Tokyo Showdown: MLB's Biggest Season Opener

The 2025 Dodgers & Cubs season kicked off with what might be the most significant opener in MLB history, and while we're all about Braves Country, we couldn't ignore this landmark series. With the Dodgers and Cubs bringing unprecedented star power to the Tokyo Dome, baseball's international showcase delivered record-breaking attendance, performance, and financial impact.

Breaking Down the Opener

The path to October began on foreign soil, and the opener immediately set records across multiple metrics.

The series concluded with Game 2 at the Tokyo Dome, where the Dodgers completed a sweep of the Cubs with a 6-3 victory in front of a sold-out crowd of 45,600 fans from around the globe.

Key moments from the record-setting game:

• Roki Sasaki made his highly anticipated MLB debut for the Dodgers in his home country, showcasing a 100 mph fastball

• Tommy Edman crushed the first home run of the 2025 season, giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead

• Kiké Hernández added a 2-run blast to left field, extending the Dodgers' advantage to 5-1

• Shohei Ohtani delivered a towering home run

• Cubs rookie Matt Shaw collected his first MLB hit and later scored on Dansby Swanson's RBI double

• The Tokyo crowd voiced their disapproval when the Cubs intentionally walked Ohtani late in the game