LA Dodgers Set to Open 2025 MLB Season in Japan with Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki
The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading to Japan to kick off the 2025 MLB season, marking their second consecutive year starting abroad. After beginning 2024 in South Korea, the Dodgers will now take on the Chicago Cubs in a two-game series in Tokyo—a trip that carries immense significance due to the team’s strong Japanese presence.
With Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki on the roster, the Dodgers have become the premier MLB team for Japanese baseball fans, and their Tokyo visit is expected to be a massive spectacle.
Dodgers President Stan Kasten on the Importance of Playing in Japan
Dodgers president Stan Kasten understands the historic importance of the team’s trip to Japan, especially with three of the country’s biggest baseball stars suiting up for Los Angeles.
Kasten told USA Today:
“The stadium doesn’t hold 100 million people, which is approximately how many Japanese people would love to see Shohei and Yoshi and Roki. Everyone appreciates the historic significance unlike any other international adventure we’ve ever undertaken in baseball.”
He further emphasized that the reception in Japan will be like nothing the team has experienced before, comparing it to the Dodgers’ World Series parade:
“We think the reception that this team, especially because of Shohei, Yoshi, and Roki, it will feel the way our [World Series] parade felt every day we’re there. This is going to be off the charts.”
Dodgers vs. Cubs in Tokyo: A Historic Matchup
Adding another layer of significance to the Tokyo Series, the Dodgers’ opponent, the Chicago Cubs, also feature a high-profile Japanese player, Shota Imanaga.
Imanaga, one of Japan’s top pitchers, is expected to start one of the two games against his country’s most beloved stars, making this a must-watch event for baseball fans in Japan.
Projected Dodgers Pitchers for the Tokyo Series
- Game 1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Game 2: Roki Sasaki
With Yamamoto and Sasaki set to take the mound, Japanese fans will witness two of their nation’s most talented pitchers in Dodgers blue, facing off against one of their own in Imanaga.
The Dodgers’ Strong Connection to Japan
The Dodgers have cemented themselves as the top MLB team for Japanese stars, acquiring:
✅ Shohei Ohtani (2023 Free Agency) – The biggest free-agent signing in baseball history
✅ Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2023 Free Agency) – A record-breaking pitching contract
✅ Roki Sasaki (2024 Free Agency) – The latest superstar to join LA
Kasten acknowledged that while the Cubs also have a strong Japanese presence, no team compares to the Dodgers in Japan:
“The Cubs have a couple of really good Japanese players too, and a long, proud history, but we are the Dodgers. I think the Dodgers are just different, especially in Japan.”
What This Means for MLB and International Baseball
MLB has been expanding its global reach, and the Dodgers’ trip to Japan further strengthens baseball’s international presence.
Why This is a Game-Changer for Baseball:
🌏 Increases MLB’s popularity in Japan
🎟️ Expected to be a sellout event
💰 Boosts MLB’s international market and merchandise sales
🏆 Strengthens Dodgers’ brand as a global baseball powerhouse
With Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Sasaki leading the way, the Dodgers are more than just an MLB team—they are a worldwide baseball phenomenon.
Final Thoughts: A Historic Start to the 2025 MLB Season
The Dodgers’ Tokyo trip is shaping up to be one of the most significant international events in MLB history.
- Shohei Ohtani returns home as a global baseball icon
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki will shine on the mound
- A historic Dodgers-Cubs matchup featuring Japanese stars
With millions of Japanese fans eagerly waiting, Dodger Blue is set to take over Tokyo, and Opening Day 2025 will be unforgettable. 💙⚾🌏
