Opening day is here. It’s a little bit early this season for the Cubs as they begin the 2025 campaign in Tokyo against the mighty Dodgers. Expectations have gone up on the North Side with the acquisition of slugging outfielder Kyle Tucker in an off-season trade with the Astros and the continued development of Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field.
The Japan series is a homecoming for two of Chicago’s most important pieces, Seiya Suzuki and Shu014dta Imanaga, both of whom were excellent in 2024. Imanaga joins Justin Steele at the top of a rotation that should have more depth in 2025.