A Preview To The 2025 MLB Tokyo Series
A Look at the 2025 Opening Series between the Dodgers & Cubs
The 2025 MLB regular season is here! As the Los Angeles Dodgers & the Chicago Cubs are about to kickoff the new season with a two-game series in Japan, let’s preview the 2025 Tokyo Series!
2025 Tokyo Series Overview
What is the Tokyo Series?
The 2025 Tokyo Series will be a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers & the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan. The venue for both games will be the Tokyo Dome, which is home to the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.
MLB’s International Efforts
Last year, MLB hosted 4 international series, with the Astros and Rockies facing off in Mexico City, the Phillies and Mets facing off in London, the Red Sox and Rays facing off in Santo Domingo, & the Dodgers and Padres kicking the season off in Seoul, South Korea. Now, it’s time for the Dodgers and Cubs to kick off the season in Tokyo as apart of MLB’s effort to spread the game across the globe.
Japanese Players Playing At Home
One of the main reasons that Major League Baseball selected the Cubs & Dodgers to put on a show in Japan is because of their multiple Japanese players on the teams. As a result, let’s take a look at the superstars from Japan on these two National League clubs.
Shohei Ohtani | LAD
By now, everyone knows Shohei Ohtani— the superstar 2-way sensation who has become the face of both Major League Baseball and the nation of Japan. Born in Oshu, Japan, Ohtani started his career with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the NPB before signing with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto | LAD
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who had a great rookie year for the Dodgers last season after coming over from the Orix Buffaloes, has the potential to be a top pitcher in the league. Born in Bizen, Japan, Yamamoto is set to be the Dodgers’ Opening Day starter in Game 1 of the Tokyo Series.
Roki Sasaki | LAD
The Dodgers’ newest Japanese star, Roki Sasaki was signed this offseason after being posted by his former NPB team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. Sasaki, who was born in Rikuzentakata, Japan is only 23 years old and has the potential to be the top pitcher in Major League Baseball over the next few years.
Shōta Imanaga | CHC
Shōta Imanaga, who had an amazing rookie year last year is also going to start Game 1 of the Tokyo Series, as the Cubs’ Opening Day starter. Born in Kitakyushu, Japan, Imanaga previously pitched for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of NPB until being signed by the Cubs in 2024.
Seiya Suzuki | CHC
Suzuki, who has been with the Cubs since being signed in 2022, has become a fan-favorite in the Northside of Chicago. The Arakawa, Japan native previously played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the NPB until he was signed as an international free agent by the Cubs 3 years ago.
A Look at the Lineups
With both teams already announcing their starting pitchers, we can get a pretty good idea of the starting lineups for the 2 games in Japan, so let’s take a look.
Game 1: Mar. 18 | 6:10 A.M. EST | 7:10 P.M. Local Time
Los Angeles Dodgers
SP: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (S.T.: 1-0, 4.15 ERA)
DH Shohei Ohtani
2B Tommy Edman
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Teoscar Hernandez
3B Max Muncy
C Will Smith
LF Michael Conforto
SS Miguel Rojas
CF Andy Pages
Chicago Cubs
SP: LHP Shōta Imanaga (S.T.: 1-0, 5.73 ERA)
LF Ian Happ
RF Kyle Tucker
DH Seiya Suzuki
1B Michael Busch
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Matt Shaw (MLB Debut)
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
C Miguel Amaya
2B Jon Berti
Dodgers Players During an Exhibition Game in Tokyo (Image Credit: Getty Images/Masterpress)
Game 2: Mar. 19 | 6:00 A.M. EST | 7:00 P.M. Local Time
Los Angeles Dodgers
SP: RHP Roki Sasaki (S.T.: 1-0, 0.00 ERA)
DH Shohei Ohtani
2B Tommy Edman
1B Freddie Freeman
RF Teoscar Hernandez
3B Max Muncy
C Will Smith
LF Chris Taylor
SS Miguel Rojas
CF Andy Pages
Chicago Cubs
SP: LHP Justin Steele (S.T.: 1-1, 9.35 ERA)
LF Ian Happ
RF Kyle Tucker
DH Seiya Suzuki
1B Michael Busch
SS Dansby Swanson
3B Matt Shaw
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
C Miguel Amaya
2B Jon Berti
The Cubs during an exhibition game in Tokyo (Image Credit: Getty Images/Mary DeCicco)
Injury Updates
SS Mookie Betts | LAD
Mookie Betts, who had previously been questionable with a sickness has officially been ruled out for both games in Tokyo with the flu. Reports have said that Betts has lost around 15 pounds during this time. This is very disappointing for the Dodgers as Betts is one of their top players.
2B Nico Hoerner | CHC
Earlier this week the Cubs announced that Gold Glove 2B Nico Hoerner would not travel to Japan with the club as he is still recovering from a flexor tendon surgery he had during the offseason. It is unclear if Nico will be ready for the Cubs’ regular season opener on March 27th in Arizona.
