MLB Tokyo Series – Dodgers vs Cubs: Roki Sasaki Debuts for LA (Mar 19)

• The Dodgers won Game 1 of the Tokyo Series over the Cubs 4-1
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched 5 innings in front of his home-country fans, allowing 1 run and striking out 4
• Fellow Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga pitched well enough for the Cubs allowing no runs in 4 innings, though he walked 4
• Shohei Ohtani was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored
• LA’s bullpen pitched 4 perfect innings

Sasaki Makes His Dodgers Debut in Tokyo

Roki Sasaki is a different type of Japanese import in that he’s joining MLB at such a young age. The 23-year-old began his career in the Japan Pacific League at 19 for Chiba Lotte. He comes armed with a 100+ mph fastball and an array of secondary pitches including a devastating split-finger.

As great as he looks and with the hype attached to him, there are always factors to consider with a successful transition. As much as any team, the Dodgers do their best to mitigate these challenges with extra rest, in-depth analysis, and monitoring of their players.

Obviously, there is no history between Sasaki and the Cubs.

LA’s batters have faced Cubs starter Justin Steele in the past. Tommy Edman spent much of his career in the NL Central with the Cardinals and faced the Cubs regularly. He is 4 for 10 against Steele with 1 double and no other extra-base hits. Max Muncy is 2 for 5 with a home run. Chris Taylor is 1 for 4 with a home run.

Chicago Counters With Former All-Star Justin Steele

Steele was an All-Star in 2023 and finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. In 2024, he missed time because left flexor tendinitis, but put up solid numbers in 24 starts. He has gotten blasted this spring. In 3 starts, he has a 9.35 ERA surrendering 14 hits and 9 runs — including 4 home runs — in 8.2 innings.

In the opening game, Chicago was limited to 3 hits by the combination of Yamamoto and LA’s bullpen. Kyle Tucker was 0 for 4 in his Cubs debut. Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson, and Miguel Amaya logged hits, the sole for extra bases being Amaya’s double. He drove in the Cubs’ lone run.

Dodgers vs Cubs Pick: Sasaki Will Dominate in His First MLB Start

Although Sasaki will understandably be nervous, his stuff is just too good to be denied in his first big league start. It will help him that the Cubs have never hit against him before. LA has had some success against Steele.

Since it is such an early opening series, neither starter should be expected to pitch more than 4-5 innings even if they are doing well. The Dodgers’ bullpen is very strong. They will return to the U.S. with a 2-0 record as they hit the ground running in their title defense.