The Los Angeles Dodgers are Major League Baseball’s biggest draw on both sides of the Pacific. MLB’s new Evil Empire has, along with the Chicago Cubs, been playing in the Tokyo Series since this weekend to sell-out crowds at the Tokyo Dome.
The four-day affair began with exhibition games between the Dodgers, the Cubs, and two of Japan’s most storied baseball franchises — the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants.
Altogether, the Cubs and Dodgers have five Japanese-born players on their rosters: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki of the Dodgers, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs. The Dodgers also have another Japan connection: manager Dave Roberts, who was born to a Japanese mother in Okinawa.
Now, the main event is set to begin as the Dodgers and Cubs open the MLB season on Tuesday. That big show is commanding a big price, with resale market tickets going for as much as $13,000.
That’s a pretty penny. Clearly, fans are banking on Shohei Ohtani & Co. putting on a good show.
The Dodgers’ Yamamoto is scheduled to get the start in Game 1 of the series against the Cubs’ Imanaga. Sasaki will make his MLB debut on Wednesday.
Oddly enough, the two-game series counts as Opening Day. But the Cubs and Dodgers will return to Arizona to continue spring training with the rest of the MLB. The “real” Opening Day starts on March 27.
How to Watch the Tokyo Series
Both games will be broadcast on Fox and FS1, airing at 6:10 AM Eastern/3:10 AM Pacific, as well as on the teams’ regional sports networks: Marquee (Cubs) and SportsNet LA (Dodgers).
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
Time: 6:10 AM (New York), 5:10 AM (Chicago), 3:10 AM (Los Angeles), 7:10 PM (Tokyo)
Probable Pitchers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Shota Imanaga
TV: Fox, Marquee, SportsNet LA
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
Time: 6:10 AM (New York), 5:10 AM (Chicago), 3:10 AM (Los Angeles), 7:10 PM (Tokyo)
Probable Pitchers: Roki Sasaki vs. Justin Steele
TV: FS1, Marquee, SportsNet LA
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