Tijuana Toros Series Preview: Toros Start Nine-Game Homestand With Three-Game Set Against Monterrey
Tijuana, Mexico
The Tijuana Toros are back at the Estadio Gasmart and are here to stay for a while as the team will start a nine-game homestand this Tuesday, May 1. The Tijuana Xolos have made the playoffs and will host Rayados de Monterrey this Wednesday, May 2, and across the city, the Toros start up a three-game series against Sultanes de Monterrey this Tuesday.
The series should be one of the best in the LMB this week as both teams are among the top title-contenders this season. The Border City Bulls have an 18-14 record and are currently third in the LMB Zona Norte division. Pedro Mere’s men are coming off a three-game series against Saltillo that was limited to two games because of the weather.
The series was split and was not the best result for Tijuana as Saltillo is currently one of the worst teams in the LMB with an 11-21 record. The Toros have stayed consistent all year long with bullpen inconsistencies and power at the plate. The bullpen is currently the Achilles heel on the team, but is improving with a new addition in Daniel Moskos.
The power is still there as Tijuana is third in the LMB in home runs with 40, and also counter with players like Cyle Hankerd, Isaac Rodriguez, and Corey Brown, who are among the best in the league in several offensive categories.
Sultanes de Monterrey also have a powerful offense and counter with Ricky Alvarez, who currently leads the LMB in home runs with 12, and RBI with 38. Alvarez is a Tijuana native and attended Otay Ranch high school in Chula Vista, California, and has been a consistent player in the LMB for several years now.
He and Monterrey’s potent squad, under the leadership of Roberto Kelly, have amassed an impressive 23-10 record, which is the best in the Zona Norte division and joint-best in the entire LMB. Monterrey has built a powerful team this season with Alvarez, Ramiro Pena, Chris Roberson, and the newly-acquired Yadir Drake.
Sultanes swept the Toros in a previous series this year in Monterrey, but this should be a tougher matchup for the Northern Mexican side away from home. The series should be filled with excitement at the Estadio Gasmart and could really shape the Zona Norte division after it.
Pitching Matchups
Kyle Lobstein (2-0; 1.69) vs Felipe González (2-2; 4.26) Tuesday, May 1 (7:35 P.M. PST)
Manny Barreda (1-1; 8.40) vs Marco Tovar (4-1; 2.78) Wednesday, May 2 (7:35 P.M. PST)
Miguel Peña (1-1; 5.56) vs Jorge Reyes (1-0; 3.10) Thursday, May 3 (7:35 P.M. PST)
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.