The Dodgers’ dominance of the Cubs continued Wednesday, as Los Angeles swept Chicago with a 6-3 win at the Tokyo Dome in Game 2 of the series. But the win didn’t come without some concern and controversy featuring two of Los Angeles’ Japanese stars.
Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers’ big offseason coup, made his debut with much fanfare, and while he hit triple digits in the first inning, his command was shaky. Sasaki pitched just three innings and was lucky to escape with only one run allowed; he walked five Cubs against three strikeouts, throwing just 25 of his 56 pitches for strikes.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ offense went at Cubs starter Justin Steele early, scoring two runs in the second inning on a passed ball and a sac fly by Kiké Hernández. Tommy Edman added the Dodgers’ first home run of the season in the third.
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But it was Shohei Ohtani’s home run in the fifth that raised questions, as a fan seemed to interfere with the ball, which ended up back on the field. The homer was reviewed and ultimately upheld.
The Cubs’ offense mounted a two-out threat in the bottom of the ninth, when Kyle Tucker doubled and Justin Turner walked. Matt Shaw hit a sharp grounder to short, and Miguel Rojas made a slick play to end the game.
Steele lasted four innings, allowing five hits, five runs and two home runs and striking out five.
Missing from the lineup again Wednesday were Dodgers MVPs Mookie Betts (illness) and Freddie Freeman (rib discomfort). Freeman said after Tuesday’s game that there was a “75 percent chance” he’d be in the lineup Wednesday, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team was being cautious, despite the first baseman feeling “much better than yesterday.”
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Now it’s back to spring training for seven more days. Twenty-eight of the league’s 30 teams will be in action for domestic Opening Day on March 27, including the Dodgers and Cubs, with the Rays and Rockies beginning their seasons the following day.
Fantasy baseball takeaways
Well, if you haven’t drafted in your league yet and have the No. 1 pick, these two games likely solidified your choice. Shohei Ohtani is 3-for-8 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and an RBI through two games in 2025. He’s batting a cool .400 to start the year.
The Dodgers’ exciting rookie pitcher, Roki Sasaki, didn’t have the incredibly raucous debut many hoped for; he pitched just three innings, walked five and allowed a run. First-game jitters? Sasaki is being drafted in the ninth round, and I don’t expect that to change based on this performance.
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The Dodgers sent out Tanner Scott to get their first save of the season Tuesday; they gave the ninth-inning ball to Alex Vesia for his first save on Wednesday. He came in after Kirby Yates — another closer-worthy reliever — slammed the door on the Cubs in the eighth. This late-game shuffling looks like it will be a headache all season for fantasy managers. Be ready to react in the moment on the waiver wire; Vesia has been drafted in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.
The Cubs battled a bit more in Game 2. Kyle Tucker got his first hit of the season, a double, while Michael Busch and Jon Berti both stole bases. The Cubs were eighth in stolen bases last season, so it’s good to see that carrying over into this season.
Popular rookie and breakout candidate Matt Shaw started both games for Chicago, collecting one hit and four strikeouts. It wasn’t an auspicious debut by any means, but at the very least, he looks to be locked into the Cubs’ third-base job. He’s worth a late-round flier. — Mo Castillo
Catch up below on all the updates from Game 2 on Wednesday in Tokyo:
AloJapan.com