Tijuana Toros Game Preview: Toros Aim To Take Series Against Tabasco After Offensive Outburst
Credit: Diego Perez
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Toros will play the second game of a three-game series against Olmecas de Tabasco this Wednesday, April 11.
The Border City Bulls came away with a dominant 15-2 result in the first game of the three-game set and are the heavy favorites to get another win in Game 2.
Pedro Mere’s men now have an 8-8 record and will look to improve their record past the .500 mark. Olmecas de Tabasco now has a 6-10 mark and does not seem like it will be a very competitive team in the Zona Sur division. The Toros should have the second game of the series in the bag, especially when considering last night’s performance and looking at the pitching matchup for this encounter.
Pitching Matchup
Angel Araiza (0-2 5.06 ERA) vs Carlos Hernandez (2-0 4.15 ERA)
Carlos Hernandez has been one of Tijuana’s better pitchers this season and is coming off a tremendous start against Bravos de Leon. The California native only allowed two runs through seven innings at the Estadio Domingo Santana for his second solid start of the year. His first good start of the season came against Acereros del Norte as he tossed five scoreless innings against Monclova at the Estadio Gasmart.
Angel Araiza’s best start of the tournament came in his first start of the year as he only allowed a run in six innings against Leones de Yucatan. “Mamba” had a decent outing his last time out as he permitted three earned runs through five innings against Rieleros de Aguascalientes. Araiza did give up 10 hits in that start and may struggle against Toros’ powerful lineup in this game.
Player to Watch
The player to watch in this second game of the series has to be Maxwell Leon after the performance he put in on Tuesday night. The Mexico City native went 2-for-3 with two home runs and finished the day with a whopping five RBI. The Mexican utility player is hitting .528 with a .638 OBP and batted ninth in the Toros’ lineup on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see if Leon moves up in the order and how he will fare after his outstanding showing.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.