Santo Domingo - Puerto Rico faces Venezuela today and Mexico will rival the host Dominican Republic at the beginning of the 2016 Santo Domingo Caribbean Baseball Series, scheduled until February 7 in this city.

The Puerto Rican champion, Santurce Cangrejeros, will play against Venezuela's Aragua Tigres in the first match of the 58th edition of the Caribbean baseball classic.

In the second game, the Dominican representative, Leones del Escogido, will seek to take advantage of its local status and the support from the audience attending the legendary Quisqueya stadium to try to win on its debut against the Mazatlan Venados, winner of the Mexican Pacific League.

The Ciego de Avila Tigres, Cuban representative, are bye in the opening day but they will seek to reissue the title achieved by Pinar del Río Vegueros the previous year in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Roger Machado, Cuban head coach, positively assessed the chance to see in action the other four competing teams before making his debut in the tournament, although he acknowledged that resting on the first day can also bring advice harmful effects.

If they qualify for the semi-finals on February 6, the Cuban squad must play at least five consecutive games, resulting in physical stress for the players, especially pitchers.

The Cuban side arrived on Sunday to the Dominican capital by Las Americas International Airport, and today they will have a training session prior to their debut tomorrow against the Mexican team Mazatlan Venados.