Cubs, Dodgers Set for Historic Opening Day in Tokyo

The Chicago Cubs have officially named Shota Imanaga as their starting pitcher for the Tokyo Series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on March 18, marking a historic first as two Japanese-born pitchers face off on Opening Day in Japan. Imanaga expressed his honor at being chosen and acknowledged the contributions of past Japanese players who paved the way for current talents. The Dodgers will start Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a significant contract in December and had a strong rookie season despite facing injuries. This matchup not only highlights the growing presence of Japanese players in MLB but also serves as a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of baseball players in Japan. The series follows the Dodgers' previous international opening against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, and it will be the Dodgers' first game at the Tokyo Dome. Cubs President Jed Hoyer emphasized the global interest this historic encounter is likely to generate for the sport.