MLB 2025 Season Opens with Historic Tokyo Series Showcasing Japanese Talent

The Dodgers and Cubs face off in Japan, marking the first MLB Opening Day matchup between two Japanese starting pitchers.

The 2025 MLB season begins with a two-game Tokyo Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga of the Cubs make history as the first Japanese pitchers to start against each other on Opening Day.
Dodgers star Mookie Betts is sidelined due to illness, while Freddie Freeman was a late scratch from the opener with rib discomfort.
The Dodgers feature reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani as their designated hitter, returning to Japan after leading the team to a World Series title.
The Tokyo Series is part of MLB's effort to expand its global reach, with games broadcast worldwide and significant interest in Japan.