So, it’s mid-January. If you’re like most casual fans, you probably think baseball is hibernating. You’re looking at empty MLB stadiums covered in frost and counting the days until pitchers and catchers report to Florida and Arizona next month.
Honestly? You're missing the best part of the year.
While the big-league stars are mostly hitting the gym or posting vacation photos, the winter leagues are currently on fire. We’re talking high-stakes playoffs, "win or go home" scenarios, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a standard July game in Cincinnati look like a library. If you want to know what baseball games are played today, January 18, 2026, you need to look south—and way across the Pacific.
The LMP Semi-Finals: Mexico is Rocking
The Mexican Pacific League (LMP) is deep into its semi-final matchups today, and the energy is basically unmatched. These teams aren't just playing for a trophy; they’re playing for the right to represent Mexico in the Caribbean Series next month in Jalisco.
Here is what is on the docket for today:
📖 Related: What Channel is the Longhorn Game on Today: How to Watch Texas Sports
- Algodoneros de Guasave vs. Tomateros de Culiacán (7:05 PM ET): This is a classic rivalry. Culiacán is a juggernaut, but Guasave has been the gritty underdog all year. Expect a lot of bunting, aggressive baserunning, and a crowd that doesn't stop screaming for nine innings.
- Águilas de Mexicali vs. Charros de Jalisco (6:00 PM ET): Mexicali is trying to hold off a high-powered Jalisco offense. If you’ve never seen a game in Jalisco, the ball carries like crazy there.
You can usually catch these on MLB.TV if you have the off-season package, or via the LMP’s own streaming services. It’s worth the few bucks just to see the bat flips. They don't have the same unwritten rules down there—thank god.
LIDOM: The Round Robin Slog in the Dominican
In the Dominican Republic (LIDOM), they do things a bit differently. They play a "Round Robin" format to decide who goes to the finals. It’s a marathon. Every single run matters because the standings are always razor-thin.
Today’s matchups are crucial for the teams hovering around that second-place cutoff:
- Gigantes del Cibao vs. Águilas Cibaeñas: The "Battle of the Cibao." This is the Yankees-Sox of the DR. If the Águilas are playing at home in Santiago, expect "El Valle de la Muerte" (The Valley of Death) to live up to its name.
- Leones del Escogido vs. Toros del Este: Escogido has been leaning heavily on some young MLB prospects trying to get their service time and reps in.
The Australian Baseball League Finale
If you’re an early riser (or a night owl), the Australian Baseball League (ABL) is actually wrapping up its regular season today, January 18.
The Adelaide Giants are taking on the Perth Heat at 2:30 PM local time (which is late tonight/early tomorrow for US viewers). This is the "Season Finale" for the ABL regular season. It’s a shorter season than we’re used to, but the quality has jumped significantly lately. You’ll see plenty of minor league guys from the Phillies and Rays organizations down there getting work.
Puerto Rico: The "Copa de Campeones"
Over in Puerto Rico, the LBPRC is in a weird transitional spot today. While the main league is prepping for its final push, the Copa de Campeones (a preseason/exhibition tournament for the Double-A league) has games scheduled for today.
The main attraction, however, is the Cangrejeros de Santurce vs. Leones de Ponce at 6:00 PM ET. These are two of the most storied franchises in Caribbean history. Roberto Clemente played for Santurce. Think about that for a second. The history is heavy every time they take the field.
Why You Should Care About These Games
Look, I get it. You want to see the 100-mph heaters and the $300 million contracts. But winter ball is where the soul of the game lives.
The fans are louder. The players are more emotional. There’s a "Caribbean Series" berth on the line, which, for many of these guys, is more important than a mid-season MLB series. You’ll see guys like Joey Meneses or Willie Calhoun grinding it out in the dirt because they love the game—and because their hometown fans will never let them forget it if they lose.
How to Watch Today
If you’re looking to actually watch these baseball games played today, you’ve got a few options.
- MLB.TV: They usually carry the LMP and LIDOM games.
- YouTube: Many of the Latin leagues have official channels that stream games for a small monthly "membership" fee.
- ABL.tv: For the Australian games, they have their own dedicated streaming platform.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you want to dive in, start with the Mexicali vs. Jalisco game at 6:00 PM ET. It’s the easiest point of entry for a US-based fan. Download the "LMP" app on your phone to track the live box scores, or just follow the #WinterBall hashtag on X (Twitter). You'll find a community of die-hards who can explain the playoff tie-breaker rules, which, honestly, get a little confusing sometimes.
Check the weather in Culiacán—it’s 80 degrees and perfect for baseball. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here in a hoodie.