Dodgers triumph over Cubs in MLB season opener in Tokyo

In Tokyo, Japan, Major League Baseball's season opener featured the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers facing off against the Chicago Cubs. The matchup was historic as it marked the first all-Japanese starting pitching duel on opening day in MLB history, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting for the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga for the Cubs. Yamamoto delivered an impressive performance, throwing five innings in which he allowed only one run on three hits while striking out four. Imanaga also had a strong start, throwing four scoreless innings despite walking four batters. The game was marked by a pivotal moment in the fifth inning when the Dodgers capitalized on a couple of mistakes by the Cubs. After being held hitless for the first time through the order, the Dodgers erupted with a three-run inning, partially aided by a throwing error from Cubs second baseman Jon Berti. Notably, Tommy Edman and Will Smith contributed with key RBI singles that helped swing the momentum toward the Dodgers. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani made critical contributions with two hits, including leading the ninth inning with a double, and scored twice during the game. Chicago began the game with a lead after Miguel Amaya's two-out double drove in Dansby Swanson in the second inning, putting the Cubs ahead 1-0. However, the Dodgers quickly regrouped, not allowing the Cubs any hits after the third inning. Their pitching staff, which included Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, and Blake Treinen, collectively managed an impressive streak of retiring 16 batters in a row from the third to the eighth inning. The only challenge they faced in that stretch was when Treinen hit Berti with a pitch in the eighth, breaking the streak. Tanner Scott later earned his first save of the season, sealing the victory for the Dodgers at 4-1. The win did not come without setbacks for the Dodgers, as first baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched from the lineup due to discomfort, and shortstop Mookie Betts was also unavailable due to illness. This opener was a memorable occasion for Japanese fans and players alike, with Roki Sasaki set to make his MLB debut for the Dodgers in the follow-up game against Justin Steele of the Cubs the next day.