• Economy
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Editor’s Pick
Market Gains Updates
Sports

Ohtani homers, Dodgers sweep Cubs to open season in Tokyo: Highlights

by March 19, 2025
by March 19, 2025

The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers picked up right where they left off last fall, sweeping the Chicago Cubs in MLB’s season-opening Tokyo Series.

Reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani delighted a sellout crowd at the Tokyo Dome by hitting his first home run of the year as the Dodgers defeated the Cubs 6-3 in the finale of the two-game set.

MLB 2025: 100 Names to Know for the new baseball season

STADIUM RANKINGS: MLB’s ballparks from 1 to 28*

The game also featured 23-year-old right-hander Rōki Sasaki making his MLB debut on the mound in his home country, giving the Dodgers a trio of Japanese stars alongside Ohtani and Tuesday’s winning pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

After Wednesday’s game, the teams will come back to the United States and get ready for the domestic opening day on March 27.

Here are the highlights from Wednesday’s action.

Happy flight: Dodgers sweep Cubs in Tokyo Series

The Dodgers take game two of the Tokyo Series and sweep the Chicago Cubs. Alex Vesia closed out the ninth inning to earn the save as the Dodgers beat the Cubs 6-3.

Shohei Ohtani intentionally walked

With a runner on second base and first base open and two outs, Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked by Julian Merryweather in the seventh inning –– and the fans at the Tokyo Dome were not happy about it. It turned out to be a good move. Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw threw out Tommy Edman on a diving play and saved a run to close out the inning.

Cubs cut deficit to 6-3

Trying to stem the momentum from Shohei Ohtani’s majestic home run in the top of the fifth, the Cubs got a run back in the bottom of the inning against Dodgers reliever Jack Dreyer, who was making his MLB debut.

With two outs and no one on base, rookie Matt Shaw hit a grounder that deflected off Dreyer’s glove for an infield single. Dansby Swanson followed that with a double into the left field corner to score a sliding Shaw and bring the Cubs back to within three runs.

Shohei Ohtani slugs first home run of the season

After the Cubs clawed back a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Ian Happ, Shohei Ohtani gave the Tokyo Dome crowd what it came to see.

Facing Cubs reliever Nate Pearson, Ohtani turned around a 99.1 mph fastball and launched a high fly ball to right center. As the outfielders retreated to the warning track, a fan reached out and deflected the ball back onto the playing field.

The initial call of a home run went to replay, which confirmed the first homer and RBI of Ohtani’s 2025 season.

He led the National League a year ago in both categories with 54 home runs and 130 RBI.

Rōki Sasaki’s major league debut is over

Rōki Sasaki’s MLB debut is done after three innings: 1 run, 1 hit, 5 walks, 3 strikeouts, 56 pitches. He hit 100 mph several times, but struggled with command, walking one run in. Luis Garcia takes the mound for the Dodgers in the fourth inning.

Dodgers extend lead with another home run

After the Cubs scored on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the third inning, the Dodgers responded again in the fourth. Kiké Hernandez slugged a two-run home run off Justin Steele to extend the lead to 5-1.

Tommy Edman launches 2025 season’s first homer

One thing missing from Tuesday’s season-opener in Japan was the opportunity for fans at the Tokyo Dome to celebrate a home run.

Dodgers second baseman Tommy Edman checked that box in the top of the third inning when he launched a high fly ball into the left field seats off Cubs southpaw Justin Steele.

Edman was traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline last season, but didn’t make his season debut until August as he recovered from offseason wrist surgery. Against left-handed pitchers last year, Edman was 14-for-34 (.412) with four home runs and an .882 slugging percentage.

Dodgers get on the board first, lead 2-0

After taking the first game of the Tokyo Series, the Dodgers got a jump on a potential sweep with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning.

Catcher Will Smith led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Max Muncy. The runners advanced and the Dodgers took the lead on a passed ball by Cubs catcher Carson Kelly. And L.A. added a second run when Kiké Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to center, briging Muncy home.

Rōki Sasaki hits 100 in his first MLB inning

Making his first start in the majors in front of his home fans, Dodgers pitcher Rōki Sasaki lived in the upper 90s with his fastball. He even hit the 100 mph mark on a pair of pitches in the opening inning.

Sasaki recorded his first MLB strikeout when he got countryman Seiya Suzuki on a foul-tipped 99.3 mph fastball.

Dodgers-Cubs starting lineups

Here are the batting orders for the second game of the Tokyo Series:

Los Angeles Dodgers

  • DH Shohei Ohtani
  • 2B Tommy Edman
  • RF Teoscar Hernandez
  • C Will Smith
  • 3B Max Muncy
  • 1B Kiké Hernandez
  • LF Michael Conforto
  • SS Miguel Rojas
  • CF Andy Pages
  • SP Rōki Sasaki

Chicago Cubs

  • LF Ian Happ
  • DH Seiya Suzuki
  • RF Kyle Tucker
  • 1B Michael Busch
  • 3B Matt Shaw
  • SS Dansby Swanson
  • CF Pete Crow-Armstrong
  • C Carson Kelly
  • 2B Jon Berti
  • SP Justin Steele

What time is Dodgers vs. Cubs Tokyo Series game?

First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

How to watch Dodgers vs. Cubs Tokyo Series game

The second game of the Tokyo Series is on Fox Sports 1 and streaming via Fubo.

Tokyo Series TV channel

Wednesday’s game is airing on Fox Sports 1.

Dodgers vs. Cubs pitchers: Rōki Sasaki, Justin Steele

RHP Rōki Sasaki, Dodgers: The Dodgers’ prized winter addition makes his MLB debut in his home country. Sasaki, 23, had a 2.10 ERA in 64 games with Chiba Lotte, tacking up 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

LHP Justin Steele, Cubs: The 29-year-old had a 3.07 ERA in 2024, a year after finishing fifth in NL Cy Young voting.

Tokyo Dome dimensions

It’s 328 feet down the lines and 400 feet to center field at the Tokyo Dome.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Amazon AI scammers duped investors out of millions with ‘passive income’ scheme, FTC alleges
next post
Odds for First Four women’s March Madness games: Who will win?

You may also like

Inter Miami visits New England Revolution: Will Messi...

July 8, 2025

Chelsea tries to earn spot in Club World...

July 8, 2025

The five best additions to EA Sports College...

July 8, 2025

The billionaire booster that has plan to save...

July 8, 2025

Players call out pay scale as WNBA growth...

July 8, 2025

James Cook, Bills motivated to get extension done

July 8, 2025

Full-Season All-Stars: Most deserving starters based on last...

July 8, 2025

ESPN, Dan Orlovksy agree to contract extension

July 8, 2025

‘Oh, man, everybody saw that’: DQ’d hot dog...

July 8, 2025

Tyrese Haliburton to miss next season with Achilles...

July 8, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News And Articles.

    Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

    Top News

    Is a Chinese chain’s blood orange cold brew...

    July 7, 2025

    Is a Chinese chain’s blood orange cold brew...

    July 7, 2025

    Essence Fest leads a summer of events for...

    July 4, 2025

    Tariffs and weaker beer demand are weighing on...

    July 3, 2025

    Microsoft laying off about 9,000 employees in latest...

    July 3, 2025

    • About us
    • Contacts
    • Email Whitelisting
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions

    Copyright © 2025 MarketGainsUpdates.com All Rights Reserved.

    Market Gains Updates
    • Economy
    • Investing
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Editor’s Pick