Today at 5:30AM the Cuban National Team with make its Premier 12 debut against ot Dominican counterparts, with left-hander Yoennis Yera facing of with righty Willy Peralta. Cuba has opted to go with Yera over its ace Liván Moinelo. Many think this is a quite risky decision by the team from the communist island.
Cuban manager Armando Johnson has instead chosen to save Moinelo for the South Koreans, a team that has beaten Cuba twice in the last two editions of the tournament. “It is a collegiate and risky decision, but we have made it to save Liván Moinelo for the game against Korea on Thursday the 14th,” said Johnson to Cuban journalist Joel García.
“We are going for the two victories. We have structured a pitching rotation in the preparation games that allows the starter to pitch four innings, at most five, and then give way to the relief,” added Johnson. It’s not about saving the pitcher, but about going with the best pitcher for each game, and fighting for that victory against the Dominicans.” Days before the team’s departure, Moinelo had been announced as the starter for the first day, but the decision was changed upon further analysis.
“When I train a team for a national or international event my mood is always positive. I don’t have stress. Our preparation has been very good and that will be seen in the tournament. The goal is to reach the final round no matter how hard it may seem,” said the manager in a conversation with García. “The players who have joined us in the midst of our preparation have fulfilled what we expected. Erisbel Arruebaruena, for example, underwent surgery, but is now in optimal shape. Ariel Martínez will play first base and Yadir Drake will be our rightfielder, although he can also play first; and Ariel, in an extreme case can also catch for us.”