Monday was a banner day for Venezuelan baseball as Navegantes del Magallanes completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in LVBP history, claiming their 14th championship with a 14-6 rout of Caribes de Anzoátegui.
Meanwhile, the Caribbean Series continued in Zapopan with the Dominican Republic’s Leones del Escogido staying perfect at 2-0 and Mexico’s Charros de Jalisco bouncing back with an 11-4 demolition of Panama.
In Argentina, the Torneo Apertura delivered drama as Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez scored an emotional debut goal for Tigre in a 3-1 win over a struggling Racing side, while Gimnasia La Plata’s Nicolás Barros Schelotto produced a stunning free-kick in their victory over Aldosivi.
Brazil’s Campeonato Paulista saw Mirassol and Novorizontino share the points after a rain-delayed match, while Liga MX’s midweek picture was shaped by Chivas’ continued perfect run and a scrappy goalless draw between Querétaro and Pachuca.
1. Navegantes del Magallanes crowned LVBP champions with dominant 14-6 win over Caribes (Venezuela)
Key facts:
- Navegantes del Magallanes defeated Caribes de Anzoátegui 14-6 in Game 6 of the LVBP Final at Estadio Alfonso “Chico” Carrasquel in Puerto La Cruz, clinching the series 4-2.
- This is Magallanes’ 14th championship in LVBP history.
- Manager Yadier Molina, the former MLB catcher, guided the Navegantes to the title in his first full season at the helm.
- The offense exploded with a seven-run fifth inning. Rougned Odor homered and drove in multiple runs; Leandro Cedeño continued his MVP-caliber series with key hits.
- Magallanes completed one of the greatest comebacks in LVBP history—they were 12-20 and in last place on November 23 before winning 17 of their final 24 games.
- As LVBP champion, Magallanes will represent Venezuela at the Serie de las Américas 2026 (February 5-13 in Caracas), not the Caribbean Series due to Venezuela’s withdrawal from that tournament.
Why picked: The coronation of Magallanes caps a remarkable underdog story. A team written off in November rode Yadier Molina’s leadership and a red-hot offense to the title.
Their 14-6 blowout in the clincher—on the road in Caribes’ home stadium—was a statement performance that gave Venezuelan baseball fans a triumphant finish to a politically turbulent season.
2. Caribbean Series Day 2: Dominican Republic stays perfect; Mexico Rojo routs Panama (Mexico / International)
Key facts:
- Game 1 (2:00 PM): Leones del Escogido (Dominican Republic) 5-3 Cangrejeros de Santurce (Puerto Rico). The defending champions improved to 2-0 with starter Enny Romero throwing five scoreless innings and Christian Adames driving in three runs.
- Game 2 (7:00 PM): Charros de Jalisco (México Rojo) 11-4 Federales de Chiriquí (Panamá). Bligh Madris hit a first-inning grand slam; Julián Ornelas added a solo homer; Luis Iván Rodríguez pitched five shutout innings for the win.
- Standings after Day 2: Dominican Republic 2-0; Puerto Rico 1-1; México Rojo 1-1; México Verde 0-1; Panamá 0-1.
- Day 3 (Tuesday, February 3) features Panamá vs. México Verde (2:00 PM) and México Rojo vs. Puerto Rico (7:00 PM).
Why picked: The Caribbean Series is the premier winter baseball event in Latin America. Dominican Republic’s Leones del Escogido look dominant as defending champions, while Mexico’s Charros de Jalisco bounced back from their opening-day loss with an 11-4 rout that kept their tournament hopes alive. The grand slam by Madris was the signature moment of Day 2.
3. Tigre 3-1 Racing: Pity Martínez scores emotional debut goal as Racing’s crisis deepens (Argentina)
Key facts:
- Tigre defeated Racing 3-1 at Estadio José Dellagiovanna in Jornada 3 of the Torneo Apertura 2026.
- David Romero opened the scoring in the 45’+4′ with a solo run from midfield, beating goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses one-on-one.
- Gabriel Rojas equalized for Racing at 80′ with a powerful left-footed strike, but Ignacio Russo restored Tigre’s lead at 85′.
- Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez, who joined Tigre as a free agent from River, entered as a substitute and sealed the win at 89′ with a brilliant individual goal—dribbling past defenders and chipping Cambeses.
- Martínez was emotional after scoring, drawing comparisons to his iconic third goal against Boca in the 2018 Libertadores final.
- Racing has now lost all three matches under Gustavo Costas (0 points), while Tigre sits joint top of Zona B with 7 points alongside River Plate.
Why picked: The return of Pity Martínez to Argentine football—and his immediate impact at Tigre—was the story of the night. His goal brought back memories of his greatest moments at River.
Meanwhile, Racing’s winless start under a legendary coach has become a full-blown crisis, with the reigning Copa Sudamericana champions looking rudderless.
4. Gimnasia La Plata 3-1 Aldosivi: Barros Schelotto’s free-kick stunner highlights home win (Argentina)
Key facts:
- Gimnasia La Plata beat Aldosivi 3-1 at Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo (“El Bosque”) in Jornada 3 of the Torneo Apertura 2026.
- Nicolás Barros Schelotto opened the scoring at 13′ with a spectacular direct free-kick that curled into the top corner.
- Federico Gino equalized from the penalty spot at 41′ for Aldosivi.
- Agustín Auzmendi (80′) and Marcelo Torres (84′, penalty) sealed the victory in the second half for Gimnasia.
- Gimnasia moves to 6 points (3rd in Zona B); Aldosivi remains winless with 2 points (12th in Zona B).
Why picked: Barros Schelotto’s free-kick goal was the highlight of the Argentine football day—a technically brilliant strike that showcased his set-piece prowess. Gimnasia’s comfortable home win keeps them in the hunt behind leaders River and Tigre in Zona B.—
5. Querétaro 0-0 Pachuca: Goalless draw with two red cards closes Liga MX Jornada 4 (Mexico)
Key facts:
- Querétaro and Pachuca drew 0-0 at Estadio La Corregidora to close out Jornada 4 of the Liga MX Clausura 2026.
- The match was marred by defensive play, fouls, and injuries—with few clear chances for either side.
- Santiago Homenchenko (Querétaro) was sent off at 90’+2′ after an altercation; Carlos Moreno (Pachuca) was also red-carded at 90’+9′.
- Mateo Coronel nearly won it for Querétaro at 89′ but goalkeeper Carlos Moreno made a crucial save.
- Querétaro moves to 2 points (0W-2D-2L); Pachuca sits on 5 points (1W-2D-1L, 10th place).
- Pachuca maintains their unbeaten run at La Corregidora dating back to 2021.
Why picked: The match that closed Liga MX’s Jornada 4 was a tense, scrappy affair that ended with two red cards and considerable frustration for both sets of fans.
Neither team found a breakthrough in a forgettable contest, but Pachuca’s continued jinx over Querétaro at La Corregidora remains an interesting subplot.
6. Defensa y Justicia 0-0 Estudiantes: Iacovich heroics preserve draw in Florencio Varela (Argentina)
Key facts:
- Defensa y Justicia and Estudiantes de La Plata played out a 0-0 draw at Estadio Norberto Tomaghello in Jornada 3 of the Torneo Apertura 2026.
- Estudiantes goalkeeper Fabricio Iacovich was man of the match, making several key saves including a stunning stop from Aaron Molinas’ free-kick.
- Estudiantes played more than a half with ten men after a red card, making the point even more valuable.
- Both teams sit on 5 points in Zona A, two behind leaders Platense and Vélez.
Why picked: A hard-fought stalemate between two teams with playoff aspirations. Iacovich’s goalkeeping masterclass kept Estudiantes in the game when they were under pressure and down a man—a point gained rather than two dropped for the visitors.
7. Unión Santa Fe 4-0 Gimnasia de Mendoza: Dominant home display in the Apertura (Argentina)
Key facts:
- Unión Santa Fe routed Gimnasia de Mendoza 4-0 at Estadio 15 de Abril in Jornada 3 of the Torneo Apertura 2026.
- An own goal by Profini Paredes opened the scoring; additional goals came from Estigarribia and Díaz.
- Unión moves to 4 points (8th in Zona A); Gimnasia de Mendoza falls to 3 points (11th in Zona A).
- The margin of victory was the largest of the day across all Argentine top-flight matches.
Why picked: Unión’s emphatic home victory was the most lopsided result of the Argentine football day. Playing at their Estadio 15 de Abril fortress, they dispatched Gimnasia de Mendoza with clinical finishing and solid defending, keeping their Apertura campaign on track.
8. Mirassol 1-1 Novorizontino: Late equalizer in Campeonato Paulista (Brazil)
Key facts:
- Mirassol and Novorizontino drew 1-1 in Jornada 6 of the Campeonato Paulista, though the second half was played on Monday after the match was suspended due to heavy rain on Sunday.
- Rômulo gave Novorizontino an early lead at 15′.
- Carlos Eduardo equalized for Mirassol deep in stoppage time (90’+1′).
- Novorizontino remains top of the Paulistão standings with 13 points; Mirassol sits in the top half.
- The result means Novorizontino’s perfect start ends but they maintain their lead.
Why picked: This was the only Paulistão match completed on Monday, with its second half played after a weather delay. The late equalizer by Mirassol prevented Novorizontino from extending their winning run, but the leaders still look the team to beat in São Paulo‘s state championship.
9. Chivas maintain perfect Liga MX start with 3-2 win at Atlético San Luis (Mexico — played Saturday night)
Key facts:
- Chivas de Guadalajara won 3-2 away at Atlético San Luis in Jornada 4, extending their perfect start to 4W-0L (12 points).
- Richard Ledezma opened the scoring at 30′; Daniel Aguirre (45’+2′) and Armando González (49′) also scored for Chivas.
- Joao Pedro scored twice for San Luis (35′ penalty, 46′) to briefly level the match.
- Armando González’s winner was confirmed after a lengthy VAR review for possible offside.
- Chivas lead the Liga MX Clausura 2026 outright with 12 points from four matches under manager Gabriel Milito.
Why picked: Although played on Saturday night (local time), this result shaped the Liga MX table heading into the new week.
Chivas’ 100% record is the story of the Clausura so far, with Richard Ledezma and the emerging Armando González leading a rejuvenated attack. Four wins from four represents their best start to a short tournament since 2010.
10. Argentinos Juniors 0-0 Belgrano: Stalemate in La Paternal (Argentina)
Key facts:
- Argentinos Juniors and Belgrano de Córdoba drew 0-0 at Estadio Diego Armando Maradona in Jornada 3 of the Torneo Apertura 2026.
- Both teams had chances: Alan Lescano hit the post for Argentinos; Franco “Mudo” Vázquez and Emiliano Rigoni threatened for Belgrano.
- The match lacked a finishing touch despite an entertaining midfield battle.
- Argentinos sit on 3 points (Zona B); Belgrano have 4 points (Zona A equivalent position).
Why picked: A tactical battle at the historic La Paternal stadium ended without goals but not without drama. Both teams showed promise in midfield but lacked the cutting edge in front of goal, leaving the points shared in a match that could have gone either way.