The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up their first two wins of the fledgling 2025 season with a sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series despite the absences of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
While it’s only been two games, the strengths of this season’s Dodgers team have lived up to expectations. The backend of the bullpen looked as advertised, keeping the Cubs scoreless after the fifth inning in both games. And the Dodgers lineup product should cause opposing pitchers fits once again, with 10 runs, 14 hits and 15 walks in the series.
The most impressive aspect of the Dodgers’ offensive performance in the Tokyo Series games was they did it all without a pair of former MVPs in the lineup, as Betts was sent home early due to an illness and Freeman wasn’t available because of left rib discomfort.
“It’s huge. It speaks about the depth we have in our lineup and also how good our pitching is,” Kiké Hernández said. “We were able to win both games without throwing Tyler (Glasnow) or Blake (Snell), and obviously our bullpen isn’t necessarily complete. It just speaks volumes about our depth.
“Obviously it feels great because we won the series, but at the same time it’s just two games. We’re just glad we got off on the right foot and we’re really looking forward to getting home now.”
Max Muncy offered an equally valid observation, noting the Dodgers’ resiliency not even one day into the new season. The Dodgers faced a lot of adversity and dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout 2024, and that roster has largely carried over into this season. As a result, the group is battle-tested and hungry to defend their World Series title.
“It was good for us to see that. You get two gut punches before the season even starts; Mookie is not going to be able to play and then he’s not going to be here. And Freddie, 20 minutes before the game, whenever you guys found out is when we did as a team. That was a big gut punch, but that’s why we have the team that we have,” Muncy said.
“We’re built to withstand this kind of stuff. I think we proved that. We went out there and played two really good games, played solid defense, pitched, had some key hits. That’s really all you need to do.”
Dodgers will be ‘fluid’ with second base and center field
While most positions in the Dodgers’ defensive configuration are largely set in stone, the situation regarding the everyday second baseman and center fielder remain in flux.
Tommy Edman and Andy Pages started both games of the Tokyo Series at their respective positions, but that is not necessarily always going to be the case as the season progresses.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts anticipates both positions will be filled by committee over the course of the season, with Edman as the only everyday player among those who will be used at second base and center field.
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