It will not be Liván Moinelo, the best arm of the pitching staff, who will start Cuba‘s first game in the Premier-12, against the Dominican Republic, at the Tianmu Baseball Stadium, in the capital of Taipei, China. Just before leaving for the preparatory tour of Asia, Armando Johnson, director of the group, had stated – categorically – that he would give the ball to the Pinar del Río star.
However, he changed his mind, although he acknowledged, according to colleague Joel García, that “it is a risky decision.” In short, he will send another left-handed player to the mound, also very experienced, Yoannis Yera from Matanzas.
Regarding the appointment of the Yumurino, the Cuban helmsman specified that it is a collegiate conclusion, with the aim of Moinelo pitching to South Korea, the next day, in the second appearance of the Greater Antilles in the contest. His point of view is that this could be the key game, the one that decides qualification for the next round, which is achieved only if one of the first two places in the area is occupied.
Like any decision, it has pros and cons. It is always said that the first game is very important; It would be useless to beat South Korea and face a setback against the Dominicans. I’m not even saying that Moinelo is invincible, much less that Yera is incapable of walking the four episodes that the openers have been going through on the tour.
What happens is that the first step in a short, highly demanding calendar must be ensured from the start. It is true that the South Koreans reach group b of the tournament as favorites, but they are not the only ones, since rivals such as Japan and the local team appear, which are highly efficient teams on the field. That is to say, it is not only that opponent that must be defeated because, although there are countless variables, four wins out of five is a safe classification.
With the decision already made, the turnaround player would be launching two challenges. After his commitment in his squad’s second outing, if he continues with his pace of work every six days, he could open the first duel of the Super round, on the 20th, if his team finishes second in the group, or on the 21st, if it were whoever finished in first place.
In baseball it is difficult to have unanimity of criteria, and that makes it richer, more Cuban. In my opinion, I believe that Johnson’s first decision, that of last October 14, to use Moinelo in the premiere, is the most correct; But he not only has the maximum responsibility, but he has an experienced team that had to thoroughly study the South Korean team and evaluate the rest of the opponents, to define that the duel against the current runners-up of the tournament and holders of the first editing is the most important.
It has also emerged that the Cuban mentor would line up in the box with Ariel Martínez at first, Yadil Mujica at second, Yoan Moncada at third and Erisbel Arruebarruena as shortstop. It is a formation very similar to that of the last World Classic that, just like then, will find Andrys Pérez at catcher.
The outfielders could be Roel Santos, Yoelkis Guibert and Yadir Drake, the latter in right; His two companions, in our opinion, have the credentials for the other two meadows. Alfredo Despaigne must be the designated one. With those same troops there are more variants, due to the versatility of the squad, since Martínez has quality in left field, as does Drake in first, with Santos in center field and Guibert in right.
Anyway, all we have to do is go to bed early today, so that at 5:30 in the morning we can get on the mound with Yera, and take the wood against the Dominican Republic.
