Historic Showdown: Dodgers vs Cubs in the 2025 Tokyo Series Opener
The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the electric atmosphere of baseball are set to take over Tokyo as the 2025 MLB season kicks off in spectacular fashion. The defending World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, will face the Chicago Cubs in what promises to be more than just another season opener – it’s a cultural phenomenon that bridges two baseball-loving nations.
A Dawn Breaking Over Two Continents
When the first pitch is thrown at 6:10 AM ET (5:10 CT/3:10 PT) on Tuesday, March 18, baseball fans across the globe will witness history. This isn’t merely the beginning of another MLB season; it’s a celebration of baseball’s international appeal and the growing Japanese influence in America’s favorite pastime.
The Tokyo Dome will serve as an extraordinary backdrop for this East-meets-West spectacle, broadcast nationally on FOX and available on regional networks including Marquee Sports Network and SportsNet L.A. Radio listeners can tune in to 670 AM The Score and WRTO 1200 AM for Chicago coverage, or Dodgers Radio AM 570 and KTNQ 1020 AM for Los Angeles commentary.
A Historic Pitching Matchup
For the first time in MLB opening day history, two Japanese starting pitchers will face off against each other. The Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound against the Cubs’ Shota Imanaga in a duel that transcends sports and embraces cultural significance.
Yamamoto, coming off an impressive rookie campaign (7-2, 3.00 ERA in 90 innings) and playoff success, expressed genuine excitement about this rare opportunity to pitch in his homeland. “To start the season in Tokyo against another Japanese pitcher is something I never imagined when I signed with the Dodgers,” he might say, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Across the diamond, Imanaga brings his own impressive credentials. After a stellar 2024 season (15-3, 2.91 ERA in 173⅓ innings) that included a National League All-Star selection and considerations for both Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards, the left-hander returns to familiar territory. Japanese fans remember him fondly from his Yokohama days and his contributions to Japan’s gold medal team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
The Ohtani Factor
If there’s one name that electrifies Japanese baseball fans more than any other, it’s Shohei Ohtani. His return to Japan wearing Dodger blue represents a homecoming fit for royalty. More than just an athlete, Ohtani is a cultural icon and national hero whose presence transcends the diamond.
The economic impact of Ohtani’s stardom is staggering. MLB merchandise sales have skyrocketed in Japan, with Dodgers sponsorship deals reaching unprecedented heights. Last season, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported a 50% increase in viewership for Ohtani’s games. Perhaps most telling, a significant percentage of Japanese tourists visiting Los Angeles cited attending a Dodgers game as their primary motivation.
Tickets for the Tokyo Series have become prized possessions, with prices soaring to reflect the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Ohtani perform on home soil. Though some Japanese fans have expressed fatigue with the relentless media coverage, the overwhelming sentiment remains one of pride and excitement.
Championship Aspirations Collide
The Dodgers enter 2025 as defending champions, looking to build on their recent success. Despite the absence of star outfielder Mookie Betts, who’ll miss both Tokyo games due to illness, their lineup remains formidable. Ohtani will serve as designated hitter, joined by Tommy Edman (2B), Freddie Freeman (1B), Teoscar Hernández (RF), Will Smith (C), Kiké Hernández (LF), Max Muncy (3B), Miguel Rojas (SS), and Andy Pages (CF).
Manager Dave Roberts has indicated all pitchers should be available following exhibition games that employed a tandem system. The addition of reliever Tanner Scott, expected to handle most save opportunities this season, further strengthens an already impressive bullpen.
The Cubs, meanwhile, have unfinished business. Despite notching 83 wins in each of the past two seasons, they’ve fallen short of playoff qualification – a trend they’re determined to reverse. Manager Craig Counsell views this opener against the world champions as the perfect challenge to begin their campaign.
“There’s no better way to set the tone than facing the best right out of the gate,” Counsell might say. “When you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.”
With second baseman Nico Hoerner recovering from elbow surgery and unable to make the trip, the Cubs will field Ian Happ (LF), Seiya Suzuki (DH), Kyle Tucker (RF), Michael Busch (1B), Matt Shaw (3B), Dansby Swanson (SS), Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Miguel Amaya (C), and Jon Berti (2B).
Japanese Baseball Heritage
This Tokyo Series adds another chapter to MLB’s international history. For the Cubs, it marks their second season-opening stint in Japan; they split a two-game series with the Mets at the Tokyo Dome in 2000. Previously, only three Japanese pitchers had participated in MLB games at the Tokyo Dome – a number that will double with Yamamoto, Imanaga, and the anticipated appearance of Roki Sasaki in the second game.
Players to Watch
Beyond the headline-grabbing stars, several players enter the series with momentum. Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and catcher Miguel Amaya built on strong second-half performances from last season with impressive Cactus League outings. Ian Happ and Michael Busch likewise showed promising form.
For the Dodgers, while several batters struggled during spring training, Michael Conforto found his groove late in the exhibition schedule. As veterans know, spring results rarely predict regular season performance, but confidence at the plate is always welcome.
Cultural Bridge
As Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki watched Ohtani and Yamamoto celebrate their championship with the Dodgers last year, it kindled his own aspirations. “Seeing them celebrate made me hungry,” he might reflect. “I want Chicago to experience that same joy.”
When the umpire calls “Play ball!” on March 18, it won’t just initiate another baseball season – it will celebrate the global language of baseball, spoken fluently in both English and Japanese, uniting fans across oceans in their love for America’s pastime, now truly the world’s game.
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