[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] MLB Spotlight: Imanaga, Yamamoto to Start in the Season Opener in Tokyo
Ed Odeven 
Shota Imanaga (left) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (©KYODO)
Read the full story on SportsLook - [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] MLB Spotlight: Imanaga, Yamamoto to Start in the Season Opener in Tokyo
After winning 15 games in his debut season in MLB, Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga was named the team's starting pitcher for its season-opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cubs made the announcement on social media on Tuesday, February 18.
Several days earlier, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he will hand the Game 1 start to right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Yamamoto is also entering his second season in the major leagues.
Cubs president Jed Hoyer said it's a no-brainer for the Cubs to start Imanaga in the opener of the Tokyo Series on March 18.
"Obviously because we're going to be in Japan it makes total sense to have Shota going Game 1," Hoyer said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "I think it's going to be awesome, honestly. They're starting Yamamoto, we're starting Shota..."
Hoyer went on: "Fan interest worldwide is going to be off the charts. An awesome thing for the game of baseball. Dave Roberts and I were talking about that the other night — this is great for the game."
Imanaga 'Honored' to Start MLB Opener Against the Dodgers
Imanaga, a former Yokohama DeNA BayStars standout, was happy to be informed that he'll pitch against Yamamoto at Tokyo Dome.
"I believe I heard this will be the first time in MLB two Japanese pitchers face off in a series in Japan," Imanaga was quoted as saying by the Chicago Tribune.
Speaking at Chicago's spring training complex in Mesa, Arizona, he added, "I'm very honored and have to say that the reason the Japanese players are getting a lot of attention is because of all the Japanese players in the past who came before us and created this path. We're walking in their history. Thank you to all of them."
Angels Newcomer Kikuchi to Start MLB Opener
Veteran left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, who signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels in the offseason, will start the American League West club's season-opening game on March 27.
Kikuchi will pitch in the opener on the road against the Chicago White Sox, the Angels announced on Thursday, February 20.
How did the 33-year-old react to the news?
"I'm very honored, and I'll prepare well," Kikuchi told reporters in Tempe, Arizona, according to Kyodo News. He added, "I feel that the level and value of Japanese pitchers are on the rise."
Kikuchi continued: "I've always wanted to pitch on Opening Day. It's important to stay in the rotation all year. I hope to get off to a good start and try to stay fit to have at least 32 starts this year."
Pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros in 2024, Kikuchi made 32 starts and finished with a 9-10 win-loss record with a 4.05 ERA.
Continue reading the full story, which includes news items on boxing, basketball, volleyball and more, on SportsLook.
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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.
