TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The World Baseball Classic Qualifiers (WBCQ) will kick off at the Taipei Dome (台北大巨蛋) on Friday (Feb. 21) with Taiwan facing Spain. The Taiwanese team has chosen Chen Hung-yu (陳宇宏), a sidearm pitcher from the TSG Hawks (台鋼雄鷹), to start the game. Chen, who was not initially on the 36-player roster, impressed during the Taiwan-Korea exchange games and secured his spot on the final 28-player lineup.
Spain's team was perceived as weaker in the past, but this year, its roster includes players from various countries, with only a few born in Spain. Elian Leyva, Spain's starting pitcher, played for the Rakuten Monkeys (樂天桃猿隊) in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL, 中華職棒) in 2023, where he recorded a 4-3 win-loss record and a 3.88 ERA over 12 games. Taiwan's head coach, Tseng Hao-chu (曾豪駒), noted that domestic players are familiar with Leyva and will simulate strategies to counter his pitching style.
The qualifiers will start with South Africa facing Nicaragua at noon, followed by Taiwan's match against Spain at 7 p.m. Team captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) emphasized the importance of the first game, expressing hope for a strong performance and victory. As the tournament unfolds, Taiwan's strategy and player adaptability will be crucial in advancing through the qualifiers.
