The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs with a 6-3 victory in the Tokyo Dome, part of the Tokyo Series. Despite missing key players like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers took an early lead against Cubs’ starter Justin Steele. Max Muncy’s double in the second inning set up the Dodgers for an early lead, with Kiké Hernandez’s sacrifice fly extending their lead to 2-0. Tommy Edman hit the first home run of the 2025 MLB season in the third inning, contributing to the Dodgers’ offensive effort. Rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki made his major league debut, giving up only one run in three innings but walking five batters.
The lone run off Sasaki came in the third inning when the Cubs’ Kyle Tucker walked with the bases loaded. The Dodgers continued to build their lead, with Hernandez hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Despite the Cubs responding with a run of their own in the same inning, the Dodgers maintained control of the game. Shohei Ohtani added to the Dodgers’ lead with a home run in the fifth inning, and despite a late run from the Cubs, the Dodgers held on for the win. Relief pitcher Landon Knack earned the win with two scoreless innings, striking out three Cubs hitters. Closer Alex Vesia shut the door in the ninth inning to secure the victory for the Dodgers.
With the Tokyo Series sweep, the Dodgers started their World Series title defense with a perfect 2-0 record. They will return to the United States to play more spring training games before resuming their regular season against the Detroit Tigers on March 27. The Cubs, on the other hand, will also head back to the U.S. for more spring training games before facing the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 27, looking to rebound from their 0-2 start. The Tokyo Series served as an exciting start to the 2025 MLB season, with the Dodgers showcasing their strength and depth despite missing key players.
The strong performances from players like Max Muncy, Kiké Hernandez, Shohei Ohtani, and rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki bode well for the Dodgers as they aim to defend their World Series title. The Cubs, despite starting with two losses, showed resilience and potential in their matchups against the Dodgers. The Tokyo Series provided fans with thrilling baseball action and a preview of what to expect in the upcoming season. Both teams will use the experience gained in Tokyo to prepare for their regular-season matchups as they aim for success in the 2025 MLB season.
Overall, the Tokyo Series served as a successful start to the 2025 MLB season, with the Los Angeles Dodgers showcasing their strength and depth in a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs. Despite missing key players, the Dodgers’ offense and pitching were impressive, securing two victories in Tokyo. The Cubs showed resilience and potential, despite starting the season with two losses, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. Both teams will use the experience gained in Tokyo to fine-tune their game and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead as they compete for success in the 2025 MLB season.
