The Leñadores (Las Tunas Lumberjacks) continue their journey in the Baseball Champions League Americas 2025 this Thursday after their devastating debut against the Curaçao-based Santa Maria Pirates.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- At 4:00 p.m. (Cuban time), the green-and-reds will face the Kane County Cougars, who also earned a smile in their first matchup against the Curaçao representative (16-14) on the opening day. The Cougars are the reigning champions of the American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB) and are affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB).

The match between the Cuban and the North American teams will determine the top spot in Group B and the first team to qualify for the semifinals. A win for Los Leñadores would be a giant step forward in their hopes of reaching the final and lifting the championship trophy.

A loss would see the green-red squad drop them to second place (1-1) and force them to play against Puerto Rico’s Florida Titans tomorrow, who are already third in Group A after losing their both matches against Mexico's Diablos Rojos and the Chinandega Tigers of the Nicaraguan Pomares League.

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If this happens, according to the schedule, the Lumberjacks and Cougars would face each other again in the semifinals if the Las Tunas squad comes out on top in the elimination round. Hence, it is crucial to defeat the North American team today.

Manager Abeicy Pantoja will stick with the same starting lineup, with Mayabeque right-hander Albert Valladares, who was announced as the second starter in the pre-tournament press conference. Valladares is part of the pitching staff of the Leñadores in the 3rd Elite League; he has started three games, recording one win and one loss, with 14 strikeouts and a 2.65 ERA.