Dodgers and Cubs Kick Off 2025 Season With Tokyo Series; LA Wins Opener!
Started from the off-season now we HERE. Can you believe that baseball is finally upon us? Well, it is, and it is glorious. Furthermore, for those of us who chose to fight sleep and our alarm clocks; we were treated to a very entertaining matchup. As the Dodgers and Cubs kicked off the 2025 season with the long-awaited Tokyo Series.
It was an early start time for anyone, whether you were on the east or west coast. 6:10 AM for the east side and a rest deprivation 3:10 AM for those out west. But in Tokyo it was a more standard or reasonable hour; 7:10 PM to be exact.
While LA fans were disappointed to learn that Mookie Betts due to illness would miss both games during the series. Additionally, Freddie Freeman was scrubbed from the lineup just moments before the game dealing with rib soreness. This series would still be far from a dud. Baseball enthusiasts could look forward to seeing Mr. 50/50 club himself, Shohei Ohtani. And the season opener would be a very nice battle between two of Japan’s most decorated pitchers. Chicago’s Shota Imanaga and the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Tokyo Series Game 1
The Cubs’ Imanaga impressed immediately. Getting Ohtani to ground out, then pitched a pop out and strikeout. The Dodgers Yamamoto wasn’t as sharp, but was still extremely effective. He walks Ian Happ (who eventually gets to second base); but Yoshinobu is able to get out the inning clean.
In the second inning, Shota hit a mini rough patch. Immediately walks Will Smith and Max Muncy. So at first things are looking scary for Chicago. However, Imanaga rights the ship and causes some pop ups; and manages to prevent any scoring.
The game would actually remain scoreless until in the bottom of the second we’d finally get our first hit of the season. Dansby Swanson steps up to the plate and reads Yamamoto’s pitching perfectly. Swanson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Andy Pages. But he would not be stranded. Miguel Amaya doubles on a fly ball to center fielder Andy Pages enabling Dansby Swanson to score. It’s 1-0.
Dodgers and Cubs Kick Off 2025 Season With Tokyo Series
However, Shota Imanaga racks up a LOT of pitches fast and is taken out by the fifth inning. And the Dodgers take full advantage. Shohei Ohtani gets the first hit of the season for Los Angeles; because… of course he does. Then, Tommy Edman singles on a line drive to left fielder Ian Happ. Andy Pages scores and Shohei Ohtani advances to 2nd.
Unfortunately, for Chicago, the nightmare continues. After a throwing error (if thrown properly would have been 2 outs and got the Cubs off the field); Shohei Ohtani scores. Furthermore, before the damage is officially done; Will Smith singles on a line drive to left fielder Ian Happ; bringing Teoscar Hernández home. The Dodgers are now up 3-1.
Los Angeles would tack on one more run in the ninth inning. Thanks to an Ohtani double and a Teoscar Hernandez single. But then, that would be the game. The Dodgers win the first game of the season, 4-1. Picking up their winning ways since they won the World Series. This is going to be a fun year.
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