The most traditional commentators are very angry, but Commissioner Robert Manfred is determined to give greater relevance to Major League Baseball in the midst of uncertainty over broadcasting rights, and found a great ally in Japan to shout “play ball” for the first time this season.
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Interestingly, the “Opening Day” is on March 27th, the first two official games of the 2025 season will be played in Tokyo with a two-game series between the champions Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs.
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The Dodgers are not only one of the top baseball teams in the world, but they also have three Japanese players among their ranks, including superstar Shohei Ohtani, which has sparked great fandom in the Japanese capital.
How was the Dodgers' victory over the Cubs?
Almost 43 thousand fans who filled the Tokyo Dome watched as Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched five solid innings for the Angels and idol Shohei Ohtani connected for two hits and scored twice for the 4-1 victory over Chicago.
The Cubs also showcased their first baseman Shota Imanaga, who pitched four innings without allowing a hit, although he issued four walks.
The Dodgers attacked Cubs reliever Ben Brown (0-1) in the fifth inning, scoring three runs, partly due to a throwing error by second baseman Jon Berti. Tommy Edman and Will Smith hit RBI singles.
Ohtani was part of the offense. The star hit a single to right field. He went 2 for 5 at the plate, including a double to start the ninth inning, eventually scoring another run.
Yamamoto (1-0) allowed one run on three hits and one walk, with four strikeouts. Tanner Scott earned his first save.
Panamanian Miguel Amaya drove in Dansby Swanson with a two-out double that put the score 1-0 in favor of Chicago, but then the Cubs did not score any hits after the third inning.
Mookie Betts, who was moved to the shortstop position in the infield this season, returned to the United States and will miss both games in Japan due to an illness.
On Wednesday, Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki will make his MLB debut with the Dodgers, while left-hander Justin Steele will take the mound for the Cubs.