What We Learned from the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series

When Sasaki was posted by Chiba Lotte, I noted just how potent his splitter is coming out of the hand. While one may just see an inconsistent shaping profile, one thing I stated back in the winter was how different Sasaki’s splitter is from the norm. Rather than just a straight-down split, Sasaki’s splitter fits the “seam-shifted wake” model and tends to move to the glove side. almost like it’s cutting.

Now, did it induce induce a lot of whiffs? No. In fact, Sasaki got just one whiff off the 15 he threw, as the Cubs spit on the pitch. Many of his splitters were just non-competitive pitches, often missing too far to the arm side.

But, one could see — between the 97-98 MPH fastball, splitter, and deep slider — why the Dodgers (and many other MLB clubs) wanted Sasaki badly this winter.

How the Dodgers will align in situational matchups

Yes, the Dodgers didn’t have Mookie Betts, who lost roughly 15 pounds thanks to an illness and went back to the U.S. to recover. However, the Dodgers did give us some hints about what to expect in terms of lineup alignment

With Hyeseong Kim in Oklahoma City (AAA) and Tommy Edman working at second base, Andy Pages drew into the lineup twice. He faced the Cubs’ top two pitchers, Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele, both of whom are left-handed pitchers. Pages hit 13 home runs last season but excelled against lefties. He hit .357/.396/.520 (.917 OPS) against LHP in 2024.

Pages could be a beneficiary of Kim’s demotion, given the “fluid” situation between second base and center field. His first results were mixed, as he walked three times but also struck out four times

Another interesting plotline is how Dave Roberts will handle his bullpen over the late innings. Tanner Scott, to little shock, got the Dodgers’ first save opportunity and nailed it. Scott struck out one over one scoreless frame.

However, Alex Vesia got the ninth on the 19th, getting the Cubs’ top of the order. Kirby Yates, an All-Star closer, faced Dansby Swanson, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Carson Kelly, and Jon Berti in the eighth to get the hold.

It’s worth noting that Vesia was scheduled to face Kyle Tucker, the Cubs’ big left-handed batter. With a lot of good arms in that Dodgers bullpen, expect Roberts to be very situational when handling the late innings, much like in 2024.

Should we be concerned about the Cubs?

The short answer is no. The long answer is no — but a lot of weight will be on the team’s stars, who did not have a good run in Tokyo.

Seiya Suzuki struck out four times in Japan, tied with rookie Matt Shaw, who made his MLB debut in Tokyo, and the aforementioned Andy Pages for most during the series. Kyle Tucker went 1-8 (.125), while co-ace Justin Steele gave up two home runs in his start on March 19.

It’s only a two-game sample size, so there’s no cause for concern. But, one storyline to watch is how will the young bats gel in 2025. Shaw is a top prospect who did nothing but hit in the Minors. Pete Crow-Armstrong had an incredible spring, as he looked poised for a breakthrough. However, the two went a combined 1-16 with seven strikeouts.

The regular season is a different animal.

The Dodgers are still the heavy favorites

What’s crazy to believe is that the Dodgers didn’t roll out Tyler Glasnow or Blake Snell in the Tokyo Series, nor did Los Angeles have Mookie Betts.

And yet, the Dodgers handled business with ease.

The Dodgers, on paper, look better this year than in 2024. Los Angeles has an even deeper bullpen, a rotation with more than enough options, and a lineup filled with 20 and 30-home run hitters.

Against a team projected by some to win the NL Central, the Dodgers looked like the class of the league.