Game 2 of the Taiwan Series between the Wei Chuan Dragons and CTBC Brothers at the Taipei Dome featured another pitchers’ duel. Félix Peña started for the Brothers, while CC Mercedes got the ball for the Dragons. Mercedes finished third in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in ERA at 1.79 and looked to help the Dragons take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Through the first four innings, Peña and Mercedes had allowed two hits apiece, and no baserunner had reached third base. In the fifth, the Brothers finally broke through offensively. After back-to-back hits put runners on second and third with one out, Jen-Wei Chang drove in a run with a groundout to give the Brothers a 1-0 lead. It was their first run of the series.

The Dragons responded in the bottom of the inning. After two singles put runners on first and second with one out, Shen-An Zeng stepped to the plate for Wei Chuan. He crushed a 3-1 pitch 418 feet over the right-field fence for a three-run homer that gave the Dragons a 3-1 lead. It was the first home run of the series.

The Brothers were unable to solve the Dragons’ starting pitching for a second straight night. Mercedes went six innings, allowing five hits and one run while striking out three. Through the first two games, Dragons starters have combined to pitch 14 innings, allowing just seven hits and one run.

The Dragons took a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning, with closer Kai-Wei Lin on the mound looking for his second save in as many nights. Lin retired the side in order, recording outs against all three outfielders to secure the 3-1 victory and give the Dragons a 2-0 series lead.

After a day off Monday, the teams will return to the Taipei Dome on Tuesday night, with the Brothers looking to get back into the series.

History is not on the Brothers’ side. In 21 previous instances in which a team fell behind 2-0 in the series, only two teams came back to win. The most recent comeback came 10 years ago, when the EDA Rhinos rallied against the CTBC Brothers.

The key question entering the series was whether the CPBL’s best offense could overcome the league’s best pitching staff. Through two games, the answer has been a resounding no.

The Dragons’ starting pitchers have posted a 0.64 ERA through two games, while the bullpen has also been rock-solid. In four innings, Wei Chuan’s relievers have allowed one hit and no runs.

The Brothers are 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, while the Dragons are 2-for-6. Zeng’s three-run homer has been the difference. An offense that averaged five runs per game in the second half of the season has scored just one run through two games.

In a pivotal Game 3, Nivaldo Rodríguez will start for the Brothers. He posted a 3.33 ERA over 154 innings during the regular season and allowed three runs in six innings in his lone start against the Lions in the previous round.

Andrew Gagnon will take the mound for the Dragons. He ranked fifth in the CPBL with a 2.31 ERA and recorded 111 strikeouts in 140 1/3 innings. Gagnon will look to help the Dragons take a 3-0 series lead and move within one win of a CPBL championship.

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CPBL announces 2026 Best 9 selections

The CPBL has announced its Best 9 team and best designated hitter for the 2026 season. The league will announce its remaining awards Nov. 2.

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2026 Best 9 selections

  • Pitcher: John Gant, Wei Chuan Dragons

  • Catcher: Chung-Yu Chen, Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions

  • Designated hitter: Steven Moya, TSG Hawks

  • First baseman: Kuo-Chen Fan, Fubon Guardians

  • Second baseman: Ze-Bin Lin, Fubon Guardians

  • Shortstop: Cheng-Yu Chang, Wei Chuan Dragons

  • Third baseman: Chieh-Kai Pan, Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions

  • Outfielder: Chieh-Hsien Chen, Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions

  • Outfielder: Chen-Wei Chen, Rakuten Monkeys

  • Outfielder: Tian-Shin Kuo, Wei Chuan Dragons