2024-07-06 02:43:14
Text: Cuba News 360 Editorial Team
Photo: RL Hevia
After swimming so much, the Indios del Guaso died on the shore, or in other words, at the gates of the Cuban baseball postseason. But not before showing a good dose of dedication and passion that made the team led by Rubén Prevot the most pleasant surprise of the 63rd National Baseball Series.
Ultimately, the Gallos from Sancti Spiritus did their job against Cienfuegos and with their double victory in the last day of the regular stage of the championship they reached 40 victories with 35 defeats, which gave them an eighth place in the playoff train.
Both Yayaberos and Guantanameros finished with the same balance of wins and losses, but the most surprising thing is that Matanzas also finished like this. However, the Cocodrilos already had their place guaranteed from the previous day, because any variation of a triple tie would benefit them thanks to a better dividend in the games between those involved.
That same rule was what allowed Sancti Spíritus to return to the postseason, after beating Guantánamo 4-1 in the special sub-series, so the only thing that was needed for the eastern team was to finish with one more victory, something that ultimately did not happen, to the chagrin of hundreds of fans from all over the country who supported their cause.
However, the battle of the crosses towards the title discussion is still far from beginning, due to the pending and suspended games, which involve Pinar del Río, Granma and Las Tunas, occupants of the top positions in the classification.
With Santiago de Cuba, Industriales, Ciego de Ávila, Matanzas and Sancti Espíritus already in the fourth to eighth places, in that order, the order of the first three remains to be known, which would unlock three quarterfinal pairings. So far, only the one that will once again pit Leones against Avispas has been defined, in another edition of the Cuban baseball classic in the playoffs, just as it happened last year in the semifinals.
For now, Vegueros de Pinar (49-24) and Alazanes de Granma (47-26) have two games pending, which if the latter win, would catapult them to the top of the series. However, that privileged position could end up in the hands of Las Tunas (41-26) if they win the eight games remaining, five against La Isla and three against Artemisa.