The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs are set to kick off the 2025 MLB regular season in Japan with a two-game series on March 18 and 19.
The matchup is particularly notable because of the number of Japanese starts on each team.
The Dodgers, of course, have reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani, as well as right-handed pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, three of the biggest prizes in the past two offseasons. Additionally, manager Dave Roberts' mother is Japanese, and he was born in Okinawa's capital city of Naha.
The Cubs are expected to start second-year southpaw Shota Imanaga in the Japan Series and also boast slugger Seiya Suzuki.
Who might pitch in the Japan Series for the Dodgers was up in the air heading into Spring Training. Ohtani is not expected to pitch until at least May, but the Dodgers have a wealth of options. Tyler Glasnow and recently signed Blake Snell are each on nine-figure deals, and Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin are coming off major surgeries - not to mention Clayton Kershaw, who re-signed after not pitching in 2024.
However, Roberts announced on Tuesday on MLB Network that the expectation was for Sasaki and Yamamoto to pitch in their home nation.
Dave Roberts says the expectation for the Dodgers is that Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch in the Tokyo Series.
"The expectation for both of those guys to pitch is real," Roberts said. "That's our expectation. But as I say that, you just never know. Today is our first day of pitchers and catchers, so things can certainly change. But at the outset, that's the anticipation, yeah."
Yamamoto held a 3.00 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 90 innings in his first season with the Dodgers after signing a 12-year, $325 million contract. Sasaki will be making his Major League debut after dominating in Japan the past four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
