Expectations are high for the Charros de Jalisco after the Guadalajara-based ball club recorded a win in their home opener to the 2017-18 season of the winter Mexican Pacific League (LMP).
An enthusiastic full house at the Charros Stadium in Zapopan saw Tapatio boxing legend Saul “Canelo” Alvarez throw out the first pitch before the local ball club squeezed out a 7-6 win over the Venados de Mazatlan.
The team was given a pep talk by Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval – a huge baseball fan – prior to the game.
Thursday evening’s victory followed on the heels of a tight 5-4 triumph in the Charros’ season opener on the road in Mazatlan a day earlier.
The promising 2-0 start to the season sets up a three-game home series against the Yaquis de Obregon this weekend. Tickets are likely to be at a premium, since online sales prior to the opener were only offered as a four-game package.
The pressure on the Charros to be in contention for the title is fierce, given that the winner of this year’s LMP will represent Mexico in the Series de Caribe, which will be held at the Charros Stadium in Zapopan next March.
The Charros have hired six foreign ball players – including some ferocious big hitters – in a major off-season effort to wipe away the memories of last term, when the team finished rock bottom of the eight-club league.
First baseman Brock Stassi played in 51 games for the Philadelphia Phillies this year, batting .194, after making his MLB debut on April 3 (opening day).
“Just because you arrive here with a major league ‘label’ doesn’t mean things are going to be easy,” Stassi said. “Every opportunity to play outside the United Sates will be a great help to improve my skills. It’s all about working and improving each day.”
First baseman Matt Clark and outfielder Chris Colabello, both professional U.S. ball players with extensive minor league experience, have already enjoyed successful seasons in the country’s summer competition, the Liga Mexican de Beisbol (LMB). Meanwhile, lead off man Billy Burns (.270) has 46 stolen bases and 55 RBIs in four seasons with the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland Athletics.
Sandoval said he anticipates a successful season and has great fait in the new manager Tony Taracsco.
Taracsco – who played for six MLB clubs during his career and is a former first base coach for the Washington Nationals – brings “a U.S. mentality” to his work, according to Charros’s Sporting Director Ray Padilla.
Each home game of the season will have a different novelty, such as mariachi, fireworks, bobblehead, 2x1 deals (ladies/students), free balls/pins for kids, piñatas, and more.
The Estadio de Beisbol Charros is located at Calle Sta. Lucía 373, Col. Tepeyac, a few blocks from the Auditorio Telmex. Parking is available in the auditorium’s lot. Tickets for games are available prior to games at the stadium box office, at the gate or through charrosjalisco.com.
Charros’ Home Games Season 2017-18
Thursday, October 12, 7 p.m. vs. Venados de Mazatlan
Friday, October 13, 7 p.m. vs. Yaquis de Obregon
Saturday, October 14, 5 p.m. vs. Yaquis de Obregon
Sunday, October 15, 1 p.m. vs. Yaquis de Obregon
Tuesday, October 24, 7 p.m. vs. Aguilas de Mexicali
Wednesday, October 25, 7 p.m. vs. Aguilas de Mexicali
Thursday, October 26, 7 p.m. vs. Aguilas de Mexicali
Friday, October 27, 7 p.m. vs. Venados de Mazatlan
Saturday, October 28, 5 p.m. vs. Venados de Mazatlan
Sunday, October 29, 1 p.m. vs. Venados de Mazatlan
Friday, November 3, 7 p.m. vs. Mayos de Navojoa
Saturday, November 4, 5 p.m. vs. Mayos de Navojoa
Sunday, November 5, 1 p.m. vs. Mayos de Navojoa
Tuesday, November 14, 7 p.m. vs. Cañeros de Los Mochis
Wednesday, November 15, 7 p.m. vs. Cañeros de Los Mochis
Thursday, November 16, 7 p.m. vs. Cañeros de Los Mochis
Friday, November 17, 7 p.m. vs. Tomateros de Culiacan
Saturday, November 18, 5 p.m. vs. Tomateros de Culiacan
Sunday, November 19, 1 p.m. vs. Tomateros de Culiacan
Tuesday, November 28, 7 p.m. vs. Naranjeros de Hermosillo
Wednesday, November 29, 7 p.m. vs. Naranjeros de Hermosillo
Thursday, November 30, 7 p.m. vs. Naranjeros de Hermosillo
Tuesday, December 5, 7 p.m. vs. Aguilas de Mexicali
Wednesday, December 6, 7 p.m. vs. Aguilas de Mexicali
Thursday, December 7, 7 p.m. vs. Aguilas de Mexicali
Friday, December 8, 7 p.m. vs. Cañeros de Los Mochis
Saturday, December 9, 5 p.m. vs. Cañeros de Los Mochis
Sunday, December 10, 1 p.m. vs. Cañeros de Los Mochis
Tuesday, December 19, 7 p.m. vs. Venados de Mazatlan
Wednesday, December 20, 7 p.m. vs. Venados de Mazatlan
Thursday, December 21, 7 p.m. vs. Venados de Mazatlan
Friday, December 22, 7 p.m. vs. Mayos de Navojoa
Saturday, December 23, 5 p.m. vs. Mayos de Navojoa
Monday, December 25, 7 p.m. vs. Mayos de Navojoa