The Los Angeles Dodgers landed in Japan on Thursday afternoon (local time) ahead of beginning the regular season with two games against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome.
It marks the second consecutive year the Dodgers will start with an international series, having opened the 2024 season against the San Diego Padres in South Korea.
Excitement couldn’t be higher for the Tokyo Series as the Dodgers roster will feature three of the biggest Japanese baseball stars in Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. Manager Dave Roberts was also born in the country and couldn’t be more thrilled to return.
“Excited. I think we got a little taste of Asia as far as last year in Seoul. This is a really good opportunity for us to bring our game, certainly our Japanese players to their home country, with another great organization in the Cubs,” Roberts recently said.
“I think it’s great for baseball. We are thrilled and honestly, I’m looking forward to our players being received from the fans in Tokyo, in Japan. They’re just great, generous people, kind. We’re going to eat some great food, too.”
Before the Tokyo Series gets underway, the Dodgers will play exhibition games against the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers at the Tokyo Dome.
L.A. brought 31 players to Japan and all of them will be eligible to appear in the exhibition games. However, the team must pare down their roster to 26 players for the Tokyo Series.
How to watch Dodgers play in Japan
March 15: Dodgers vs. Yomiuri Giants
The Dodgers face the Giants at the Tokyo Dome on March 15 at 3 a.m. PT. The game will be televised live by SportsNet LA and available via MLB.TV. stream.
March 15: Dodgers vs. Hanshin Tigers
The Dodgers play their final exhibition game in Japan against the Hanshin Tigers on March 15 at 8 p.m. PT. The contest will be broadcast by SportsNet LA and MLB.TV.
March 18: Dodgers vs. Cubs
Yamamoto makes the Dodgers Opening Day start and squares off against fellow Japanese native Shota Imanaga of the Cubs.
First pitch is set for 3:10 a.m. PT on March 18 at the Tokyo Dome. The game will be broadcast nationally on Fox, with SportsNet LA and the Cubs’ regional sports network Marquee providing coverage as well.
Opening Day of the Tokyo Series can be streamed via MLB.TV in select markets.
March 19: Dodgers vs. Cubs
The Dodgers and Cubs conclude the Tokyo Series on March 19 at 3:10 a.m. PT. Sasaki is set to make his MLB debut and be opposed by Justin Steele on the mound.
The game will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 1, with SportsNet LA and Marquee Sports Network continuing to provide coverage.
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