Tokyo, Japan - In a highly anticipated matchup at the Tokyo Dome, the Los Angeles Dodgers commenced their 2025 season with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The game, marked by significant international interest and the presence of several Japanese stars, showcased both teams' strengths and areas for improvement as they embark on the new MLB campaign.

The Cubs initially seized the lead in the second inning, but the Dodgers' offense found its rhythm in the fifth and sustained momentum throughout the game. All eyes were on Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese sensation, who delivered by going 2-for-5 and contributing two crucial runs for the Dodgers. His performance was a major highlight in his first regular-season MLB game on home soil.

On the pitching front, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, also of Japan, started for the Dodgers and pitched five solid innings, allowing just one run and striking out four. Meanwhile, Cubs' starter Shota Imanaga, making his MLB debut, had a no-hit performance through four innings but struggled with control, issuing four walks against two strikeouts. The game marked a historic moment as the first time two Japanese starting pitchers faced each other on MLB's opening day.

The Dodgers' bullpen proved effective, with relievers like Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, and Tanner Scott, who secured his first save with a clean ninth inning. In contrast, the Cubs' relief pitching faltered, particularly in the fifth inning when Ben Brown surrendered three runs after a walk to Andy Pages, hits from Ohtani and Tommy Edman, and a critical error by second baseman Jon Berti.

Additional highlights included Will Smith driving in another run for the Dodgers in the fifth, and Teoscar Hernández singling in Ohtani in the ninth to provide an insurance run. The Cubs' offense, after a promising start, went cold, managing only three hits, all occurring in the second and third innings.

Notably absent from the Dodgers' lineup were Mookie Betts, sidelined due to an illness, and Freddie Freeman, scratched just before the game due to rib discomfort. Their absence underscored the Dodgers' depth, as they still managed to secure the win.

Looking ahead, the two teams will meet again at the same time (6:10 a.m. ET) on Wednesday. The Dodgers are set to give Roki Sasaki, their newest Japanese addition, his MLB debut against Cubs starter Justin Steele.

The game not only served as the opening for the 2025 MLB season but also highlighted MLB's continued efforts to expand its global presence, particularly in Japan, where baseball enjoys immense popularity. The series provides a platform to showcase Japanese talent on an international stage, featuring stars such as Ohtani, Yamamoto, Imanaga, and Seiya Suzuki.