The Chicago Cubs have confirmed that Shota Imanaga will be their Opening Day starter in Japan, setting up a marquee matchup against Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cubs manager Craig Counsell stated that it was an obvious choice due to Imanaga’s outstanding performance in his rookie season. Imanaga, who pitched in the All-Star Game last year, will look to replicate his success in the upcoming Tokyo Series.
Imanaga’s teammate, Justin Steele, is projected to start the second game of the season at the Tokyo Dome. The Dodgers may have Roki Sasaki, a Japanese phenom, start Game 2 if he performs well in spring training. The matchup between Imanaga and Yamamoto will highlight the Cubs’ efforts to build their brand in Japan and the Dodgers’ status as a global powerhouse in MLB.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged the worldwide fan interest in the upcoming games, emphasizing the excitement of seeing Imanaga and Yamamoto face off on Opening Day. The presence of Japanese stars like Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki on both teams further adds to the anticipation for the Tokyo Series. With both teams boasting strong pitching staffs and international appeal, the games are expected to draw significant attention and showcase the growing popularity of MLB in Japan and globally.
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