The return of the World Baseball Classic after a six-year absence will get plenty of hype this spring, but fans don't have to wait until it begins next month to watch competitive baseball.
Days before pitchers and catchers report to MLB spring training, the Caribbean Series is underway in Venezuela. The 65th edition of the beloved competition features eight teams representing winter leagues around Latin America, two more than last year's event in the Dominican Republic.
Colombia will try to defend its crown after upsetting the host Dominicans in the final, but this year's home team will be motivated to come through for what are sure to be raucous crowds in Caracas and La Guaira.
In addition to the teams from those three winter leagues and standbys Mexico, Panama and Puerto Rico, this year's event sees Cuba return to the competition and will also include a team from Curaçao.
MORE: Watch the 2023 Caribbean Series live on ESPN+
The Sporting News runs down the teams, TV and streaming options, schedule and scores for the 2023 Serie del Caribe:
Caribbean Series 2023 teams
The champions of eight winter leagues from across Latin America will face each other in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals.
This year's participants are:
- Colombia: Vaqueros de Monteria
- Cuba: Agricultores
- Curaçao: WildCats KJ74
- Dominican Republic: Tigres del Licey
- Mexico: Cañeros de Los Mochis
- Panama: Federales de Chiriqui
- Puerto Rico: Indios de Mayaguez
- Venezuela: Leones del Caracas
Among the notable players participating this year are Robinson Cano (Dominican Republic), Wilson Ramos (Venezuela), Jonathan Schoop (Curaçao) and Andrelton Simmons (Curaçao).
OPTIMISTIC 2023 MLB PREDICTIONS: American League | National League
Caribbean Series 2023 channel and streaming
- TV channel: ESPN Deportes
- Live stream: ESPN+
Select Caribbean Series games will be broadcast in the United States on ESPN Deportes. All games will be streamed via ESPN+.
Caribbean Series 2023 standings
| Team | W-L |
|---|---|
| Venezuela* | 6-2 |
| Dominican Republic* | 5-3 |
| Mexico | 5-3 |
| Colombia | 4-4 |
| Puerto Rico | 4-3 |
| Panama | 3-4 |
| Curaçao | 2-5 |
| Cuba | 1-6 |
* - clinched final berth
MORE: 2023 World Baseball Classic: 10 pitcher-hitter matchups we can't wait to see
Caribbean Series 2023 schedule, results
Thursday, Feb. 2
| Results |
|---|
| Cuba 3, Curaçao 1 (10 inn.) |
| Mexico 5, Dominican Republic 4 |
| Colombia 7, Puerto Rico 1 |
| Venezuela 5, Panama 2 |
Friday, Feb. 3
| Results |
|---|
| Panama 6, Colombia 5 |
| Dominican Republic 3, Cuba 1 |
| Curaçao 2, Mexico 1 |
| Puerto Rico 6, Venezuela 1 |
Saturday, Feb. 4
| Results |
|---|
| Curaçao 1, Panama 0 |
| Dominican Republic 6, Puerto Rico 4 |
| Mexico 7, Colombia 6 |
| Venezuela 20, Cuba 3 |
Sunday, Feb. 5
| Results |
|---|
| Colombia 6, Curaçao 5 (13 inn.) |
| Mexico 6, Cuba 5 |
| Panama 3, Puerto Rico 2 |
| Dominican Republic 3, Venezuela 2 (12 inn.) |
Monday, Feb. 6
| Results |
|---|
| Colombia 5, Cuba 4 |
| Dominican Republic 10, Panama 1 |
| Puerto Rico 3, Curaçao 1 |
| Mexico 7, Venezuela 0 |
Tuesday, Feb. 7
| Results |
|---|
| Puerto Rico 4, Cuba 3 |
| Mexico 2, Panama 1 |
| Colombia 11, Dominican Republic 1 |
| Venezuela 8, Curaçao 6 |
Wednesday, Feb. 8
| Results |
|---|
| Panama 10, Cuba 4 |
| Dominican Republic 6, Curaçao 2 |
| Puerto Rico 9, Mexico 3 |
| Venezuela 7, Colombia 4 |
Thursday, Feb. 9
| Results |
|---|
| Dominican Republic 8, Mexico 3 |
| Venezuela 7, Colombia 5 |
Friday, Feb. 10
| Results |
|---|
| Third place: Mexico 1, Colombia 0 |
| Championship: Dominican Republic 3, Venezuela 0 |