The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will kick off Major League Baseball’s 2025 regular season on March 18-19 with a two-game set in Tokyo, Japan. The host country will be well-represented, particularly on the mound.

Matchup Details

While nothing has been finalized, both teams have indicated that the first game will likely feature Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga and Dodgers righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Both pitchers hail from Japan.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that it’s, “fair to say” Yamamoto will be starting the first game according to MLB.com. Furthermore, the Dodgers are also planning for Roki Sasaki to make his MLB debut during this series, conditions permitting.

Imanaga expressed his enthusiasm stating, “It’s my job to start Opening (Day) in Japan; I think I want to keep my responsibility and do well over there.”

Both Imanaga and Yamamoto are entering their second seasons in MLB and are expected to lead their respective teams during this highly anticipated series.