Dodgers, Cubs Open 2025 MLB Season in Tokyo

The Major League Baseball season kicks off with a historic two-game series in Tokyo, featuring the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. This matchup is notable for being the first time since 2000 that the Cubs have played in Japan, and it showcases five Japanese players, including stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The opening game will see Yamamoto face Cubs' pitcher Shota Imanaga, marking the first all-Japanese pitching matchup on opening day in MLB history. Both teams have been in Tokyo for several days, engaging in exhibition games with local teams, drawing large crowds and significant local interest. Cubs fans, including those in Wrigleyville, are eager to watch the game despite the early start time, while Dodgers' management emphasizes their championship aspirations fueled by their high-profile roster. The series underscores the global reach of baseball and the excitement surrounding its players in their home country.