4 facts about 2025 MLB Tokyo Series that might surprise you
The LA Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will kick off the 2025 MLB regular season with their two-game series which will be held at the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. Both teams have released promos for the exciting series, as this will mark the 25th anniversary since MLB regular-season games were first played in Japan.
This will be the second year in a row and the third time in Dodgers history to play overseas. To start the 2024 season, the Dodgers locked horns with the San Diego Padres in Seoul.
Let's take a look at four lesser-known facts concerning the 2025 Tokyo Series.
#1. First time four Japanese players will feature in Tokyo Series
One of the reason for MLB to select the Dodgers and the Cubs for the Tokyo Series was their rosters having Japanese talent. The Dodgers signed mammoth contracts with Shohei Ohtani (10 year, $700 million) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12 year, $325 million) last offseason.
On the other hand, the Cubs also feature Seiya Suzuki and newly signed Shota Imanaga on their roster.
#2. First time a player can call Tokyo Dome their hometown stadium
Among this four Japanese stars, 29-year-old Suzuki can call Tokyo Dome his hometown stadium since he was born and brought up in Arakawa City, Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Ohtani hails from Oshu, Iwate, Yamamoto from Bizen, Okayama and Imanaga from Kitakyushu, Fukuoka.
#3. Dodgers owner to sponsor 2025 Tokyo Series
Initially, MLB thought about keeping international games at Paris. However, with no sponsor reportedly coming forward, the league decided Tokyo as a destination after Global Investment and Advisory firm Guggenheim, who also has a majority stake in Dodgers ownership decided to become the presenting sponsor of the series.
This comes as no surprise since the Dodgers enjoy a good fan base in Japan especially after signing the likes of Ohtani and Yamamoto.
#4. Dodgers to play for the first time in Japan
This will be the first instance of the franchise playing an overseas game in Japan. Previously, they have played in three international fixtures, which includes 2014 in Sydney, Australia, 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico and 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.
For the Cubs, this will be their third international fixture in club's history. Previously, they have played two series overseas: the 2000 Tokyo Series and the 2023 London Series.