CPBL playoff opener draws sellout crowd as Chen Yung-ki breaks age record

The CPBL Postseason Challenge Series ignited today at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, featuring the CTBC Brothers, who finished second in the league in annual winning percentage, facing off against the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions. Not only is this game a crucial opening battle for a ticket to the Taiwan Series, but it also delivered strong box office results even before the opening pitch. Advance ticket sales combined with on-site ticket statistics confirmed a sellout crowd of 20,000 fans, demonstrating the high popularity and enthusiastic atmosphere of Taiwan's professional baseball postseason. After a long and fierce regular season, the two teams reignited their rivalry in the crisp October air, drawing the attention of countless baseball fans across Taiwan to this top-tier showdown in central Taiwan.

In this highly anticipated postseason matchup, the dual focus on veterans and rising stars within the Uni-President Lions lineup has become a hot topic among fans and media alike. Among them, veteran infielder Chen Yung-chi once again started in today's game, not only showcasing his irreplaceable value to the team on both offense and defense, but also further extending his historical record as the oldest position player to appear in the CPBL Postseason Challenge Series. Over the years, Chen Yung-chi has accumulated a wealth of experience in international tournaments and domestic professional baseball. His composed playing style and clutch hitting ability have consistently made him an indispensable spiritual leader for the Uni-President Lions, with every swing and defensive play he makes writing a new page in the history of the CPBL postseason.

In addition to Chen Yung-chi's age record commanding widespread respect, Uni-President Lions Captain Chen Chieh-hsien is also facing a major milestone challenge in his career during this series. As the team's offensive catalyst and spiritual benchmark, Chen Chieh-hsien is poised to challenge the league postseason hit-related records previously held by former teammate Kao Kuo-ching in this Challenge Series. Chen Chieh-hsien displayed excellent batting touch and game-reading ability during the regular season, and he has now carried that momentum into this short series. If he successfully records hits and accumulates statistics, it will not only substantially help the Uni-President Lions gain the upper hand in the series, but also add another glorious chapter to his own illustrious history in the CPBL postseason.

Reviewing the matchups between the CTBC Brothers and the Uni-President Lions this season, both traditional powerhouse teams secured wins against each other during the regular season. Their closely contested battles and the tension of their head-to-head encounters have laid the groundwork for this postseason. The CTBC Brothers enter the contest with home-field advantage and a complete pitching and batting lineup, while the Uni-President Lions have demonstrated formidable resilience through pre-series adjustments and the integration of veterans, prime-age players, and youngsters. The Postseason Challenge Series adopts a best-of-three format. For the team that holds the initial advantage or the challenger striving to catch up, every game's roster management and tactical execution will influence the ultimate outcome, with the sellout crowd at the Intercontinental Stadium serving as the strongest backing for the players on the field.

From the perspective of the overall development of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, the high-intensity showdown and sellout box office of the Postseason Challenge Series once again prove the deep-rooted foundation of professional baseball in Taiwanese society and the passion of its fans. Veteran Chen Yung-chi setting records with his wealth of experience, and mid-career star Chen Chieh-hsien continually challenging the benchmarks set by legendary predecessors—the fighting figures of these players on the field are not only badges of honor for their professional careers, but also intertwine to form an important chapter in the history of Taiwanese baseball. As the series gets underway, beyond wins and losses, the fighting spirit and significance of legacy displayed by the players remain the core values that move fans the most.