Anticipation is building for the 2025 Tokyo Series between Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
Here are 10 things you need to know about the series before the two clubs take the field next week.
What is the Tokyo Series? The 2025 Tokyo Series is MLB’s latest MLB World Tour event, which helps spread baseball internationally. In an attempt to continue to grow the game globally, MLB teams play in front of baseball fans in other countries.
Where is this year’s Tokyo Series? This year’s Tokyo Series will occur at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyo, Japan. The Tokyo Dome is the home stadium of Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yomiuri Giants.
When Are the Games? The Tokyo Series kicks off the 2025 MLB regular season with games on Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19. Both games start at 6 a.m. EDT and affect each team’s regular-season records.
Where Can I Watch the Tokyo Series on TV? If you plan on starting your weekday mornings with baseball, tune in to FOX on March 18 and FOX Sports 1 on March 19.
What’s Happening Before the Series? Before the Cubs and Dodgers meet, they’ll play two exhibition games each against teams from NPB at the Tokyo Dome. The Dodgers will play the Yomiuri Giants on March 15 at 6 a.m. EDT, and the Hanshin Tigers later at 11 p.m. EDT. The Cubs take on the Tigers on March 14 at 11 p.m. EDT and the Giants on March 16 at 6 a.m. EDT.
Was there a Tokyo Series Last Season? No, there was no MLB Tokyo Series in 2024. MLB has hosted regular-season games in Japan in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019. The A’s and Seattle Mariners played a two-game series at the Tokyo Dome in 2019.
Has Either Organization Played in Japan? The 2025 Tokyo Series will be the first time in franchise history that the Dodgers play an MLB game in Japan. The Cubs took part in Japan’s first MLB regular-season games, splitting a two-game series with the New York Mets in March 2000.
Are Each Club’s Rosters Announced? Neither team has officially announced their rosters for the Tokyo Series, but big names are taking the field.
Who Are the Star Players in the Tokyo Series? For the Dodgers, everyone will be watching Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Tuesday that Yamamoto and Sasaki, both former NPB stars, will start for the team on the mound for the two games. For the Cubs, the key players to watch are Japanese starting pitcher Shota Imanaga, budding star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, and the club’s No. 1 prospect on MLB Pipeline, Matt Shaw. On Tuesday, manager Craig Counsell announced on the Marquee Sports Network that Shaw would travel with the team to Japan.
Why Are These Games Important? Now, more than ever, baseball is a global game. Fans in Japan are eager to see hometown players like Ohtani and Imanaga but also want to see the MLB product. The Tokyo Series is unlike any other MLB series throughout the regular season. There’s potential for a playoff-like atmosphere. Set your alarms.
