TOKYO – The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the MLB regular season with a commanding 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series MLB 2025. Playing in front of a packed Tokyo Dome crowd, the game made history as the first Opening Day MLB matchup featuring two Japanese starting pitchers—Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs.
Yamamoto, Ohtani Shine in Dodgers’ Victory
Yamamoto (1-0) delivered an impressive performance, pitching five strong innings while allowing just one run on three hits. He struck out four and walked one before handing the ball off to the bullpen. The Dodgers relied on a stellar relief effort, with Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, and Blake Treinen retiring 16 consecutive batters from the third through the eighth inning.
Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani played a crucial role, going 2-for-5 with a single and a double. His hard-hit single in the fifth inning sparked a Dodgers rally, turning the tide of the game. He also led off the ninth with a double and later scored, cementing his impact on the game.
Cubs Strike First, But Dodgers Respond Strongly
The Cubs initially took the lead in the second inning when Miguel Amaya drove in Dansby Swanson with a clutch two-out double. However, their offense stalled afterward, failing to record a hit beyond the third inning.
The Dodgers took advantage in the fifth inning, scoring three runs off Cubs reliever Ben Brown (0-1). A throwing error by Jon Berti contributed to the scoring surge, while Tommy Edman and Will Smith added RBI singles to put the Dodgers ahead for good.
Key Stats and Highlights
- Ohtani’s single in the fifth was the Dodgers’ first hit of the game, sparking the go-ahead rally.
- Dodgers pitchers retired 16 consecutive batters from the third to the eighth inning.
- Freddie Freeman was scratched from the lineup due to left rib discomfort.
- Mookie Betts missed the game and will also sit out the second matchup due to illness.
What’s Next?
The Tokyo Series concludes on Wednesday as Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki makes his highly anticipated MLB debut for the Dodgers, facing off against Cubs left-hander Justin Steele.
Where to Watch Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs?
Fans can catch the action live through MLB’s official streaming services, cable sports networks, or regional sports channels. See the Dodgers schedule and Cubs schedule for upcoming games.
