TOKYO — The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the 2025 MLB season with notable fanfare, scoring a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome on March 18, 2025. This opening game was particularly significant not only for the teams competing but also for the players, with the matchup featuring Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This was the first regular-season game of the year, marking yet another highlight of the league’s commitment to integrating with the Japanese baseball scene.
Prior to the main event, the teams had already engaged with local culture, participating in exhibition matches against Japanese teams, including the Yomiuri Giants and the Hanshin Tigers. The most anticipated moments centered around the first-ever all-Japanese starting pitch matchup on opening day history, with Yamamoto and Cubs ace Shota Imanaga taking the mound.
The Dodgers began the game sluggishly, failing to secure any hits during the first four innings against Imanaga, who dominated with his splitter and struck out star player Teoscar Hernández, showcasing his prowess right from the start. Imanaga's stellar performance included no runs allowed for four innings, bolstering the anticipation of the crowd.
By the fifth inning, the Dodgers broke the ice. After Andy Pages got on base with a walk, Ohtani delivered with the club's first hit of the game, sending a thunderous 107-mph line drive single to right field. The atmosphere erupted, as Ohtani’s return home to Japan was celebrated, especially considering he was facing former teammates and hometown fans.
Tommy Edman followed suit by knocking the game-tying single, setting the stage for the Dodgers to take the lead. A costly error from Cubs’ second baseman Jon Berti allowed Ohtani to score, and Will Smith capped off the rally with another single, driving home Hernández. Just like, the score turned around from being down 1-0 to 3-1.
This surge would prove transformative for the Dodgers, who began their World Series title defense with expectations at an all-time high following their eighth championship win last season. Manager Dave Roberts remarked on the atmosphere, saying, “You could see how excited the fans were, the people of Tokyo were. The players are ready to get going.”
Despite the initial setbacks, the Dodgers leaned on the strength of their $400 million roster to rally, with Yamamoto following up with impressive pitching, allowing just one run over five innings.
Meanwhile, Cubs fans held on tight, having witnessed their team’s legendary drought come to an end just eight seasons prior, with the 2016 World Series victory breaking their own 108-year streak without championship glory. This matchup and its international backdrop attracted both fans and baseball legends, making the game feel more like a worldwide celebration of baseball than merely the start of another MLB season.
Freddie Freeman, who was expected to take part, was scratched right before the game due to left rib discomfort, leaving the Dodgers to work off the immediate discomfort of missing one of their key players.
The pregame festivities were equally spectacular, featuring Japanese composer Yoshiki performing both the American and Japanese national anthems, drawing loud cheers and applause. Fans were treated to an extraordinary Pokémon-themed video showcasing baseball's rich ties with Japan and its players over the years.
Ohtani continued to shine as he provided the insurance run later, securing his own chance to shine not only as one of the most popular players but as one of the best. His double, which came at 108 mph, illustrated why he is such a focal point of the exhibition. The adrenaline-charged atmosphere was one where legends and aspiring players met, highlighting the cultural intricacies behind the MLB's global expansion.
With Tanner Scott closing out the game, the Dodgers finally wrapped up the match with not just style but substance, starting their season with confidence and ambition. Striking out Matt Shaw on his fastball was Scott’s formal introduction as one of the newest acquisitions, promising excitement throughout the season.
Notably, this game was part of the MLB’s series aimed at painting Japan blue, focusing on Japanese players as key contributors to the sport’s growth both domestically and internationally. Stars like Rōki Sasaki, who was set to debut soon, and the excitement leading up to these cultural exchanges stimulates fans on both sides of the ocean.
Throughout the evening, the stands displayed fervor, with supporters of both teams wearing jerseys and merchandise, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Whether it was the star-studded player introductions or the insightful performances, this Tokyo Series opener felt like much more than just another baseball game; it carried the weight of history, culture, and the fervent spirit of baseball shared by fans globally.
On the night, as the Dodgers celebrated their victory, attention shifted toward the future, with anticipation for their next games on Japanese soil holding immense significance for players and fans alike.
