Dodgers Aiming for a Strong Start
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their first victory of the 2025 regular season by defeating the Chicago Cubs in a tightly contested match on Tuesday morning. With this win, the Dodgers hope to secure a 2-0 record before they return to their spring training schedule, which precedes the official start of the regular season on March 27. In their opening game against Chicago, the Dodgers recorded seven hits, with Shohei Ohtani contributing two runs, standing out as the only player with multiple hits. Despite this, the team struggled to capitalize on scoring chances, going just three for 15 with runners in scoring position and leaving 11 players stranded on the bases. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-0) secured the win, pitching five innings, allowing one run on three hits, and striking out four batters. Tanner Scott closed the game with a perfect ninth inning, earning his first save.
Roki Sasaki, the highly anticipated pitcher signed during the offseason after playing with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, will make his major league debut in this matchup. Last season in Japan, Sasaki made 18 starts, finishing with a 10-5 record, a 2.37 ERA, and 129 strikeouts over 111 innings. His overall career statistics boast a 30-15 record with a remarkable 2.02 ERA and 524 strikeouts across 414.2 innings. This will be his first appearance against the Cubs and his inaugural start at the Tokyo Dome as a major league player.
Cubs Looking to Rebound Before Returning Home
The Chicago Cubs faced a challenging start to their season, struggling at the plate during their defeat against the Dodgers. As they prepare to head home for the official start of the regular season next week, the Cubs are eager to level the series. Chicago initially took the lead in the second inning with an RBI double from Miguel Amaya but managed only three hits throughout the game. Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ contributed singles, but the team faltered with runners in scoring position, finishing one for seven and leaving four on base. Shota Imanaga pitched four scoreless innings, but did not factor into the decision. Ben Brown (0-1) absorbed the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) over 2.2 innings.
Justin Steele is set to make his first start of the 2025 season for the Cubs. Last year, he appeared in 24 games, achieving a 5-5 record and a 3.07 ERA. His spring training was less than stellar, as he posted a 1-1 record with a 9.35 ERA over 8.2 innings. Steele has faced the Dodgers three times previously, holding a 2-1 record with a 3.00 ERA. This matchup marks his first time pitching at the Tokyo Dome in his 99th career major league appearance.
Best Bets for Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
In their opening game, the Dodgers capitalized on multiple scoring opportunities but ultimately left many runs on the table. Drawing eight walks and benefiting from an error by Jon Berti, who is stepping in for the injured Nico Hoerner, Los Angeles finds itself in a favorable position. As Roki Sasaki makes his official major league debut, excitement surrounds his potential impact. Given the Cubs’ struggles against both Yamamoto and the Dodgers’ bullpen, the odds seem to favor Los Angeles in this contest.
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