Live Monday, March 29th, 2021 2pm EST Cuban National Series Final Game 2 via Cubadugout. Granma vs Matanzas in Cuban baseball playoff action live in HD.
Game 1 of the Cuban National Series playoffs was as advertised and almost to formula. Lazaro Blanco and Yoennis Yera proved why they are the two best veteran Cuban starting pitchers. Blanco gave up a solo home run to the second batter of the game in Yadil Mujica and would scatter another solo home run to Anibal Medina as the only runs surrendered. Yera would give up a solo run in the first as well and but for two runs on a string of hits in the fifth was dominant. He took the hard luck loss despite scattering five hits going the complete game and striking out eleven.
Granma showed no ill effects from an extended layoff. They last played on February 27th and due to Covid-19 delaying the other series had a month off. Lazaro Blanco improved to 5-0 in these playoffs and has looked in control in every start so far. He will get the chance to set a new record of 6-0 in a playoff run and could also tie the record for most pitching wins in a playoff as well. Blanco limited his mistakes to two solo home runs and pitched into the eighth in putting Granma ahead in the series.
The Cocodrilos will hope to bounce back on Monday afternoon and will have Yadir Drake back in the lineup. Drake represents a big bat returning to Cuba this year after a successful pro career. He was suspended for 1 game for his role in the semi-final bench clearing dust up with Las Tunas. Matanzas will turn to another veteran starter in Noelvis Entenza who they have used out of the bullpen in the playoffs as well.
