2024 Taiwan Series G1: Brothers 10 – Uni-Lions 4

On October 19, the CTBC Brothers won Game 1 of the 2024 Taiwan Series in front of 40,000 fans at the Taipei Dome and took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game 1 was sold out to its full capacity and attracted 40,000 fans, setting the new CPBL postseason single-game attendance record. Games 4, 5, 6 and 7 are also sold out.

Game 1 Recap

The Uni-Lions wasted no time capitalising on opportunities, quickly loading the bases with two singles and a fielding error. They struck first when Chen Yung-Chi was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing in a run. The Uni-Lions then added two more runs in the first inning, thanks to a fielder’s choice and an RBI single from Hu Chin-Lung, making it 3-0.

With early run support, Uni-Lions ace Gu Lin Ruei-Yang cruised through the first three innings without any trouble. Unfortunately, Gu Lin was pulled in the bottom of the fourth inning due to tightness in his lower back. The 24-year-old hard-thrower finished his outing with three scoreless innings, three strikeouts, and 54 pitches.

After Gu Lin Ruei-Yang exited the game, that’s when things started to unravel for the Uni-Lions. Their bullpen struggled tremendously, with all six of their relievers giving up at least one run to the CTBC Brothers.

The Brothers scored one run in both the fourth and fifth innings, narrowing the gap to 3-2. Then, in the bottom of the sixth, they went thermal nuclear on the Uni-Lions bullpen and scored seven runs on five hits and four walks. Catcher Kao Yu-Chieh tied the game at 3-3 with an RBI double, and the Brothers continued piling on, ending the inning with a commanding 9-3 lead.

Despite the rough start, Brothers’ starter José De Paula settled down, ultimately going seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out five.

The Uni-Lions eventually added a meaningless run in the top of the eighth to make it 9-4, but the Brothers immediately responded in the bottom half with a mammoth solo home run by Tseng Song-En, extending the lead to 10-4.

In the ninth inning, the Brothers’ reliever, Wu Chun-Wei, took the mound. Despite giving up a hit and a walk, he secured the final three outs and locked down the crucial Game 1 victory for the CTBC Brothers.

Why is Game 1 so important? According to historical CPBL data, since 1990, the team that wins Game 1 of the Taiwan Series has an 87% probability of winning the Taiwan Series Championship.

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here