Mar 15, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) warms up before the game against the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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MLB Tokyo Series: Who will be the starting pitchers for Dodgers vs. Cubs?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs Shota Imanaga

Three of Japan’s top pitchers – Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Shota Imanaga – will get the chance to start in their home country during the highly anticipated MLB Tokyo Series.

The #TokyoSeries pitching matchups are set!

Game 1, Tuesday: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Shota Imanaga

Game 2, Wednesday: Roki Sasaki vs. Justin Steele pic.twitter.com/kl6d12bfly
— MLB (@MLB) March 13, 2025

The Cubs have officially named Imanaga as their Opening Day starter, while the Dodgers confirmed Yamamoto will take the mound opposite him in Game 1. In Game 2, Sasaki will make his MLB debut, facing off against Cubs ace Justin Steele.

MLB Tokyo Series Game 1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs Shota Imanaga

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will make his first Opening Day start in just his second MLB season. The Dodgers’ 26-year-old right-hander, who signed a massive 12-year, $325 million deal, posted a 7-2 record with a 3.00 ERA across 90 innings in 2024. Last postseason, he was a crucial part of the Dodgers’ rotation, proving he can thrive on the big stage. With a full year of MLB experience under his belt, he’s expected to take another step forward this season.

ALSO READ: Fans say ‘just stay home’ as Tokyo Series tickets reach shocking $20,000

Shota Imanaga will also make his first Opening Day start after an impressive rookie campaign in 2024. The 31-year-old left-hander finished with a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA in 173 1/3 innings, earning National League All-Star honors. Imanaga, well known in Japan for his time with Yokohama and his gold-medal performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting and fifth in Cy Young voting. His return to the Tokyo Dome will be a homecoming for fans eager to see him on the mound.

MLB Tokyo Series Game 2: Roki Sasaki vs Justin Steele

Roki Sasaki will make his much-anticipated MLB debut in Game 2. The 22-year-old right-hander was one of the most sought-after international free agents after a dominant four-year run with the Chiba Lotte Marines. In 2024, he went 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 111 innings in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). His elite splitter has already generated buzz, making his first MLB start one of the most exciting debuts in recent history.

ALSO READ: Watch: Roki Sasaki stuns in eye-popping spring training debut

Justin Steele will get the nod for the Cubs in Game 2, marking his second career Opening Day start. The left-hander has been one of baseball’s most reliable starters over the past three seasons, ranking seventh in ERA (3.10) among pitchers with at least 400 innings. In 2024, Steele posted a 5-5 record with a 3.07 ERA in 134 2/3 innings. He first emerged as a frontline starter in 2023, earning All-Star honors and finishing fifth in NL Cy Young voting. Despite missing time due to injury last season, his performance remained consistent with his breakout year.

Cubs

Dodgers

MLB Opening Day 2025

Roki Sasaki

Shohei Ohtani

Tokyo Series

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.