Taiwan, known as Chinese Taipei in international competition, will take the field in game 7 of the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Taipei, hoping to avoid missing the World Baseball Classic for the first time ever. They have not missed a World Cup-style event since the 2005 Baseball World Cup. They’ll take on Spain at 6 am ET, with the winner advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The two sides met on day 1, with Spain coming away with a resounding 12-5 win to stun the home crowd.
Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang will toe the rubber for the hosts in a pressure-filled do-or-die game. It is his first official game for his home country since the U23 World Cup 4 years ago. He posted a 2.09 ERA and 84 strikeouts over 86 innings pitched across three levels, including a 2.05 ERA for Double-A Midland in the Athletics’ organization. He’ll look to contain an offense that has scored 9+ runs multiple times in the tournament.
Offensively, they’re led by SS Yu Chang. He has a 1.236 OPS in the tournament and homered against Spain, and he will look to deliver at least one more magical moment in his home country.
Ramón Rosso will get the start for Spain. They’re looking to reach the World Baseball Classic for the first time since 2013. Rosso pitched in Spain’s 12-5 win over Taiwan, going 3 1/3 IP with seven strikeouts in a dominating performance. He’ll look to lift Spain to the 2026 WBC and avoid a repeat of the 2023 qualifiers, where Spain lost the final game to Czechia and fell short of qualifying.
Carlos Colmenarez has had a breakout tournament for Spain. He has posted a 1.238 OPS, a home run, and sparkling defense at second base.
The Taipei Dome will be rocking in this showdown between the defending Premier12 champions and European Champions with a WBC berth on the line at 6 am ET on WorldBaseballClassic.com and can be watched on the World Baseball Classic YouTube page.
