Tigres Del Licey vs Leones Del Escogido Prediction 18 October 2026
📡 The capital city derby between Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido headlines the third day of action in the Dominican championship. Just two days ago, Licey routed their archrivals with a commanding 12-2 victory, only to suffer a heavy defeat themselves in the following game. Leones are still searching for their first win, having conceded 20 runs across their opening two matchups. Adding another layer of intrigue, veteran Colombian pitcher José Quintana is set to make his debut on the mound for the home side. Any prediction for this matchup largely hinges on whether either team can regain stability in their pitching staff.
Licey and Escogido have scored at least ten runs in five of their last ten head-to-head matchups.
📊 In their last ten head-to-head meetings, both teams have claimed five wins each. Remarkably, five of those games saw at least ten runs scored, including a pair of blowout results. Earlier this season, Licey cruised to a 12-2 victory, while back in December, Leones dismantled their rivals from the capital with a commanding 15-1 win. Another December clash saw Tigres edge out a 6-5 triumph, and in November, Escogido recorded a 10-5 success. These numbers highlight how this fierce city derby often turns into a high-scoring affair, with pitching errors frequently contributing to the fireworks.
Head-to-head statistics Tigres Del Licey - Leones Del Escogido

Tigres suffered a heavy defeat following their high-scoring start to the season.
Licey opened the championship with a dominant 12-2 victory, racking up 18 hits, but stumbled in their second outing, falling 1-7. Their offense was limited to just four hits, while their pitchers allowed three home runs. Despite the setback, the hosts have tallied 13 runs across two games, underscoring their potential to produce offensively. Jesus Made launched a home run in the opener, while Kevin Alcantara and Francisco Mejia also made notable contributions at the plate. The main priority now is to regain their effectiveness at bat after a disappointing second game. Facing their archrival once again adds extra motivation for the squad.
Match Results: Tigres Del Licey

Leones have conceded 20 runs over two games and are still searching for their first win.
The reigning champions from the Dominican Republic have opened their title defense with back-to-back defeats. After a heavy 2-12 loss, the team traveled to San Pedro de Macorís, only to fall again, this time 3-8. Across those two games, Leones managed just five runs on ten hits, while their pitching staff surrendered 20 runs. The second outing proved especially tough for starting pitcher Radamés Liz, while the defense committed three errors. On the bright side, Vidal Bruján homered in the ninth inning. The roster still features Junior Lake, José Marmolejos, and Franchy Cordero-players who can spark the offense. However, the champions have yet to find the right balance between their bats and their pitching staff.
Match Results: Leones Del Escogido
Prediction on the over/under
- Over 8.5 runs scored in 6 of last 7 Leones Del Escogido games (LIDOM).
- Over 8.5 runs scored in last 5 Leones Del Escogido games.
⚾ Starting Pitchers
Tigres have named Colombian southpaw José Quintana as their starter, a veteran with 15 MLB seasons under his belt. In 2026, Quintana made 11 starts for Colorado, posting a 2-3 record with a 5.44 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Over 48 innings, he struck out 25 batters but surrendered 52 hits. While his experience remains a significant asset, last season’s numbers suggest he struggled to limit baserunners and hard contact.
Leones will counter with Dominican right-hander Victor Santos. During the 2026 campaign in the St. Louis system, Santos appeared in 17 games across various minor league levels, working exclusively as a reliever and recording a 2.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 23 innings. Notably, in the 2024/25 Dominican League season, Santos made five starts, impressing with a 1.54 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP. After missing the previous year due to injury, the key question remains whether he is ready for an extended outing.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
Licey and Escogido head into another derby off the back of disappointing performances, but both clubs boast enough veteran hitters to significantly boost their offensive output. Quintana is capable of providing the hosts with solid early innings, though his 2026 MLB numbers raise questions about his consistency. Santos has posted impressive stats in previous outings in the Dominican league, but transitioning from short relief appearances to a full start could present additional challenges. A key factor remains the form of the Leones’ bullpen, who have struggled to contain opposing offenses across their last two games. The head-to-head history features several matchups with double-digit total runs, and with both teams eager to correct early-season mistakes, an aggressive approach at the plate looks likely. The best option here appears to be the over 9.5 total runs.