Fans of Major League Baseball (MLB) can hardly contain their excitement as the highly anticipated "2025 MLB World Tour: Tokyo Series" approaches, featuring Japan's own Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting on March 18, 2025, the Dodgers will face off against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome for what promises to be an unforgettable season opener. The fervor surrounding these games has driven ticket resale prices to soaring heights; some tickets are listed for as much as 1.5 million yen (approximately $10,100).
The series will kick off with exhibition games commencing on March 15, where the Dodgers will take on the Yomiuri Giants, and the Cubs will face the Hanshin Tigers. This is not just another game for the fans but more of a historical celebration, with many viewing this as a return to prominence for baseball after the Covid-19 pandemic.
On March 15, 2025, the Chicago Cubs will play the Hanshin Tigers at 11 p.m. ET, followed by the Dodgers' matchup with the Yomiuri Giants at 6 a.m. ET.
The excitement continues on March 16 when the Dodgers face the Hanshin Tigers and the Cubs play the Yomiuri Giants once again. After these matches, the two teams will be set to start the traditional MLB season, with the opening day scheduled for March 27, 2025.
Fans are eagerly waiting for the main event on March 18, which features the Dodgers vs. Cubs at 6:00 a.m. ET (7 p.m. local time) on Fox Sports. This is part of the league's initiatives to promote baseball globally, especially focusing on Japan, where enthusiasm for the sport remains at historic levels.
Importantly, the MLB and other stakeholders are keeping their fingers crossed as natural disasters like Hurricane Milton have previously impacted operations. The Tampa Bay Rays, for example, will have their home opener relocated to George M. Steinbrenner Field due to the maintenance required at Tropicana Field after the hurricane.
Fans who want to see baseball history made live cannot be blamed for splurging, as Ohtani is considered one of the most exciting players of this generation, capable of dominating as both pitcher and hitter. His return to Japan for these games is seen as both nostalgia and pride for Japanese fans, and for many, seeing him play live is unparalleled.
With teams making sure they are well-equipped for these international games, we can expect both the Cubs and Dodgers to field their best rosters. Throughout the MLB, teams are eagerly preparing for the traditional April schedule, which sees 28 teams competing on March 27.
Should all go as planned, the MLB intends to revolutionize its global presence. While the sport grows within American borders, the international appeal stands to catapult the league's overall image, courtesy of players like Ohtani, who have emerged as international stars.
This high-stakes event, along with the extravagant ticket prices, emphasizes not just Ohtani's prowess but also the love for baseball, making “2025 MLB World Tour: Tokyo Series” one for the history books.
Overall, as anticipation builds and ticket prices rise, all eyes are on Tokyo, aiming to see how Ohtani and the MLB World Tour captivate hearts and draw crowds.