Introduction to the Tokyo Series
Background
For all the memorable cultural experiences they’d enjoyed off the field, and all the eye-opening revelations they’d made about the club’s growing popularity here in Japan, the baseball side of the Dodgers’ season-opening trip to Tokyo hadn’t gotten off to a seamless start. Mookie Betts was ruled out of action after arriving in Tokyo battling a stomach virus, and eventually forced to make an early return home to Los Angeles on Monday night after losing almost 15 pounds. Freddie Freeman was scratched from the Dodgers’ opening day lineup shortly before first pitch Tuesday night, after experiencing what the team termed as left rib discomfort following pregame batting practice.
The Game Begins
Early Struggles
And, after getting shut out in a Sunday exhibition against a Japanese team at the Tokyo Dome, the Dodgers began their regular season without a hit for the first four innings against Chicago Cubs ace — and star Japanese left-hander — Shota Imanaga, twice coming up empty in innings they drew two walks. But then, the defending World Series champions started doing exactly what their nearly $400-million roster was built to this season. They worked counts, strung together hits and manufactured runs. They leaned on dominant starting pitching, then a revolving door of reliable arms out of the bullpen.
Turning the Game Around
Auspicious Start
They absorbed an early one-run deficit, and flipped it in a matter of moments in the fifth inning. By the end of the night, it amounted to an auspicious start to a 2025 season of ambitious expectations, the Dodgers beating the Cubs 4-1 before a pro-Dodger crowd on the other side of the globe. Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani singles in the fifth inning for the team’s first hit of the game against the Cubs. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Cultural Significance
Pursuit to “Paint Japan Blue”
This week’s trip, of course, was always destined to be about more than just baseball. It was a culmination of sorts in the Dodgers’ pursuit to “paint Japan blue” — giving them an international platform to showcase their star Japanese trio of Shohei Ohtani, who was playing his first career MLB game back in his home nation; Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who squared off against Imanaga in the first all-Japanese opening day pitching matchup in major league history; and Roki Sasaki, who will make his big league debut in Wednesday’s Tokyo Series finale.
Off-Field Bonding
Team-Bonding Efforts
It was an opportunity for their new-look roster — which spent big again this winter in pursuit of a second straight championship — to grow closer off the field in foreign surroundings, with team-bonding efforts aided by a private sushi dinner organized by Ohtani, Yamamoto and Sasaki on Sunday night. It was also a chance for the sport to be celebrated on a global stage, with the influence of Japanese players in the majors — thanks in small no part to Ohtani, whose three MVPs have raised his celebrity level in Japan to unimaginable magnitudes — seemingly at an all-time high.
Conclusion
The Dodgers’ win in the Tokyo Series opener marks a significant start to their World Series title defense. With their strong roster and team bonding, they are poised for another successful season. The game was not just about baseball; it was also a celebration of the sport on a global stage and an opportunity for the team to grow closer off the field.
FAQs
Q: Who was ruled out of action due to a stomach virus?
A: Mookie Betts was ruled out of action after arriving in Tokyo battling a stomach virus.
Q: Who scratched from the Dodgers’ opening day lineup?
A: Freddie Freeman was scratched from the Dodgers’ opening day lineup shortly before first pitch Tuesday night.
Q: Who got the Dodgers’ first hit of the game?
A: Shohei Ohtani got the Dodgers’ first hit of the game with a single in the fifth inning.
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-1.
