On March 16, 2025, Ayato Saiki of the Hanshin Tigers delivered a stunning performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the MLB Tokyo Series by Guggenheim at Tokyo Dome. The game saw Saiki pitching five innings, allowing just one hit, with no runs scored and seven strikeouts, leading his team to a 3-0 victory against the reigning World Series champions.
Saiki’s dominating presence on the mound was particularly noteworthy as he faced off against Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers' star and one of baseball’s biggest names. This matchup had immense significance for Saiki, who was seeking redemption after Ohtani had previously hit a home run off him during their last encounter, which took place 741 days earlier. This time, Saiki struck out Ohtani with a sharp forkball during the first inning, showcasing his growth and determination to avenge his prior defeat.
"I wanted to strike him out with the same pitch he hit for the home run before," Saiki said, reflecting on the mental preparation leading to this game. His ability to execute his plan was evident, as Ohtani went 0-for-2 against him, adding to the anticipation around Saiki's future potential. The atmosphere at the Tokyo Dome was electric, with 42,059 fans roaring as Saiki celebrated his performance with visible excitement.
Saiki's stellar outing didn’t just impress the fans; Dodger's media and even manager Dave Roberts praised his pitching as being of major league caliber. Roberts noted, "The type of pitches Saiki was throwing today were top class, both his fastball and forkball were impressive. He had control and was constantly challenging our hitters."
This sentiment was echoed by various media reports, with one from The Athletic highlighting how Saiki left observers slack-jawed, emphasizing his potential to become a significant player, possibly even for Los Angeles. Sportsnet Los Angeles broadcaster Steven Nelson commented, "Saiki was incredible today; he pitched four no-hit innings and dominated our hitters. You could sense he was on another level."
Hanshin also benefited from Yoshiaki Sato's explosive performance, as he hit a three-run home run off Dodger’s pitcher Blake Snell to secure the lead. This layered success for the Tigers marked their second consecutive win against major league opponents, having won 3-0 against the Chicago Cubs the previous day, which only boosted the buzz around their rising stars.
This spring exhibition series has been pivotal for many players, particularly for Saiki, who expressed his aspirations of transitioning to MLB. "I’ve always dreamed of playing at this level, and today was just one step closer," he stated following the victory. Saiki also spent time post-game discussing pitch techniques with fellow ace Tyler Glasnow, highlighting his eagerness to learn and improve.
The excitement and anticipation only continue to grow not just for Saiki's career but for the entire Tigers team as they prepare for the upcoming season opener against DeNA on April 1. With budding talent and rising expectations, it seems the Hanshin Tigers are poised for significant accomplishments as they look to capture the success they enjoyed during this exhibition against top-tier talent.
With the outcome of this match, Hanshin aims to carry this momentum forward as they prepare for the regular season, promising fans thrilling baseball and perhaps, many more stunning performances from Ayato Saiki and his teammates.