Are the Dodgers best in all of MLB? Well, last year they were. But the story kinda changed in Japan when the Hanshin Tigers appeared to be the National League’s elite for the past two days. Their 3-0 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday at the Tokyo Dome completed a two-game exhibition sweep over MLB clubs, further demonstrating that Japanese baseball has never been stronger.
Well, this offseason, LA was making sure to get the best players to have a go at winning the trophy again. Their notable acquisitions include right-handed pitcher Blake Snell, left-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki, outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, LHP Tanner Scott, and Clayton Kershaw among others.
While the Dodgers may be winning in the US, the Chicago Cubs manager didn’t find their loss in Japan to be a surprise.
When asked if he was surprised to see such depth of talent in Japan, specifically in the Hanshin Tigers, Craig Counsell said, “No. I’m not surprised at all really. It’s a baseball game. A lot can happen. That’s why we play a whole bunch of games during the course of a season so no I mean the talent level is not surprising. I mean there was Major League talent on the other side. I mean no question about that obviously they beat us.”
After the 20-year-old lefty Keito Mombetsu pitched five perfect innings on Saturday, the Tigers defeated the Chicago Cubs 3-0 to begin the two-game sweep. Before Miguel Amaya hit a single through the infield in the sixth that narrowly missed the shortstop, no Cubs had advanced to base.
Well, when they experienced the Tigers’ power themselves, no wonder Counsell was not caught off-guard during the second exhibition game!
Now, that the preseason games are done, the MLB community is looking forward to Tuesday. The Cubs and the Dodgers in the Tokyo Dome – marking the start of the 2025 regular season.
The Tokyo Series marks the 10th time MLB has ventured outside the U.S. and Canada
Fans will be able to witness the action on a global stage, continuing a legacy that began all the way back in 1999 with the Rockies vs. Padres in Monterrey, Mexico. Since then, MLB has taken its opening games to locations like Tokyo, Puerto Rico, Sydney, Seoul, and South Korea. This time Tokyo Dome has certainly been a key location in bringing MLB to fans worldwide, especially with its history of hosting opening games in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019.
The Cubs and Mets were the first to grace the Tokyo Dome back in 2000, and since then, Japan has hosted a total of 10 regular-season games. The Dodgers, although new to playing in Japan, have had their share of international experiences, including series in Sydney and Monterrey, while the Cubs have already made waves in London in 2023.
For the Dodgers, playing in Japan might be a new adventure, but it’s just another chapter in their history of international exposure.
Whether it’s a trip to Australia in 2014, Mexico in 2018, or South Korea in 2024, the Dodgers are no strangers to global baseball. As for the Cubs, their 2000 Tokyo opener and their 2023 London Series are significant moments in their international legacy. Each of these teams brings a unique flavor to international baseball, and this upcoming Tokyo Series is sure to be another unforgettable experience for fans across the globe.
Excited?
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