Dodgers Seek Strong Start to Title Defense
In 2024, the Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed a remarkable season, clinching the NL West by a comfortable seven-game margin over the San Diego Padres. They triumphed over the Padres in the NL Division Series, dispatched the Mets in the NL Championship Series, and ultimately defeated the Yankees in the World Series, marking their first championship since 2020 and their second since 1988. The Dodgers were not content to rest on their recent achievements; they made significant moves in the offseason by acquiring pitcher Blake Snell, bolstering their bullpen with Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates, and enhancing their batting lineup with Michael Conforto and Hyeseong Kim. They also secured the return of Teoscar Hernandez and Enrique Hernandez. However, they faced notable losses, including pitchers Walker Buehler, now with the Red Sox, and Jack Flaherty, who joined the Tigers. A key absence for Los Angeles in this series is Mookie Betts, who has lost 15 pounds due to illness and will miss this matchup but is expected to return for home games.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for the Dodgers on Opening Day, following a promising rookie season where he made 18 starts. He finished with a 7-2 record, a 3.00 ERA, and a solid 1.111 WHIP, tallying 105 strikeouts across 90 innings. In the postseason, he went 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA, and in this spring training, he registered a 1-0 record with a 4.15 ERA. After missing nearly three months in the previous season due to a strained rotator cuff, Yamamoto will make his third career start against the Cubs, boasting a perfect 0.00 ERA against them in previous encounters. This matchup also marks his debut as a major league pitcher at the Tokyo Dome.
Cubs Aim for Postseason Return in 2025
The Chicago Cubs made several changes leading into the 2024 season, yet they found themselves in a familiar position, finishing just above .500 and missing the postseason. With an 83-79 record, they ended ten games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL Central title. As they enter year two under manager Craig Counsell, the Cubs are hopeful for improved results. Their offseason moves were relatively modest, adding pitchers Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea for rotation depth, while also acquiring players like Carson Kelly, Justin Turner, and Jon Berti for potential platoon roles. Chicago made headlines by trading for Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly from the Astros while parting ways with Cody Bellinger, who joined the Yankees. The Cubs also lost several key players to other teams during free agency. Nico Hoerner, recovering from a forearm injury, will not participate in this series.
Shota Imanaga is set to pitch for the Cubs on Opening Day, marking a significant moment in MLB history as he faces off against Yamamoto, another Japanese pitcher. In his debut season, Imanaga made 29 starts, earning a record of 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA and striking out 174 batters over 173.1 innings. His spring training performance included one win and a 5.73 ERA. This game will be Imanaga’s third start against the Dodgers, where he has managed a 2.45 ERA previously. He, too, will experience pitching at the Tokyo Dome for the first time in his career.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
With the anticipation building around this series, the matchup of two Japanese pitchers adds a unique layer of excitement. Despite the absence of Betts and Hoerner, both teams still boast impressive rosters filled with star talent. Yamamoto’s previous struggles in the major leagues, particularly during the Seoul Series against the Padres, could loom over this game. Both teams are expected to manage their pitchers’ workloads carefully, especially early in the season. The Cubs have shown offensive promise this spring, with a .305 batting average in the Cactus League. While the Dodgers are the defending champions, they may take time to find their rhythm, potentially giving Chicago the advantage in this contest.
Need Another Take on This Game?
For an alternative prediction on this matchup, see Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs Prediction from Statsalt, our partner site.
