On March 16, 2025, the MLB Tokyo Series features Shohei Ohtani starting as the designated hitter for the Dodgers as they face off against the Hanshin Tigers at the Tokyo Dome. Fans are eager to see whether Ohtani can maintain his offensive momentum following his impressive performance from the previous day.
On March 15, Ohtani stepped up as the first batter and hit a spectacular two-run home run, showcasing his ability to thrill the crowd and prove why he's one of baseball's biggest stars. This home run marked his first since hitting against Australia during the WBC game on March 12, 2023, making it 734 days without swinging for the fences back home. The Dodgers emerged victorious with five runs during one explosive inning, and Ohtani himself contributed significantly, finishing the day with two at-bats, one hit, two RBIs, and one walk.
Reflecting on his powerful hit, Ohtani stated, "The ball had a good launch angle, and I felt like I was back after being away for so long." His words struck a chord with fans, who are thrilled to see their favorite player back where he started his storied career.
The Dodgers got off to a solid start under the impressive pitching of Blake Snell. The two-time Cy Young winner delivered 4 1/3 strong innings against the Tigers, managing to keep Hanshin's bats silent for the first three innings. He pitched with precision, demonstrating sharp breaking balls and fast pitches exceeding 150 km/h. At first, he appeared untouchable, not allowing any hits or walks through the initial frames of the game.
Things took a turn for Snell during the fourth inning, where he faced increasing pressure as the Tigers began to make their moves. After walking Koji Chikamoto and allowing Takumu Nakano's first hit of the day, the bases were soon loaded. It was Kinki Sato, batting third, who seized this opportunity, hitting Snell's 152 km/h fastball deep to right field and granting Hanshin their first lead.
Despite this setback, Snell showcased remarkable resilience, recording seven strikeouts during his time on the mound and preventing any additional runs from crossing the plate following Sato's home run. Snell concluded his outing having allowed three earned runs on three hits and two walks over 80 pitches. His performance reaffirmed his elite skills, even on international soil.
The matchday lineups were unveiled earlier, showcasing the strength of both teams. For the Dodgers, Ohtani led off as the DH, followed by Tommy Edman (2B), Freddy Freeman (1B), Teoscar Hernandez (RF), Max Muncy (3B), Will Smith (C), Michael Conforto (LF), Miguel Rojas (SS), and Andy Pages (CF) with Snell taking the pitcher's mound.
On the opposing side, the Hanshin Tigers countered with their lineup of Koji Chikamoto (CF), Takumu Nakano (2B), Kinki Sato (3B), Ryota Morishita (RF), Yuto Ohyama (1B), Ukyo Maegawa (LF), Kinosuke Kimura (SS), Fumihito Haraguchi (DH), and Kairo Sakamoto (C), with Hiroto Ohsaki starting as pitcher.
The match is already the talk of the town, not just due to Ohtani's presence but also because fans are eager to see how Hanshin's Hiroto Ohsaki will fare against the formidable Dodgers lineup. Just earlier, Ohtani looked back fondly at his previous encounter with Ohsaki, recalling hitting one knee during their practice match on March 6, 2023, but launching the ball all the way to the back screen.
With all players firing on all cylinders, this game promises to be filled with excitement. Fans anticipate Ohtani’s potential for another home run and hope to witness the magic their hero brings to the diamond, potentially making history once again.