Chicago Cubs in Tokyo: What to know about the series vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, including who — and how — to watch

In the week separating his final spring training start and taking the mound at the Tokyo Dome, Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga has plenty of time to envision how he might attack the first hitter to open the regular season in his home country.The anticipated matchup between the Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers will feature plenty of fanfare in Japan, where baseball is a lifeblood.

And what better way to begin the two-game series in front of expected sellouts of more than 50,000 than with Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani leading off in Tuesdays season opener against Imanaga.Obviously hes a great hitter, but theres multiple great hitters after him, Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry.

The key is having a balance of not focusing on him too much.Major League Baseball returns to the Tokyo Dome for the first time since 2019 with the two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Cubs focused effort in Japan has paid off on multiple levels with the additions of Imanaga and outfielder Seiya Suzuki in the last four years, a reflection of the increased resources invested in the baseball operations, business operations and ownership levels.Heres what else to know about the series.Cubs history abroadThe Cubs Sammy Sosa receives a bouquet of flowers from a kimono-clad Japanese woman before the season opener against the Mets on March 29, 2000, at the Tokyo Dome.

(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)The Cubs are playing in their third international series.

They were part of MLBs first overseas games when they faced the New York Mets at the Tokyo Dome to open the 2000 season.

The teams split the two-game series in front of 55,000 fans each night, with Sammy Sosa collecting two hits, including a double, in the Cubs 5-3 victory in Game 1.When I came to the plate ...

oh, my god, the place was crazy, Sosa recalled while in camp this spring as a guest instructor.

Its a long trip, but its a great trip.The Cubs initially were supposed to play in London against the St.

Louis Cardinals during the 2020 season, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the games to be canceled and delayed the start of the season.

The teams got another chance to head to England in 2023, splitting a two-game series at London Stadium.With their appearance this year in Tokyo, the Cubs will become the third major-league team to play multiple series in Japan, joining the then-Oakland Athletics (three times) and Seattle Mariners (two).Who to watch for on the CubsThe Cubs Seiya Suzuki flies out against the Dodgers in a spring training game at Sloan Park on Feb.

21, 2025, in Mesa, Ariz.

(Armando L.

Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)The Cubs Japanese stars, Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, will garner most of the attention.

Imanaga gets the opening-day start Tuesday in what should be an electric atmosphere at the Tokyo Dome.

Suzuki has an opportunity to show how he has become one of the games top sluggers as he enters his fourth season in Chicago.Left-hander Justin Steele is lined up to get the ball for Game 2.

Steele has been remarkably consistent since moving full time into the rotation, posting a 3.10 ERA and 134 ERA+ over the last three seasons.Kyle Tucker will make his Cubs debut after guaranteeing he wouldnt end spring training hitless when he homered Sunday to end an 0-for-20 start.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is setting up for a big season if he can become more of an offensive threat.

Coming off his third consecutive Gold Glove Award in left field, Ian Happs consistency should again prove valuable in the leadoff spot.Who to watch for on the DodgersThe Dodgers Shohei Ohtani calls time after hitting a double against the Diamondbacks during a spring training game on March 10, 2025, in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Matt York)The Dodgers bring a star-studded roster as they begin their World Series title defense.

No one is on Shohei Ohtanis level of fame and attention in Japan, but plenty of focus will be on his Japanese teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.The Dodgers bolstered the pitching staff in the offseason by signing lefty Blake Snell and relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates.

And their lineup is again poised to cause nightmares for pitchers, led by Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez.The schedule in JapanWednesday: Cubs arrive in Tokyo around 10:30 p.m.Thursday: Off dayFriday: Exhibition vs.

Hanshin Tigers, 10 p.m.

CT (Marquee)Saturday: Workout daySunday: Exhibition vs.

Yomiuri Giants, 5 a.m.

CT (Marquee)Monday: Workout dayTuesday: Season opener vs.

Dodgers, 5:10 a.m.

CT (Marquee, Fox-32)Wednesday: Game 2 vs.

Dodgers, 5:10 p.m.

CT (Marquee, FS1); Cubs depart for Phoenix postgameJapanese artist Takashi Murakami lends artwork to exclusive MLB collaboration ahead of Tokyo SeriesExhibition games against Nippon Professional Baseball teamsThe Hanshin Tigers Hidetoshi Ibaragi gives autographs to baseball fans during spring training in Ginoza village on Feb.

17, 2025.

(AP Photo/Hiro Komae)As part of the preparation for the two regular-season games, the Cubs and Dodgers will play exhibition games against Nippon Professional Baseballs Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants.

The Cubs likely will use one as a bullpen game to get their relievers work and the other to have two of their starters continue building up for the season.

Right-hander Jameson Taillon and left-hander Matthew Boyd are lined up to piggyback in an exhibition game.Obviously you never quite know until you get over there and make sure everyones healthy and whatever, but, yeah, one of the exhibition games is the plan, Taillon said Sunday after his final spring training start.

Im really excited.

That was kind of a goal of mine, just to pitch over there.

I didnt care against who, what, when, where, but just to get to take the ball over there was going to be very cool against a storied Japanese franchise in front of great fans.

I think its going to be awesome.How to watch Cubs-DodgersThe Tokyo Series will air nationally in the U.S.

on Fox for the first game and on FS1 for the second game, and Fox Deportes will air both.

The games also will be available on Marquee Sports Network, featuring Alex Cohen (play-by-play), Jim Deshaies (analyst) and Taylor McGregor (sideline).What happens after the series?Cubs manager Craig Counsell walks past players while the field is prepared for live batting practice during spring training at Sloan Park on Feb.

19, 2025, in Mesa, Ariz.

(Armando L.

Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)While the Dodgers will return to Los Angeles to continue preparing for the resumption of the regular season, the Cubs head back to Arizona after the Tokyo Series.

They will play three more Cactus League games on March 21-23 plus two exhibition games against the Atlanta Braves on March 24-25.After a day off, the Cubs resume the regular season with a four-game road series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, then play the Athletics in the first big-league series in Sacramento, Calif.Opening day, Parts 2 and 3A tough schedule to begin the season 15 of the Cubs first 21 games are on the road against National League West and American League West teams includes facing former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes in his Diamondbacks debut in the domestic opener March 27.The Cubs 26-man roster for the opener could look a little different than their active roster for Japan.

Most notably, second baseman Nico Hoerner is on track to be ready after staying back at the teams complex in Arizona to get at-bats in minor-league games as he recovers from flexor tendon surgery in October.The Cubs finally return to Chicago nearly two months after pitchers and catchers reported to Mesa, Ariz., for spring training for the home opener at Wrigley Field on April 4 against the San Diego Padres..

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