2025: Major League Baseball's Tokyo Series. Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan on March 18 & 19, 2025 (Video)NEW

Major League Baseball's Tokyo Series. Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani will kick off the 2025 season in Tokyo, facing the Chicago Cubs on March 18. The Athletics will begin the home portion of their inaugural season in Sacramento against the Cubs on March 31.

Dates
March 18 & 19, 2025

Expected Pitchers
• March 18: Yoshinobu Yamamoto is likely to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tokyo Series opener against the Chicago Cubs Shota Imanaga
• March 19: Roki Sasaki makes his MLB debut in the second game as the started.


Dodgers Japan Schedule
note: PT stands for Pacific Time, which is the time zone for the West Coast of the United States, including Los Angeles. Since the Dodgers are based in Los Angeles

March 15 (Saturday)
• Dodgers vs. Yomiuri Giants - 3:00 AM PT (Exhibition Game)
• Dodgers vs. Hanshin Tigers - 8:00 PM PT (Exhibition Game)

March 18 (Tuesday) - Opening Day
• Dodgers vs. Cubs - 3:10 AM PT
Starting Pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs. Shota Imanaga (CHC)

March 19 (Wednesday) - Tokyo Series Finale
Dodgers vs. Cubs - 3:10 AM PT
• Starting Pitchers: Roki Sasaki (LAD) vs. Justin Steele (CHC)

TV Broadcast
Exhibition Games: SportsNet LA, MLB.TV
• March 18 (Opening Day): Fox, SportsNet LA, Marquee, MLB.TV
• March 19 (Finale): Fox Sports 1, SportsNet LA, Marquee

Dodgers and Cubs to Open 2025 MLB Season in Tokyo
Major League Baseball (MLB) announced that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will kick off the 2025 season with a two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18-19 at the Tokyo Dome. This marks the sixth time MLB has opened its season in Japan, emphasizing the league's ongoing efforts to expand its international presence.

Historic Matchup with Star Power
The Dodgers and Cubs are fitting choices for this historic matchup, boasting some of the most notable Japanese players in MLB. The Dodgers' roster features two-way star Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while the Cubs have outfielder Seiya Suzuki and pitcher Shota Imanaga. The series not only highlights top-tier baseball talent but also strengthens the connection between MLB and Japanese baseball fans.

Previous MLB Japan Openers
This Tokyo series follows a tradition of MLB season openers in Japan, which began with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs in 2000. Subsequent openers included:
• 2004: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
• 2008: Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics
• 2012 and 2019: Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics

MLB's Global Expansion
MLB's international push extends beyond Japan. The 2024 season saw games in Seoul, South Korea, and additional matchups in Mexico City and London. Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed enthusiasm for these global initiatives, citing strong fan engagement and the opportunity to celebrate baseball's heritage worldwide.

2025 Season Highlights
The 2025 MLB schedule introduces several key changes and highlights:
• Opening Day for all 30 teams is set for March 27, one of the earliest start dates in MLB history.
• A new "Rivalry Weekend" in May will feature increased interleague matchups, including iconic rivalries like Yankees vs. Mets and Dodgers vs. Angels.
• The schedule maintains a balanced approach, with each team playing 13 games against division rivals and interleague play comprising 48 games.

Other Notable Events
The Athletics will begin their home games in Sacramento, marking the end of their tenure in Oakland's Coliseum. Meanwhile, the All-Star Game is slated for July 15 at Atlanta's Truist Park, and the regular season will conclude on September 28.

The Dodgers-Cubs opener in Tokyo underscores MLB's commitment to globalizing the sport, providing fans worldwide with the chance to witness top-tier baseball and celebrate the game's international appeal.