Tokyo witnessed history on March 18, 2025, as the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Chicago Cubs 4-1, marking the start of Major League Baseball's season at the iconic Tokyo Dome. This matchup wasn't just another game; it was the first all-Japanese pitching duel on opening day, featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs, each representing their home nation on this grand stage.
Yamamoto, showcasing his talent, threw five impressive innings where he allowed just one run on three hits and struck out four batters, earning him the win (1-0). His counterpart, Imanaga, put up equally commendable stats, pitching four scoreless innings, no hits allowed, but walking four—an outcome notable for the precision required to compete at this level.
While the Cubs initially drew first blood, taking the lead 1-0 with Miguel Amaya's two-out double catching Dansby Swanson home in the second inning, the Dodgers quickly turned the tide. The fifth inning became their defining moment. They capitalized on Cubs reliever Ben Brown's (0-1) lapse, scoring three runs thanks to timely hits and an unfortunate throwing error by second baseman Jon Berti.
Tommy Edman and Will Smith each contributed single RBIs, stirring the crowd and energizing their side. Among the highlights was star player Shohei Ohtani, who played a pivotal role by delivering the Dodgers’ first hit of the game, setting off the rally with his hard-hit single and finishing the game 2-for-5 at bat, including a double leading off the ninth inning to score again.
Despite the initial lead, the Cubs struggled to maintain their momentum, failing to hit again after the third inning. Their offensive efforts were effectively cut off by the Dodgers' excellent pitching. Notably, Yamamoto and his relievers— Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, and Blake Treinen—combined to retire 16 consecutive batters from the third to the eighth inning. This impressive streak met its end when Treinen accidentally hit Berti with a pitch.
Throwing caution to the wind and playing for pride, the game nonetheless had its challenges. Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched due to left rib discomfort shortly before the game, transitioning the lineup and testing the bench depth. Meanwhile, shortstop Mookie Betts did not participate at all during their Japan series due to illness, leaving fans wondering how much more potent the Dodgers could have been with their full roster intact.
The Dodgers' win not only signifies their impressive kicking off this season but is also history being made. Their performance at the Tokyo Dome marks another milestone for the franchise, which has played regular-season games outside the United States before—historically, their first game was against the Montreal Expos back on May 27, 1969. Since then, they have showcased their skills during exhibition and regular games across multiple countries, including Mexico, Australia, and South Korea.
With eyes set on the next match, the Dodgers will showcase Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki, making his MLB debut as they try to maintain their winning momentum against Justin Steele and the Cubs on March 19. With both teams showing competitive spirit and depth, the upcoming game promises to be thrilling, shifting narratives as teams fine-tune their strategies.
The atmosphere at the Tokyo Dome, with its enthusiastic crowds cheering for their beloved home team, reflected the significant cultural importance and connection the game has within Japan. Even Dodger fans unable to appear live at the venue turned out to show their support at local watch parties back home, proving the unwavering excitement for the return of baseball.
On March 23, the Dodgers will return to Southern California to begin the Freeway Series against the Angels at Dodger Stadium. Following this, they will be gearing up for their regular-season home opener set for March 27 against the Detroit Tigers, where fans will look forward to seeing their full lineup and boosted spirits from Japan.
With the 2025 season officially underway, the Dodgers showed resilience under pressure, drawing from their rich history and deep talent pool. Their successful season opener leaves fans and pundits excited to see what the future holds as they aim for back-to-back championships.
