The Diablos Rojos of Mexico face the Puebla Pericos in the LMB Zone Series after suffering their third consecutive defeat on Saturday. To stay alive in the playoffs, the scarlet team needs a historic 0-3 comeback.

The series context

The Zone Series pits Mexico against a rival that practically has the series in its hands. The Puebla team has already won the first three games, including two in extra innings, making the task extraordinarily difficult.

Five teams have achieved the feat

In LMB history, only five teams have lifted a 0-3 series. The first were the Charros de Jalisco in 1971, under the direction of Benjamín "Cananea" Reyes, who lost the first two games in Guadalajara and the third in Saltillo before winning four consecutive games and claiming the championship.

In 2005, the Leones de Yucatán rallied against the Olmecas de Tabasco, losing two home games and one as visitors, then winning the next four games to advance to the Championship Series.

In 2021, the Toros de Tijuana achieved the second 0-3 comeback in a Championship Series, after losing the first two home games and the third on the peninsula, before winning four consecutive games and securing their second championship.

In 2023, the Águila de Veracruz wrote a special chapter again by rallying the First Playoff of the Southern Zone against the Puebla Pericos, losing the first three games, two of them in extra innings, and responding with four consecutive victories.

The Diablos’ own feat

The most recent precedent is the Diablos Rojos of Mexico, who in 2024 rallied from a 0-3 against the Guerreros de Oaxaca in the Southern Zone Championship Series. The scarlet team won four straight games to complete one of the most spectacular comebacks in recent LMB history.

The current challenge

Two years later, Mexico finds itself in a critical situation again. With the series practically in Puebla’s hands, history reminds us that a 0-3 does not necessarily mean the end, but the mission remains one of the greatest challenges in the sport.

Next step

The next game will be decisive: if the Diablos win the next four games, they can stay alive in the playoffs and continue the tradition of historic comebacks in the LMB.