Mexico Green Ends Dominican Republic’s Repeat Bid, Reaches Caribbean Final

The 68th Caribbean Series in Guadalajara gave fans an all-Mexico showdown after two wild semifinals. Tomateros de Culiacán and Charros de Jalisco are set for a championship battle.

Culiacán knocked out defending champion Leones del Escogido 9-4. Meanwhile, the host Charros edged past Cangrejeros de Santurce 8-6.

This weekend’s title game will air on MLB Network. You can also stream it on MLBN Direct-To-Consumer and MLB.TV.

Semifinals Recap

Two very different games set the stage for a Mexican final. The Tomateros took charge with a fourth-inning spark.

Charros needed a seventh-inning rally and a strong bullpen to secure their spot in the final.

Tomateros de Culiacán vs Leones del Escogido

Estevan Florial changed everything with a three-run homer off Oscar de la Cruz. That blast fired up the Tomateros’ offense.

Culiacán racked up nine runs over their last two games. Luis Verdugo went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. Victor Mendoza and Yadir Drake both had three hits.

David Reyes started on the mound. He got backup from relievers Anthony Gose, Norman Elenes, Sasagi Sanchez, Rafael Cordova, and Lupe Chavez. Together, they kept Escogido quiet after the fourth.

Escogido’s bullpen struggled all tournament, and the Tomateros took full advantage.

Charros de Jalisco vs Cangrejeros de Santurce

Charros staged a big comeback in the seventh inning. Mateo Gil tied it with an RBI single, then Leo Heras knocked in two more to put Jalisco ahead.

The bullpen locked it down after that. Trevor Clifton closed out the game for his second save of the tournament.

Jalisco now becomes the first host finalist since 2015. That’s a pretty big deal for the home crowd.

Manager Benji Gil, who’s set to lead Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, is chasing his first Caribbean Series title as a manager. He’s already won it as a player.

His squad’s grit in the seventh and the bullpen’s late work say a lot about the depth of this Charros team.

Final Showdown: All-Mexico Championship

Saturday’s championship will pit Charros de Jalisco against Tomateros de Culiacán. MLB Network will broadcast the game, with streaming on MLBN Direct-To-Consumer and MLB.TV.

For fans in Guadalajara and all over Mexico, this is huge. It’s only the second time two Mexican clubs will face off in a Caribbean Series final.

The stakes and the pride? Through the roof.

Key Moments and Stars to Watch

Tomateros’ win came from Florial’s homer and big nights at the plate from Verdugo and Drake. David Reyes set the tone on the mound, and the bullpen slammed the door.

Charros’ seventh-inning rally was the turning point. Gil’s leadership and a reliable bullpen, capped by another Clifton save, made the difference.

What This Means for Mexican Baseball and the Caribbean Series

This year’s Caribbean Series really shows off Mexican baseball’s strength. An all-Mexico final? That says a lot about the depth on both sides.

With Benji Gil at the helm, hopes are up for Team Mexico heading into the World Baseball Classic. If they ride this wave, who knows how far they’ll go?

Takeaways for Fans and Prospects

• Tomateros’ balanced attack: Florial’s power stands out, while Verdugo brings a solid two-way impact. Drake keeps things steady with his contact consistency, so Culiacán’s offense feels tough to rattle.
• Charros’ late-game intelligence: Gil isn’t afraid to shake up tactics late, and their bullpen really seems to love the pressure. Jalisco always looks dangerous in a one-game final.
• With two host-country teams in the final, the local support feels electric. There’s a historic flavor to this Caribbean Series, and honestly, it cranks up the hype for the next World Baseball Classic rosters.

Maybe you’re in it for the offense, those wild clutch moments, or just the chess match of pitching. The 68th Caribbean Series has brought all of that, landing us at an all-Mexico title game that’s got everyone talking about what’s next for Mexican baseball on the world stage.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mexico Green ends DR’s repeat bid, advances to Caribbean Series final