Dodgers and Cubs Excited to Play in the Tokyo Series

Upbeat and thrilled for the opportunity to play ball in their homeland, Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki of the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers shared the spotlight on Friday, March 14.

Back in Japan for the upcoming Tokyo Series, the three players were the center of attention for a mid-afternoon press conference that attracted an estimated 300 media members, an MLB official said. It was held at a large ballroom at Tokyo Dome Hotel.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had a separate press conference following the players'.

Asked about the opportunity to open the 2025 MLB season against the Chicago Cubs (March 18-19) in front of their home nation's fans, the three Dodgers expressed excitement.

A smiling Yamamoto, who will start Game 1, said, "I really feel the excitement of the country with the games being played here, so I obviously am looking forward to pitching in front of the fans as well. So I want to make sure I do my very best to do that."

Ohtani, now entering his eighth MLB season, considers the Tokyo Series a special event in his career ― and for his teammates, too.

"Additionally, I'm sure that my teammates are enjoying Japan right now," the 2024 National League MVP said, speaking right after Yamamoto. "And I hope they continue to do so, but also I hope that the fans get to see my teammates enjoy Japan."

Insights from Dodgers Newcomer Sasaki

Dodgers fireballing newcomer Sasaki, who pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2021-24, described his focus for the Tokyo Series in a different way than his veteran teammates.

"I was literally in Japan up until a few months ago," Sasaki, 23, told the news conference. "So for me it's more about just being able to pitch in this different uniform and [with] a different team and make sure that I do perform at my best."

Sasaki will start Game 2 against Cubs lefty Justin Steele (5-5, 3.07 ERA, 24 starts in 2024).

Impressive Representation of Japanese Baseball Talent

Asked by a reporter to comment on the fact that a combined five Japanese players are on the Dodgers and Cubs rosters and if this "feels like a golden generation for Japanese baseball," Ohtani provided a thoughtful response.

"It's hard to tell if this is the golden age for Japanese players here in the United States, because I know there's been a lot of Japanese players that came before me," Ohtani said. "But having five [for the Tokyo Series] is a big deal, and it's truly a big deal."

Roberts Outlines His 2025 Ambitions for the Dodgers

It's no secret. Roberts wants to guide the Dodgers to another World Series title in 2025. He said as much in front of the large throng of reporters from both sides of the Pacific Ocean on Friday afternoon.

Roberts kicked off his press conference by saying his emotions are "excitement, joy and gratitude" to be back in Japan for his team's opportunity to play in the Tokyo Series.

Seconds later, he said, "We are going to be very good [this season]. We have a lot of talented players and it was a great offseason, acquiring Roki. And for me, I just think that spring training has been a great learning experience for Roki and I expect him to do great things for us this year."

For the Okinawan-born skipper, the significance of the season-opening games against the Cubs carries two meanings.

"It's two out of 162 [games], but there's a lot of significance playing here in Tokyo," Roberts said before adding, "it's an opportunity for the Dodgers and the Cubs and Major League Baseball to come to the great city of Tokyo and play a couple ball games.

"So in one sense, it's just two baseball games. But in a global sense, it's really important and it's a big opportunity for all of us."

Roberts' Expectations for the 2 Games Against the Cubs

What are Roberts' expectations for the Dodgers against the Cubs?

"I expect us to play good baseball, I expect us to pitch well," the longtime LA skipper said then added, "I expect us to play good defense and take good at-bats…"

Added Roberts, "I know guys are excited to see how Shohei and Yamamoto and Roki are received by their people. Most of our players haven't been to Tokyo or Japan, so they're just all excited to try a bunch of different foods and see as much of Tokyo as they can."

Hopes for Ohtani Against the Cubs

Looking ahead to the MLB series next week, Roberts noted that Ohtani is scheduled to be LA's designated hitter in both games.

"I just hope he takes 10 good at-bats and we'll see what happens," Roberts commented.

Weekend schedule at Tokyo Dome

The Cubs and NPB's Hanshin Tigers meet in an exhibition game on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 12 PM.

On Saturday evening, the Dodgers and Yomiuri Giants square off at 7.

The Dodgers and the Tigers are penciled in to play at noon on Sunday, followed by the Cubs and Giants at 7 PM.

Roberts said he planned to utilize a bullpen day on Saturday versus the Giants, which would give numerous LA pitchers an opportunity to play.

For Sunday's contest, the Dodgers skipper said he would start left-hander Blake Snell (5-3, 3.12 ERA, 30 starts in 2024) and call upon Tyler Glasnow (9-6, 3.49, 22 starts in '24) to pitch after him.

*Chicago Cubs teammates Shota Imanaga (left) and Seiya Suzuki attends a news conference on March 14. (SANKEI)*

Cubs Express Thoughts on Upcoming Games

Chicago southpaw Shota Imanaga told reporters during a Friday news conference that he's looking forward to the challenge of beginning the 2025 season against the Dodgers.

"I'm in good shape both physically and mentally," Imanaga was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "They have a lot of great players. The Dodgers can score runs from anywhere in their lineup, so I'll try not to let my guard down."

Imanaga is coming off a superb MLB rookie season in which he went 15-3 in 29 starts, finishing with a 2.91 ERA with 174 strikeouts in 173⅓ innings.

Cubs dugout boss Craig Counsell, who's entering his second season at the helm, said he's fired up about the weekend games against Hanshin and Yomiuri.

"We're thrilled to be able to play two Japanese teams," Counsell told reporters. "That is just fascinating for us to see [a] different style of baseball, to learn about the stadium, to play in front of the fans for a couple days."

Looking at the bigger picture at the team's ultimate goal this season of winning the World Series, Counsell had this to say about Imanaga and Japanese outfielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki: "The Chicago Cubs need Shota and Seiya to be great players to accomplish what we want to accomplish."

As a primary goal, Suzuki, who batted .283 with 21 home runs and 73 RBIs in 132 games in 2024, wants to be healthy this year.

"I've been sidelined by injuries every year since I joined the Cubs," Suzuki said, according to Kyodo News. "So I want to have an injury-free season, help the team defeat great rivals and eventually become a World Series champion."

Follow baseball coverage throughout the year on SportsLook.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.