Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, Jan 7. - Villa Clara takes the field today at the Augusto César Sandino stadium, in the 64th National Baseball Series, with a noose around its neck and the roar of hope: only a victory will keep the flame of the orange-colored feat alive.
The Leopardos, hanging by a thread in the standings, face the first of their eight remaining duels with the titanic goal of winning them all and finishing with 40 victories, the number needed to displace the Vegueros of Pinar del Río from the last playoff spot.
The task borders on the impossible. With a record of 32 wins and 35 losses, the Villa Clara squad needs something more than baseball: faith, courage, and luck, because on the other side will be the Leñadores of Las Tunas, champions of the last two editions of the tournament and undisputed leaders with 48 wins and only 24 losses.
Although the Tunas’ natives have already secured first place and are calmly looking towards the playoffs, Abeicy Pantoja's squad will not allow any respite. They want to keep their saw sharp and their competitive spirit honed before the clashes that will decide the national title.
A Villa Clara victory will prolong the uncertainty for the final playoff ticket. A defeat, on the other hand, will crown Pinar del Río's qualification and set the stage for the start of the quarterfinals, scheduled as best-of-five games.
Already seated on the train to the postseason, besides Las Tunas, are the Cocodrilos from Matanzas (second place), who will face the Gallos from Sancti Spíritus (seventh place).
Also securing their passes are the Cachorros from Holguín (third place), who will go against the Cazadores from Artemisa (sixth place), and the teams of the Huracanes from Mayabeque (fourth place) and Industriales from La Habana (fifth place), who will clash with each other. (Source: ACN)
