The 2025 MLB season is officially underway, with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers opening the year against the Chicago Cubs in a two-game Tokyo Series at the Tokyo Dome. The Dodgers secured a 4-1 victory in Game 1, and the series will conclude on Wednesday morning when the teams meet again.

The Dodgers were without two of their top hitters, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Betts fell ill in the days leading up to the game and was sent home to recover in the United States. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Betts will miss both games in Tokyo. Freeman was initially set to play but was scratched from the lineup shortly before the game due to discomfort in his left rib.

The game featured the first all-Japanese starting pitching matchup on MLB Opening Day. Dodgers’ right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Cubs’ left-hander Shota Imanaga both delivered strong performances. Yamamoto allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings. Imanaga threw four scoreless innings without allowing a hit but allowed four walks.

The Dodgers broke through in the fifth inning, scoring three runs off Cubs reliever Ben Brown. A throwing error by second baseman Jon Berti opened the door for the Dodgers, with Tommy Edman and Will Smith delivering RBI singles. Shohei Ohtani contributed to the rally with a single through the right side. Ohtani finished the game 2-for-5, including a double to lead off the ninth, eventually scoring his second run.

In Game 2 of the Tokyo Series, Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki will make his MLB debut, while left-hander Justin Steele will start for the Cubs in the series finale on Wednesday night.