The dust has finally settled in Mexicali. If you were looking for the Caribbean Series 2025 schedule because you thought the tournament was still coming up, you’ve actually missed one of the most intense weeks of winter baseball in recent memory. It's wild how fast these winter leagues move. One minute you're tracking the LIDOM standings in December, and the next, Albert Pujols is lifting a trophy as a manager in February.
Honestly, the 2025 edition was a bit of a curveball for casual fans. It wasn't just the usual suspects from Latin America. We had Japan in the mix for the first time ever, which felt weird and brilliant all at once. The tournament ran from January 31 to February 7, 2025, at the Estadio Nido de los Águilas. If you’re checking your calendar and realized you missed the live action, don't sweat it—here is the breakdown of what actually went down and why this specific schedule was such a grind for the players.
The Brutal Week in Mexicali
Mexicali is a tough place to play. The "Nest of the Eagles" is iconic, but the stakes make it a pressure cooker. The 2025 schedule was condensed into eight days of straight-up chaos. No days off. No time to nurse a sore shoulder. You play, you travel to the hotel, you eat, and you're back at the diamond by 1:00 PM the next day.
Most people assume the Caribbean Series is a long, drawn-out affair like the MLB postseason. It’s not. It’s a sprint.
The round-robin phase started on Friday, January 31. Venezuela (Cardenales de Lara) and the Dominican Republic (Leones del Escogido) kicked things off at 1:30 PM local time. If you were watching from the East Coast, that was a mid-afternoon snack of a game. But for the fans in Mexicali, the real party started at 8:00 PM when Mexico's Charros de Jalisco took on Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayagüez.
Why the 2025 schedule felt different
The inclusion of Japan Breeze changed the rhythm. Usually, you have an even number of teams or a very predictable rotation. With five teams, the scheduling had to be tight to ensure everyone got their four opening-round games in before the semifinals on February 5.
Caribbean Series 2025 Schedule: The Day-by-Day Reality
Let’s look at how the week actually played out. It wasn't just about the games; it was about the momentum.
Friday, Jan 31: Opening Day
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- Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela) vs. Leones del Escogido (DR) – The DR took this one 2-0.
- Indios de Mayagüez (PR) vs. Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) – Mexico dominated 8-1.
Saturday, Feb 1: The Debut
- Leones del Escogido (DR) vs. Japan Breeze – Japan’s first taste of Caribbean flair ended in a 12-1 blowout by the Dominicans.
- Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) vs. Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela) – A tight 2-1 win for the hosts.
Sunday, Feb 2: The Grind Sets In
- Japan Breeze vs. Indios de Mayagüez (PR) – Puerto Rico eked out a 3-2 win.
- Leones del Escogido (DR) vs. Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) – Mexico stayed hot with a 2-0 shutout.
Monday, Feb 3: Separation Day
- Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela) vs. Indios de Mayagüez (PR) – Venezuela finally found their bats, winning 10-5.
- Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) vs. Japan Breeze – A 7-2 victory for Mexico, sealing their perfect round-robin record.
Tuesday, Feb 4: The Final Scramble
- Indios de Mayagüez (PR) vs. Leones del Escogido (DR) – A high-scoring 10-7 win for Puerto Rico.
- Japan Breeze vs. Cardenales de Lara (Venezuela) – Venezuela ended Japan's run with a 10-0 mercy-rule win in 8 innings.
The Knockout Stage: Where Careers Are Made
By Wednesday, February 5, the "regular season" was over. The top four teams moved to the semifinals. This is where the Caribbean Series 2025 schedule gets truly unforgiving. If you win your semi, you have less than 48 hours before the biggest game of your year.
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The semifinals were a tale of two very different games. The Dominican Republic had to fight through 11 innings to beat Venezuela 5-4. Think about that. These guys had already played four games in four days, and then they went into extra innings. Meanwhile, Mexico handled Puerto Rico 3-1 in a much more efficient outing.
Thursday was a "consolation" day, though tell that to the players. Puerto Rico beat Venezuela 7-4 to take third place. Most fans outside the participating islands don't care about the third-place game, but for these winter league rosters, every win affects their standing and future contracts.
The Championship: February 7, 2025
The finale was a heartbreaker for the home crowd. Mexico entered the final game at Estadio Nido de los Águilas having been nearly perfect all week. They were facing a Dominican team managed by the legend himself, Albert Pujols.
It was a pitcher's duel for the ages. Esmil Rogers, the veteran right-hander for the DR, was absolutely clinical. He threw a one-hitter. One hit! In a championship game! The Dominican Republic won 1-0, with the only run coming in the third inning after Manny Bañuelos walked the bases loaded and Robinson Canó grounded into a double play that allowed Junior Lake to score.
It wasn't flashy. It wasn't a home run derby. It was gritty, stressful baseball.
Why you should care about the 2026 schedule now
If you missed the 2025 action, you’re probably wondering when the next one is. The 2026 Caribbean Series is heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mark your calendars for late January 2026. If the 2025 schedule taught us anything, it’s that these games are better watched live than followed on a box score. The atmosphere in Mexicali was electric, but San Juan is going to be a whole different level of party.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to follow the next cycle of the Caribbean Series, keep these things in mind:
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- Watch the Winter League Finals: The Caribbean Series teams aren't "national teams" in the traditional sense; they are the champions of their respective professional leagues (LIDOM, LAMP, LBPRC, LVBP).
- ESPN Deportes & MLB Network: These are typically the homes for the English and Spanish broadcasts. Don't wait until the day of the final to find the channel.
- The Guest Factor: Keep an eye on who is invited. Japan was the 2025 guest. Curacao and Panama are often in the mix too. The schedule changes based on how many "guest" teams the Confederation invites.
- Travel Early: If you're going to the 2026 series in Puerto Rico, book your flights for the first week of February. The schedule almost always wraps up by the first Friday or Saturday of the month.
The 2025 series proved that the Dominican Republic is still the king of Caribbean baseball, but Mexico is closing the gap fast. The 1-0 final score in Mexicali is proof that in this tournament, the schedule is your biggest enemy, and a single mistake can cost you the crown.