Tokyo Series Game 1 FAQ: Lineups starting pitchers and more..
TOKYO — Five Japanese stars are back on home soil as Major Leaguers — among them Shohei Ohtani, coming off a season for the ages — and the reigning World Series champion Dodgers take the first step in defending their title.
That only scratches the surface of the intriguing storylines taking place at the 2025 Tokyo Series.
Tokyo Series 2025: Dodgers vs. Cubs
• Game 1 FAQ: Lineups, starting pitchers and more
• Everything you need to know about the series
• Yamamoto, Imanaga primed for showdown
• MLB’s history of games played abroad..
• 150 years of history has led to historic Opening Day
• Seiya taking BP with a samurai sword is exactly as cool as it sounds
• When will Ohtani come to your hometown in 2025?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga will take center stage on Tuesday, becoming the first pair of Japanese starting pitchers to face off against each other on Opening Day.
“To be on a stage like this in Tokyo, Japanese pitchers facing off on the field is an incredible opportunity,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “I’m going to try my best to perform.”
Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Japanese fans, more
Mar 16, 2025 · 1:09
Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Japanese fans, more
The Cubs were aiming for the postseason in each of the last two years, but fell short and posted 83 wins in both campaigns. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki — after watching Ohtani and Yamamoto celebrate their triumph with the Dodgers last year — hopes Chicago can make a deep run in the playoffs this fall.
“That’s the goal every year,” Suzuki said via interpreter during Spring Training. “I think that’s the goal for any team — just get to the playoffs. Watching other Japanese players last season play in the playoffs — and our season got short — for me, I want to play in the playoffs.”
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That quest begins in Tokyo.
“We get the opportunity to play the world champions,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said, “which means it’s a great challenge and a great way to start our test.”
Here is everything you need to know about Opening Day:
When is the game and how can I watch it?
The opening game of the Tokyo Series is set for 5:10 a.m. CT/3:10 a.m. PT. The game will be aired nationally on FOX, while also available on Marquee Sports Network and SportsNet L.A., along with MLB.TV. The game will be aired on the radio on 670 AM The Score and WRTO 1200 AM for Chicago and on Dodgers Radio AM 570 and KTNQ 1020 AM for Los Angeles.
MLB’s history of games played abroad
Shohei Ohtani’s two-run homer in Tokyo
Mar 15, 2025 · 0:30
Shohei Ohtani’s two-run homer in Tokyo
What are the likely lineups?
Dodgers..
Shohei Ohtani, DH
Mookie Betts, SS
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Teoscar Hernández, RF
Max Muncy, 3B
Will Smith, C
Michael Conforto, LF
Tommy Edman, 2B
Andy Pages, CF
Seiya Suzuki receives standing ovation in Tokyo Dome
Mar 15, 2025 · 0:30
Seiya Suzuki receives standing ovation in Tokyo Dome
Cubs..
Ian Happ, LF
Kyle Tucker, RF
Seiya Suzuki, DH
Michael Busch, 1B
Dansby Swanson, SS
Matt Shaw, 3B
Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
Miguel Amaya, C
Jon Berti, 2B
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s seven strikeouts
Mar 10, 2025 · 1:19
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s seven strikeouts
Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
2024 Season: 7-2, 3.00 ERA in 90 innings
Expectations are high for Yamamoto following a solid first season in the Majors. The Dodgers saw the 26-year-old right-hander rise to the occasion last postseason, when he was one of only three healthy traditional starting pitchers the team used en route to winning the World Series. With the stuff he has and a year in the big leagues under his belt, Yamamoto could have a big year ahead of him.
