After this season's opening series in South Korea featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Major League Baseball has apparently decided to run it back for a second consecutive year. This time, in Japan, it will be the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs in 2025.
from @BNightengale "The Chicago Cubs and Dodgers have been privately informed they have been selected to open the 2025 season in Tokyo." Cubs expected to return to AZ after Japan series and open domestic season on West Coast, Bob adds.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) March 24, 2024
It makes sense to open domestically on the west coast for the Cubs, traveling to Japan would put them at a competitive disadvantage if they were to have to start in the Midwest for example.
One drawback could be the interruption in Spring Training evaluation. It will be interesting to see how they will prepare for that.
The Cubs could benefit from the exposure of playing in front of the Japanese fans. With the additions of Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki the past couple seasons, it would make for a fun homecoming for the two as they face fellow Japanese players Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The last time the Cubs appeared in Japan was against the New York Mets at the Tokyo Dome in 2000. The Cubs would go on to win the opener 5-3. One would hope that playing in Japan will be a good luck charm as a result.
3/29/2000: In an #OpeningDay game between the #Cubs and #Mets in Japan, Shane Andrews grabbed the honor of hitting the first homer in the 2000s. Just like everyone planned it. #CubTogether (via MLB) @bleedcubbieblue @BleacherNation pic.twitter.com/yDdTaO0bcL
— MLB Daily Dingers (@MLBDailyDingers) August 23, 2021
International exposure never hurts. In 2023, the club faced the St. Louis Cardinals for a series in London. By growing the brand across the pond, the Cubs could gain even more fans watching the product.
They could also improve their chances of luring future Japanese players into signing with them going forward. Anything that could grow the brand and relations should be a plus.
Depending on how the 2024 season goes, the Cubs could have an even better club heading into the 2025 season. All the more exciting for a potential matchup against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers.
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