As the 2025 MLB season inches closer to its full launch, the Los Angeles Dodgers are making an emphatic statement: they mean business. With Opening Day just around the corner, the Dodgers have already flexed their dominance, sweeping the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo and showcasing the firepower that makes them one of the favorites to contend for the World Series.
Tokyo Takeover: A Statement to the League
The Dodgers’ trip to Japan for the season-opening series against the Cubs was nothing short of spectacular. With the eyes of the baseball world watching, Los Angeles delivered two decisive wins, proving that their offseason acquisitions and high-profile roster are more than just hype.
In the second game of the series, Shohei Ohtani, MLB’s biggest star and the face of the Dodgers’ championship aspirations, crushed a home run, electrifying the Tokyo Dome crowd. It was the perfect way to cap off a series that saw the Dodgers outscore the Cubs 16-6 across both games. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman also contributed offensively, while the pitching staff, led by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, kept the Cubs’ bats in check.
Perhaps the most exciting debut was that of Roki Sasaki, the 22-year-old Japanese phenom who made his first MLB appearance in front of a home-country crowd. Though he showed some control issues, his electric fastball and high strikeout potential were on full display.
Offseason Moves Paying Off Early
The Dodgers’ offseason was one for the ages, highlighted by their record-breaking $700 million contract with Ohtani. But he wasn’t their only addition. Yamamoto, a three-time Sawamura Award winner in Japan, joined the rotation on a 12-year, $325 million deal. The team also acquired Glasnow in a trade with Tampa Bay and locked up Teoscar Hernández to further strengthen the lineup.
These moves have already begun to pay dividends. Ohtani’s bat, even in limited early-season action, has proven game-changing. Yamamoto and Glasnow both showed flashes of ace potential. The Dodgers’ front office invested heavily in winning now, and through the first few games, that investment looks well-placed.
What’s Next for the Dodgers?
After wrapping up their Tokyo showcase, the Dodgers return to the U.S. for additional spring training before officially kicking off their home schedule. Their first matchup stateside will be against the Los Angeles Angels on March 23, setting up an exciting cross-town showdown.
Then comes the home opener on March 28 against the Detroit Tigers, where Dodgers fans will finally get to see their new-look squad in person. Given the way they’ve started, expectations are sky-high, and rightfully so.
A Season of Championship Aspirations
With a roster loaded with stars and depth across the board, the Dodgers have sent a clear message to the rest of Major League Baseball: they are not just contenders—they are the team to beat. Their early dominance, both at the plate and on the mound, suggests that this could be a season for the ages.
The real test begins on Opening Day in the U.S., but if their performance in Tokyo is any indication, the Dodgers are already in midseason form. The road to the World Series may be long, but Los Angeles is making it clear that they plan to be there at the end.
