The first pitch of the 2025 MLB regular season will have some international flair once again as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Chicago Cubs for a two-game set at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.
The atmosphere should be electric with this game full of outstanding Japanese talent, including superstar Shohei Ohtani. It also means it’s the first time we get to bet on MLB player props all year, and with a game full of stars, there's no shortage of options.
Here are my MLB picks and Dodgers vs. Cubs predictions, with first pitch set for a bright and early 6:10 am ET on Tuesday, March 18.
Dodgers vs Cubs props
Yamamoto Under 14.5 outs (-140 at DraftKings)
Tucker Over 0.5 RBI (+200 at bet365)- Edman Over 1.5 total bases (+110 at bet365)
Read full analysis of each pick.
Dodgers vs Cubs props
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Under 14.5 outs (-140 at DraftKings)
While these Tokyo Series games will count like any other regular-season game for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, don’t expect either starter to be pushed too hard.
Teams are generally still stretching their starters out when the regular season arrives, and since it’s a long season, going more than five innings pitched in the first few outings tends to be rare. Shocker, both Shoto Imanaga and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have an outs recorded prop sitting at 14.5.
And if you look at the Seoul Series from last season, which also featured the Dodgers, that time taking on the Padres, only one of the four starters over two games reached five innings pitched. The only one who did was Tyler Glasnow, who made it through five innings exactly.
One of the guys who started in the Seoul Series will be on the mound for the Tokyo Series opener: Yamamoto.
Injuries hampered his first season with the Dodgers, limiting him to 18 starts. When he was on the mound, the 26-year-old right-hander was solid, pitching to a 3.44 expected ERA, but allowed a middling .237 expected batting average to opponents and averaged five innings pitched per start.
Yamamoto pitched well in two starts against the Cubs last season, but considering his injury history, I expect the Dodgers to have a short leash with him. I also think the Cubs lineup will be improved now that Kyle Tucker anchors it.
Give me the Under 14.5 outs recorded for Yamamoto, who recorded just three outs in his debut in the Seoul Series a season ago.
Kyle Tucker Over 0.5 RBI (+200 at bet365)
Speaking of Kyle Tucker, I think sportsbooks are forgetting how good he is heading into his first season with the Cubs because the price on the outfielder to record an RBI in this first game is too good to pass up.
The Cubs made a big move to bolster their lineup this offseason by acquiring arguably the most overlooked superstar in baseball. Over the last four seasons, Tucker has hit .280 with a .888 OPS, 112 home runs, and 360 RBI while totaling a WAR of 20.9. He instantly becomes Chicago's best hitter, and I like him to start his Cubs tenure strong.
Tucker logged 90+ RBI in his first three full MLB seasons and was on pace to do so again in 2024, driving in 54 runs in an injury-limited 78 games. The guy just produces runs.
The lefty-slugger has also crushed right-handed pitching throughout his career, and 2024 was no different. The three-time All-Star hit .305 with a 1.082 OPS, and 33 of his 54 RBI came against righties before getting hurt.
Tucker should match up well against the right-handed Yamamoto, and I love this price for him to get his first RBI of the season in the opener at the Tokyo Dome.
Tommy Edman Over 1.5 total bases (+110 at bet365)
The Dodgers were dealt a blow for the Tokyo Series as Mookie Betts will be held out of both games with an illness. It’s bad enough they've considered sending him home early to recover.
While that’s a bummer for baseball fans, it does create a betting opportunity for us. The Dodgers are known for making big splashy moves, whether in free agency or via trade; however, one of the best under-the-radar moves they made last season was acquiring Tommy Edman.
Edman spent the first half of 2024 hurt with the Cardinals, and his Dodgers career got off to a bit of a slow start but came to life in the postseason. Edman hit .328 with a .862 OPS. He had hits in 12 of the Dodgers' 16 postseason games and scored 12 runs.
With Betts out, expect Edman to hit near the top of the Dodgers lineup, meaning he’ll have plenty of protection from the likes of Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and so on (Shohei Ohtani should lead off).
Edman also has some previous success against Cubs starter Shota Imanaga. Edman is 2-for-3 in his career against the Cubs’ southpaw, with both hits leaving the yard. That’s good for a .364 expected batting average and a 1.220 expected slugging.
He should get some pitches to hit, and I suspect he'll take advantage.
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