The 2025 MLB season kicks off in Tokyo, as the Dodgers and Cubs square off in the latest installment of the MLB World Tour. The series, part of MLB’s global expansion efforts, continues the tradition of opening games beyond North America, marking the 10th time the league has started its season outside the United States and Canada.
Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best MLB odds from the top sportsbooks.
MLB Pick: Under 8.5 (-105) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
Tuesday, March 18, 2024 – 06:10 AM ET at Tokyo Dome
The Venue
Japan’s iconic Tokyo Dome, home of the Yomiuri Giants and the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, will host two regular season matchups. MLB’s international push has seen previous stops in Seoul, Mexico City, London, and Santo Domingo, and now returns to Tokyo, where the Cubs previously opened the 2000 season against the Mets.
Two Rosters With Japanese Stars
For the Dodgers, this marks their first visit to Japan, though they’ve been no strangers to international play, having participated in series in Sydney (2014), Monterrey (2018), and Seoul (2024). Meanwhile, the Cubs add Tokyo to their growing list of international appearances, which includes the 2023 London Series against the Cardinals.
A major storyline in this year’s Tokyo Series is the presence of Japanese superstars on both rosters. Shohei Ohtani, fresh off an MVP-winning, history-making first season with the Dodgers, will be the main attraction.
Despite taking a break from pitching in 2024 due to right elbow surgery, Ohtani made history as MLB’s first-ever 50/50 player, leading the Dodgers to a World Series title. He is set to resume two-way play in 2025, with a return to the mound expected in May.
Joining Ohtani in the Dodgers’ Japanese contingent are pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Yamamoto delivered an excellent first season after signing a record 12-year, $325 million contract, going 7-2 and posting a 3.00 ERA with 105 strikeouts over 90 innings in 18 regular season starts and a 3.86 ERA in four postseason starts.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers secured Sasaki, a 23-year-old phenom, after he was posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines this past offseason, further strengthening their rotation.
The Cubs also boast Japanese stars, including Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga. Suzuki has been a consistent performer since signing his five-year, $85 million deal in 2022, slashing .278/.354/.470 with 55 home runs and 31 stolen bases across 381 games.
Imanaga, who joined Chicago on a four-year, $53 million contract before the 2024 season, quickly became one of the league’s top pitchers. He posted a 2.91 ERA over 173 1/3 innings, leading the National League with a 6.21 K/BB ratio, and finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting and fifth in Cy Young voting.
Fittingly, Yamamoto and Imanaga will take the mound for Game 1, setting up a marquee matchup between two of Japan’s top pitchers.
Dodgers: A Dynasty in Full Swing
The Dodgers’ 2024 World Series victory erased any lingering doubts about their dominance. Before last season, they had won 10 division titles and three NL pennants in 11 years but had just one World Series (2020) to show for it. That changed when they powered through the postseason, fueled by Ohtani’s MVP performances, to claim their first full-season title since 1988.
Now, the focus is on sustaining success. Ohtani famously declared in the champagne-soaked locker room celebration that he wanted to win nine more World Series—one for each remaining year of his contract. With their talent and resources, the Dodgers are built to make that a reality.
Their offseason moves reflect that ambition. Adding Blake Snell to an already formidable rotation gives them yet another ace-caliber arm. Snell, one of the most dominant pitchers down the stretch in 2024, has a knack for limiting hard contact—opponents simply can’t square him up.
With Snell, Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow in the rotation, the Dodgers don’t need Ohtani to be a workhorse on the mound. Even 20 starts from him could be enough to keep them at the top.
Their bullpen also got a boost with the return of Blake Treinen, and they’ve shown their knack for turning struggling pitchers into success stories, as seen with Michael Kopech.
On the position player side, Tommy Edman’s versatility as a switch-hitter who plays all over the field will be invaluable, and Mookie Betts appears locked in at shortstop—thriving at yet another position. Freddie Freeman, a key piece of last year’s postseason run despite battling an ankle injury, is back at full strength.
With Betts, Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, and Freeman all future Hall of Famers, the Dodgers’ World Series window is nowhere close to closing.
Cubs: Aiming for the Next Step
After back-to-back 83-79 seasons that felt like missed opportunities, the Cubs knew they needed a bold move. They found their centerpiece in Kyle Tucker, acquiring the All-Star outfielder to reshape the middle of their lineup. With a clear goal of winning the NL Central, the team also bolstered its pitching staff, adding left-hander Matthew Boyd to strengthen the rotation.
The Cubs were right in the mix last season but let the division slip away. This time, with another year under manager Craig Counsell and a roster full of defensive standouts—Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Ian Happ—they’re built to contend. Their rotation, while not the hardest-throwing in the league, is deep and reliable, featuring Imanaga, Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad, and Boyd.
If everyone plays to their potential, the Cubs have the best shot in the division at hitting 90 wins. The pieces are there—now it’s about executing.
Keys to the Game
Both teams bring firepower, elite pitching, and international star power to the Tokyo Dome, making this a must-watch opener.
Los Angeles enters the season fresh off its second World Series title in five years, with Ohtani leading the charge after an unprecedented 50/50 season. Alongside him, Yamamoto and new acquisitions Snell and Sasaki add to an already stacked pitching staff.
The Cubs, on the other hand, made a splash in the offseason by landing Tucker, adding an All-Star bat to a lineup that already includes Suzuki, IHapp, and Busch. Their rotation, anchored by breakout lefty Imanaga, is built for consistency, making this a compelling early-season test.
Yamamoto gets the Opening Day nod after an impressive debut MLB season. His ability to generate weak contact and limit walks will be key against a Cubs team that prides itself on grinding out at-bats. The heart of Chicago’s order—Tucker, Suzuki, and Happ—will need to be aggressive early, as Yamamoto thrives once he settles into a rhythm. If the Cubs can force deep counts and get into the Dodgers’ bullpen early, they could shift the game in their favor.
Imanaga had one of the best rookie seasons in recent memory (15-3, 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP), finishing top five in both Cy Young and Rookie of the Year voting. His ability to limit hard contact will be tested against the Dodgers’ powerful lineup, headlined by Ohtani, Freeman, and Betts.
Imanaga doesn’t overpower hitters with velocity, so his command and ability to change speeds will be crucial. If he can keep the ball down and avoid mistakes over the plate, he has a chance to keep the game tight.
Ohtani is no stranger to massive stages, but Opening Day in Japan, with an entire nation watching, adds an extra layer of pressure. After skipping pitching duties in 2024, all eyes will be on his bat. His matchup against Imanaga will be especially intriguing, as the two faced off multiple times in Japan’s NPB and in the majors last year. If Ohtani gets an early hit or home run, expect the Tokyo Dome crowd to erupt.
Both teams have solid defenses, but early-season rust could play a role, especially given the adjustment to the Tokyo Dome’s artificial turf. The Cubs have an excellent defensive core with Hoerner and Crow-Armstrong, but if they make an early mistake, the Dodgers’ offense could capitalize. The late-game battle of the bullpens could also be decisive, with the Dodgers having a slight edge thanks to their depth.
MLB Pick
The first few innings will likely be a pitchers’ duel, with Yamamoto and Imanaga trading scoreless frames. Expect Ohtani and Suzuki to provide early sparks for their respective lineups, but it may come down to which team can break through against the bullpen first.
Ultimately, the Dodgers’ depth and power at the plate give them the edge. With Freeman, Betts, and Ohtani in the middle of the order, they have more proven hitters capable of delivering in big moments. Imanaga can help the Cubs compete in a low-scoring game.
MLB Pick: Under 8.5 (-105) at Bet365
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