (.348 average) and Kevin Barker (.337 average) have led the way offensively.

Mayaguez is well rested because their series only took five games to complete while the other leagues’ finals went seven (or nine) games. Offensively, Mayaguez may have the best team. Angel Sanchez (.452 average with 24 RBIs), Jesus Feliciano (.340 average), and Randy Ruiz (.289 average with 22 RBIs) have all been hot at the plate. Starter Bobby Cramer (0.79 ERA in 2 starts) and reliever Pete Parise (0.93 ERA in 6 games) have been some of the better pitchers in the league.

As for Mexico, their series just ended on Saturday. Hermosillo advanced on the heroics of outfielder Chris Roberson. Former big league All-Star Vinny Castilla (.270 average with 13 RBIs) has been hitting well, along with Roberson and veteran Geronimo Gil (.313 average). Travis Blackley (3-0 with a 2.01 ERA) and Juan Delgadillo (3-0 with a 2.49 ERA) have led the pitching staff.

The Caribbean Series should be exciting with national pride showing strong throughout. The crowds will be electric and packed, if any of the championship games attendances showed (around 16,000 a game in Venezuela). Each team has a current or former Major Leaguer and each team should match up well with the other. However, we will just have to see how the games play out.