Tijuana Toros Preview: Everything Set For 2018 LMB Season Opener, Except The Weather
Credit: Toros Twitter
Game: Tijuana Toros vs Acereros del Norte
When: Thursday, March 22, 2018
Where: Estadio Gasmart, Tijuana, Mexico
Time: 8:35 P.M. PST
Tijuana, Mexico
The LMB (Mexican Baseball League) season is set to start this Thursday when the Tijuana Toros begin a three-game series against Acereros del Norte.
Tijuana’s home opener at the Estadio Gasmart will be the only game in the LMB nationwide, but it may not come to fruition. There is a 50-percent chance of rain around game time, and throughout the night this Thursday, which means we could be seeing a doubleheader at some point this weekend.
Regardless, here is a preview of the opening game of the season between the Tijuana Toros and Acereros del Norte.
Pitching Matchup
Sergio Mitre is set to be the Opening Day starter for the border city side while Josh Lowey is set to throw for the visiting team. Mitre offers a wealth of experience and is coming off success in the offseason in the Mexican Pacific League. The former Montgomery high school student won the LMP title with Tomateros de Culiacan and will be motivated to help Toros defend their LMB title. The 37-year-old posted a 3.10 ERA with a 5-3 record in eight starts in the 2017 LMB season with Tijuana and Yucatan and a 2.59 ERA with a 6-4 record in the LMP this past winter with Mexicali. The Los Angeles native will have a very tough counterpart to break down in Josh Lowey, who has no MLB experience, but is a veteran when it comes to Mexican baseball.
Lowey has been playing with Acereros del Norte since 2014 and has compiled a very successful LMB career. In 2016, the American hurler had his best season in Mexico as he posted an incredible 1.65 ERA with a 13-3 record. Last season, the Florida native put in another respectable campaign with a 2.69 ERA, an 8-5 record, and 146 strikeouts in 20 starts. Lowey did get the better of Mitre the last time they faced off as Acereros took a dominant 8-0 win against Toros. This should be an old-school pitching bout as both hurlers should trouble their opponents at the Estadio Gasmart this Thursday.
Players to Watch
The most notable acquisition for the Tijuana Toros this offseason was Justin Greene from Acereros del Norte. Greene will add plenty of speed and pop to Pedro Mere’s lineup and is set to be the lead-off hitter this season. The American outfielder swiped 51 bases last year in the LMB and had a tremendous .354 batting average along with 13 dingers. Greene will be facing his former team and it will be exciting to see what he can do at the plate and on the base paths with his new team.
Manny Rodriguez 2B
Monclova does carry some notable former MLB players like Jemile Weeks, Delmon Young, and Ruben Rivera. However, Manny Rodriguez will be the player to watch in this game and in this series as he won the MVP award in the LMP this winter as a member of Charros de Jalisco. The Mexican infielder hit .371 with 10 home runs, 58 RBI, and also snagged himself a Gold Glove Award as well.
Prediction
This game is likely to get rained out, but if it is played, it should be a great encounter to start off the new LMB season. EVT predicts a slim 2-1 win for the Tijuana Toros in what should be a great pitcher’s duel at the Estadio Gasmart. This game could also easily end in a slugfest with all of the great batters on both teams, but Mitre and Lowey should be in top form to start off the new campaign.
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.