Ohtani completed with two hits within the Dodgers’ win, together with a single within the fifth and a double within the ninth. Each hard-hit balls introduced roars from the roughly 42,000 followers at a packed Tokyo Dome and have been instrumental in serving to the Dodgers get off to a very good begin this season.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shohei nervous,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “One thing I did notice is how emotional he got during the Japanese national anthem. That was something very telling.”
Yamamoto pitched 5 high quality innings to earn the win, giving up only one run on three hits and a stroll whereas hanging out 4. The proper-hander’s fastball touched 98 mph and persistently sat within the 96-97 vary, which is a number of ticks greater than final yr.
It was the primary time Yamamoto had been on the mound in an everyday season recreation since his implausible efficiency in Sport 2 of the World Collection, and the outcomes carried over to the Tokyo Dome
Chicago Cubs beginning pitcher Shota Imanaga, heart proper, poses for photographs with followers after the workforce’s MLB Japan Collection baseball recreation towards the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (AP Photograph/Hiro Komae)
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“What I experienced in October, I learned a lot of things,” Yamamoto mentioned by means of a translator. “What I should and what I shouldn’t do in certain situations. Based on that, I feel more confident.”
Yamamoto mentioned he wasn’t making an attempt to overthrow on his fastball. As a substitute, he mentioned higher mechanics have allowed him to throw slightly tougher. Roberts mentioned there’s no purpose the 26-year-old can’t compete for the NL Cy Younger award if he pitches like he did towards the Cubs and stays wholesome.
“Great outing, I thought he commanded the baseball really well tonight,” Roberts mentioned. “The fastball was as good as we’ve seen. Competed really well. There was some soft contact in there and he just navigated the game really well.”
Even in a dropping effort, Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga was implausible by means of 4 scoreless innings, giving up no hits whereas strolling 4. The Imanaga vs. Yamamoto matchup was the primary all-Japanese beginning pitching duel on opening day in MLB historical past.
“Imanaga and Yamamoto did a really good job handling the nerves of the start of the game,” Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned.
Imanaga mentioned he was happy along with his outing, even when the ultimate outcome wasn’t what he needed. The lefty retired Ohtani twice, as soon as on a groundout and one other time on a lineout. He mentioned the expertise from Tuesday’s recreation ought to serve him effectively all through the season.
“One of the lessons regarding the fastball was it felt really good,” Imanaga mentioned by means of an interpreter. “Once I go back to the US — obviously there’s differences in humidity, environment and how far the ball goes — but bottom line if I can throw the fastball I did today all the time and have confidence in it, I’ll be good.”
The one Japanese participant who had a quiet evening was Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki, who completed 0 for 4 on the plate. With a runner on second within the eighth inning, he hit the ball pretty laborious, however Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy was there to snag the road drive.
Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki will make his MLB debut on Wednesday evening when the groups meet towards on the Tokyo Dome for the finale of the two-game set.