The Cubs began the 2025 MLB season in Tokyo against the best team in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chicago took an early lead but the defending champions went ahead for good in the 5th inning. Their pitching dominated from there, cruising to a win.
Shu014dta Imanaga pitched well in his first start of the season, working around an uncharacteristic four walks to keep LA off the scoreboard for the first four innings. The North Siders rallied to take the lead on ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Dansby Swanson singled and came around to score on a double by Miguel Amaya.