Dodgers Win Historic Tokyo Series Opener Against Cubs
The 2025 MLB season began with the Dodgers defeating the Cubs 4-1 in a game featuring the first-ever Opening Day matchup of Japanese starting pitchers.
- The Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Cubs' Shota Imanaga made history as the first Japanese pitchers to face off on MLB Opening Day.
- Shohei Ohtani had two hits, scored twice, and played a key role in the Dodgers’ three-run fifth inning rally.
- Yamamoto pitched five strong innings, allowing one run and striking out four, while Imanaga threw four hitless innings before being relieved.
- Freddie Freeman was scratched from the Dodgers' lineup due to rib discomfort, and Mookie Betts missed the series because of illness.
- The Tokyo Dome was sold out, with tickets reaching up to $16,873 on resale markets, reflecting the event's cultural and economic significance.
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