Overview
- Puerto Rico’s Cangrejeros de Santurce erased a four-run deficit and won 5-4 on Rubén Castro’s two-run walk-off against Mexico Green’s Tomateros de Culiacán.
- The Dominican Republic’s Leones del Escogido beat Mexico Red’s Charros de Jalisco 5-4, highlighted by Junior Lake’s three-run double as the champions began their title defense.
- Monday’s slate pairs Santurce and Escogido at 3 p.m. ET for an early lead in the standings, followed by Panama’s Federales de Chiriquí debuting against Jalisco at 8 p.m. ET.
- The event was relocated from Caracas to Guadalajara after concerns raised by Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela withdrew to stage a separate Serie de las Américas.
- This year’s field features five teams — including two from Mexico — playing a five-day round robin before semifinals on Feb. 6 and the championship on Feb. 7 at Estadio Panamericano.