Who is playing baseball today: Where to find live games during the off-season

It is January 18, 2026. If you walk outside in most of the US right now, you’re probably hitting a wall of cold air or staring at a frozen lawn. For most casual fans, baseball is a summer memory. But for the die-hards? The ones who need that box score fix like a morning coffee?

Baseball never actually stops.

Honestly, some of the highest-stakes baseball of the year is happening right now while the MLB stars are still at home in their pajamas. We are deep into the winter league playoffs in the Caribbean and Mexico. These aren't just exhibition games. They are loud, rowdy, and determine who moves on to the Caribbean Series in a couple of weeks.

If you're asking who is playing baseball today, you've gotta look south of the border or way, way across the ocean.

The Caribbean Winter Leagues: It's Playoff Season

The "Winter Ball" circuit is where the real intensity lives in January. Today, Sunday, January 18, we have high-stakes matchups across the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Mexico.

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Dominican Republic (LIDOM)

The LIDOM round-robin is reaching its fever pitch. The league is currently in its "Round Robin" (Serie Semifinal) stage to see who goes to the finals.

• Águilas Cibaeñas at Leones del Escogido: This is a classic Santo Domingo matchup. The Águilas have been looking strong this season with guys like Bryan De La Cruz leading the charge.
• Toros del Este at Gigantes del Cibao: Expect a 4:00 PM ET start for this one.

Watching LIDOM is basically like watching a month-long Game 7. The fans don't just sit; they dance. If you have MLB.TV, you can actually stream these games live, which is a lifesaver for those of us missing the crack of the bat.

Venezuela (LVBP)

In Venezuela, the round-robin is also the name of the game. Today's slate is particularly interesting because of the standings logjam.

• Águilas del Zulia at Cardenales de Lara: Scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. The Cardenales have been a powerhouse lately under César Izturis.
• Caribes de Anzoátegui at Bravos de Margarita: Also a 7:00 PM ET start.

Keep an eye on the news here, though. There have been some logistical hiccups in the Venezuelan league this month, but as of this morning, the games are a go.

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Mexico (LMP - Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico)

The Mexican Pacific League is currently in the Semi-Final round. This is the "win or go home" stretch.

• Algodoneros de Guasave vs. Tomateros de Culiacán: This one starts around 7:05 PM ET. Joey Meneses has been a pillar for the Tomateros, and seeing him in this environment is a totally different experience than seeing him in the majors.
• Águilas de Mexicali vs. Charros de Jalisco: A 6:00 PM ET start. Jalisco is hosting the Caribbean Series later this year, so the pressure on the Charros to represent as the home team is massive.

Australian Baseball League (ABL)

Maybe you're a night owl. Or maybe you're up at 3:00 AM because your internal clock is a mess. That's when the Australian Baseball League becomes your best friend.

The ABL is currently wrapping up its regular season. It’s summer in Australia right now, so the weather is perfect. You'll see a mix of local Aussie talent and MLB prospects from teams like the Rays and Rangers who were sent down under to get some extra reps.

• Brisbane Bandits vs. Sydney Blue Sox: Check the local Sydney times, but these usually broadcast late night/early morning for US viewers on the ABL's "Baseball+" streaming service.

Why Today’s Games Actually Matter for MLB Fans

You might think, "Why do I care who is playing baseball today if it’s not the Red Sox or Dodgers?"

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Well, look at the rosters. These leagues are full of "AAAA" players—guys who are right on the cusp of making a major league roster. You’re seeing pitchers working on new sweepers and hitters trying to prove they’ve fixed their swing.

Plus, the Caribbean Series is right around the corner (starting January 30). The teams playing today are fighting for the right to represent their entire country in that tournament. It’s basically the World Cup of club baseball.

How to Watch the Action Right Now

Don't just take my word for it. Go find a feed.

1. MLB.TV: If you have a subscription, check the "International" or "Winter Leagues" tab. They usually carry LIDOM and LMP games.
2. LMP YouTube Channel: The Mexican league is surprisingly good about putting content—and sometimes full games—on their official YouTube channel.
3. BeisbolPlay: This is the go-to for Venezuelan (LVBP) games, though it usually requires a separate subscription.

Basically, if you're looking for a game, the best thing you can do right now is fire up MLB.TV and look at the "Winter Leagues" schedule. Most of these Caribbean games start between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM ET today. If you've never watched a game in Santiago or Culiacán, the atmosphere alone is worth the click. It's loud, it's fast, and it's the only way to survive until Spring Training.

Keep an eye on the LIDOM standings especially; the race for those final two spots is coming down to the wire this weekend.

Actionable Next Steps:
Check your MLB.TV app under the "Winter Leagues" section to see the exact start times for the Águilas vs. Escogido game. If you don't have a sub, head over to the Liga ARCO YouTube channel to catch the highlights from last night's Mexican semi-finals before today's 6:00 PM first pitch.