It is the primary of a two-game sequence and options 5 Japanese gamers. Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie Roki Sasaki pitch for the Dodgers whereas the Cubs have outfielder Seiya Suzuki and left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga.
The 2 MLB groups have been in Tokyo for a number of days, taking part in exhibition video games towards two Japanese groups — the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants.
All 4 exhibition video games had a capability crowd of roughly 42,000. An analogous environment is anticipated for the 2 MLB video games.
“Everyone’s very conscious of the sequence, that is evident for certain, greater than I really feel like it might be America,” Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell stated. “Extra persons are speaking about it, completely. That is an amazing feeling. The gamers love massive occasions, that is why we do that, that is why we like to do it.”
Listed here are 5 issues to know heading into the MLB opener:
All-Japanese pitching matchup
The primary recreation will function the primary all-Japanese pitching matchup on opening day in MLB historical past. Yamamoto will take the mound for the Dodgers towards Imanaga of the Cubs.
Yamamoto is getting into his second season with Los Angeles. He was 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA final season and was an necessary a part of the workforce’s World Sequence championship, with a superb efficiency in a Sport 2 win over the Yankees.
Imanaga was an All-Star final 12 months in his first season with the Cubs. The lefty completed with a 15-3 file and a 2.91 ERA in 2024.
The Dodgers will begin Sasaki within the second recreation on Wednesday night time.
Younger Cubs
Third baseman Matt Shaw is anticipated to make his massive league debut for the Cubs on Tuesday. Shaw is among the workforce’s high prospects and did sufficient this spring to earn the beginning nod.
Shaw was drafted with the No. 13 total decide in 2020 after taking part in school baseball at Maryland. He hit .284 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs final season, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A.
Different younger Cubs embrace third-year outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who hopes to take a giant step ahead after an encouraging second half of 2024. Rookie second baseman Gage Workman may additionally make his MLB debut in Tokyo.
Ailing Mookie
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts will not play in either game towards the Chicago Cubs due to an sickness that’s lingered for the previous week.
Supervisor Dave Roberts stated Monday that Betts is beginning to really feel higher however has misplaced practically 15 kilos and remains to be attempting to get rehydrated and acquire power. Roberts added that the eight-time All-Star may fly again to america earlier than the workforce in an effort to relaxation and put together for the home opener on March 27.
Miguel Rojas will begin at shortstop in Betts’ place.
What time is the Tokyo Sequence?
Set your alarm in case you’re planning to view the 2 Tokyo video games in america. Each video games being at 7:10 p.m. in Tokyo, which implies it will be a 6:10 a.m. get up name within the Jap time zone.
Many Cubs and Dodgers followers will really want some espresso. Begin time in Chicago is 5:10 a.m. whereas it is 3:10 a.m. in Los Angeles. The sport will air nationally on Fox.
Tokyo historical past
This marks the twenty fifth anniversary of the primary MLB common season video games performed in Japan. The New York Mets and Cubs performed a two-game set on the Tokyo Dome in 2000.
Since that sequence, MLB returned in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2019. The 2019 sequence featured the Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners, who celebrated the ultimate two video games of Ichiro Suzuki’s profession in his residence nation. Suzuki might be inducted into the Corridor of Fame this summer time.
It is the tenth time that MLB has performed common season video games in a spot outdoors the 50 states. The areas embrace Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia and final 12 months’s sequence in South Korea.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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