Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers earned the first win of the 2025 MLB season by taking the opener of the Tokyo Series 4-1 over the Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers' newest Japanese star acquisition will be front and center in Game 2 as Roki Sasaki takes the mound for his MLB debut.
But will the lights in the Tokyo Dome be too bright and give the Cubbies some value as an underdog?
My Dodgers vs. Cubs predictions break it all down and bring you my MLB picks for this international showdown with first pitch scheduled for bright and early at 6:10 am ET on Wednesday, March 19.
Dodgers vs Cubs prediction
My Dodgers vs Cubs best bet: Cubs first 5-inning moneyline (+120 at BetMGM)
My analysis
The Japanese stars shone bright in the opener of the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series as Yoshinobu Yamamoto outdueled Shota Imanaga with Shohei Ohtani providing two hits and two runs in a 4-1 win for the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Chicago Cubs.
L.A. will try to start the season 2-0 by handing the ball to one of its big offseason acquisitions, Roki Sasaki. But it will be easier said than done as the Cubbies counter Sasaki with Justin Steele.
Steele is the Cubs’ co-ace alongside Imanaga. The 29-year-old left-hander has strung together three strong seasons in a row and 2024 was arguably his best yet. Steele pitched to a 2.74 expected ERA while limiting opposing hitters to a .303 expected slugging percentage. Both were in the Top 7% of MLB.
Steele hasn’t seen the Dodgers since 2023 but he did limit them to two runs on three hits while striking out eight over seven innings in April of that season. He also has solid numbers against current Dodgers hitters, holding them to a .233 expected batting average with a 24.4% strikeout rate.
The southpaw should be more than ready for this moment at the Tokyo Dome. But those lights might feel a little brighter for Sasaki.
The 23-year-old is already considered one of the best pitchers in Japanese history following four stellar campaigns in the NPB and now will make his MLB debut as a hometown hero.
Sasaki has a plus-fastball that averages about 98 miles per hour, a devastating splitter, and a solid slider for good measure. But putting those in action against big-league hitters is a different story. Just ask Yamamoto, who lasted just one inning in his MLB debut during the Seoul Series last season.
Ohtani has openly talked about how this has been the most nervous he has been to play a baseball game in a long time. So, just imagine what it feels like for the 23-year-old righty.
The Dodgers are favored for a reason and the talent of that lineup probably wins out over time. However, the Cubs have the edge in starting pitching in this matchup and I like the value with them to hold a lead through five innings.
Dodgers vs Cubs same-game parlay (SGP)
Cubs 5-inning result 3-way
Shohei Ohtani 2+ H+R+RBI
Roki Sasaki Over 1.5 walks
Even if Steele is successful in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, it doesn’t necessarily mean he will shut down Ohtani.
The now 3-time MVP started his campaign off with a bang, getting two knocks and scoring two runs. But should we have expected anything less from the two-way phenom in his return to Japan?
Now, lefty-lefty matchups are usually tough for hitters, but Ohtani had a solid .288 batting average with a .867 OPS when facing southpaws in 2024. Add him to combine for at least two hits, runs, and RBI in this one.
And let’s close this same-game parlay with Sasaki to go Over 1.5 walks. While he has some eye-popping stats from NPB, he isn’t immune to walks. He walked 2.6 batters per nine innings last season.
His adrenaline should be pumping in this matchup, and when you have a fastball that is as electric as his, it can get a little wild.
The Cubs also had the third-highest walk rate when facing right-handed pitchers in 2024 and should be trying to work the count against the Dodgers’ young starter.
You can profit boost this SGP by 30% at bet365!
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Dodgers vs Cubs odds
Dodgers vs Cubs live odds
Dodgers vs Cubs opening odds
- Moneyline: Los Angeles -155 | Chicago +130
- Run line: Los Angeles -1.5 (+105) | Chicago +1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Dodgers vs Cubs trend
The Dodgers and Cubs have played Over the total in eight of their last 10 meetings dating back to 2023. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Cubs.
How to watch Dodgers vs Cubs and game info
| Location | Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, JP |
| Date | Wednesday, 3-19-2025 |
| First pitch | 6:10 a.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Roki Sasaki (MLB Debut) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Justin Steele (2024 stats: 5-5, 3.07 ERA) |
Dodgers vs Cubs latest injuries
Dodgers vs Cubs weather
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