MLB Tokyo Series 2025: Everything to know as Dodgers, Cubs open season. The highly anticipated Major League Baseball season opens Tuesday night at the iconic Tokyo Dome, where Shohei Ohtani and the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will battle the Chicago Cubs.
This matchup marks the first of a two-game series that showcases five talented Japanese players. On the mound for the Dodgers, fans will see Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and rookie Roki Sasaki, while the Cubs will feature outfielder Seiya Suzuki and left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga.
Both teams have spent several days in Tokyo, engaging in exhibition games against local teams, including the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants. These exhibition matches drew enthusiastic crowds, with each game attracting around 42,000 fans, creating an electric atmosphere that is expected to carry over into the official MLB games.
Here are five key points to know as the MLB opener approaches:
All-Japanese Pitching Matchup
The opening game will feature a historic all-Japanese pitching matchup, a first for MLB’s opening day. Yamamoto will take the mound for the Dodgers, while Imanaga represents the Cubs.
Entering his second season with Los Angeles, Yamamoto had an impressive record of 7-2 and a 3.00 ERA last year, playing a pivotal role in the Dodgers’ World Series triumph, particularly with a standout performance in Game 2 against the Yankees.
On the other hand, Imanaga earned All-Star honors in his debut season with the Cubs, finishing with a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA in 2024. The Dodgers will also feature rookie Roki Sasaki in the second game on Wednesday.
Young Cubs
Cubs fans can expect to see third baseman Matt Shaw make his big league debut on Tuesday. Shaw, a highly regarded prospect, earned his starting position after a strong showing in spring training.
Drafted 13th overall in 2020 after a successful college career at Maryland, Shaw hit .284 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs last season, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A. Other promising young players include outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and rookie second baseman Gage Workman, who may also make their MLB debuts in Tokyo.
Ailing Mookie
Unfortunately for the Dodgers, shortstop Mookie Betts will miss both games against the Cubs due to a lingering illness. Manager Dave Roberts reported that while Betts is on the mend, he has lost nearly 15 pounds and is focusing on rehydration and regaining strength. There is a possibility he may return to the U.S. before the team to prepare for the domestic opener on March 27.
In his absence, Miguel Rojas will step in as the starting shortstop.
What Time is the Tokyo Series?
Fans in the United States should set their alarms to catch the Tokyo games. Both matchups will begin at 7:10 p.m. in Tokyo, translating to a 6:10 a.m. wake-up call for those on Eastern Time.
Cubs and Dodgers supporters in Chicago will need to rise even earlier, as the start time is set for 5:10 a.m., while those in Los Angeles will need to be alert by 3:10 a.m. The games will be broadcast nationally on Fox.
Tokyo History
This series commemorates the 25th anniversary of the first regular-season MLB games played in Japan, where the New York Mets and Cubs faced off at the Tokyo Dome in 2000.
Since then, MLB has returned to Japan in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019, with the latter series celebrating the final two games of Ichiro Suzuki’s illustrious career in his homeland. Suzuki is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer.
This event marks the 10th time MLB has played regular season games outside the 50 states, with previous locations including Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia, and last year’s series in South Korea.
FOLLOW
Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience
Los Angeles Dodgers
Chicago Cubs
Major League Baseball
