Tijuana Toros Preview: Toros Look To Bounce Back After Embarrassing Display In Monterrey
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Toros now have a 2-4 record after getting swept by Sultanes de Monterrey this past week in a three-game series.
Pedro Mere’s men now seek redemption as the team will host Generales de Durango in a three-game series this weekend. The three-game set will start this Friday at 7:35 P.M. PST with the pitching matchup between Carlos Hernandez and Sergio Sierra. The border city side looked promising in their opening series of the LMB season against Acereros del Norte, where the team had managed 20 scoreless innings before heading out to Monterrey.
The bullpen had a meltdown against Sultanes as it allowed 13 runs throughout the three-game set. The offense was quiet in the first game of the series against Monterrey but did score nine runs collectively in the last two games. The base runners were almost nonexistent against Los Regios with only one stolen base in the three-game set.
This made a huge impact on the series and the Toros should try and take more risks on the basepaths this weekend against Durango. The Toros have a very speedy and potent lineup that should be able to produce some runs this weekend against Generales.
Generales de Durango have a 4-2 record after sweeping Vaqueros de Union Laguna away from home. Durango did not have the best start to the season after losing a series to Rieleros de Aguascalientes but will look to finish their nine-game road stand strong in Tijuana.
Pitching can be inconsistent for Generales but the offense has looked solid so far with 19 runs produced in their last three games. The team is led by former major leaguer and former Toros’ hitting coach Matias Carrillo that should know Tijuana’s lineup quite well.
Los Duranguenses do not have a plethora of star players but will be a tough team to break down especially with Carrillo at the helm. The Toros will need to get off to a good start in the series as the border city side is yet to win the first game of a series this season.
Pedro Mere’s men will have a good chance to do so with Sergio Sierra on the mound for Durango this Friday. Sierra did not look sharp in his first start of the 2018 LMB season with two runs allowed in just two innings pitched. Carlos Hernandez, who pitched five scoreless innings in his first start this year will go for Tijuana and should be able to take down Durango and Sierra in the first game of the three-game set.
The series should be an action-packed one with the potential of a lot of runs throughout the weekend at the Estadio Gasmart. Toros should take the series with a better team and the home-field advantage that led the team to their first series win this season against Monclova
Players to Watch
The American designated hitter and outfielder is hot, currently 3-for-8 with four RBI in the Toros’ last two games. Martin brings a lot of power and speed as he stole home in Tijuana’s latest game at the Estadio Gasmart. It will be interesting to see what the Texas native can do as an encore in front of the Toros’ fans this weekend against Generales. Martin is now the Toros’ all-time run producer as well and will be motivated to perform in front of the home crowd.
Yadir Drake
The Cuban outfielder has an impressive .545 BA to start off the season along with two home runs and eight RBI. The 27-year-old hit .345 with 14 home runs in 2017 and is on track for a better season than that in 2018. Drake is arguably the most dangerous player in Durango’s lineup and should be one to watch in this series.
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.