The 2025 Major League Baseball season kicks off on Tuesday, March 18, in Tokyo with a match between the defending World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Chicago Cubs. The game will start at 6:10 a.m. ET, which translates to 5:10 a.m. in Chicago and 3:10 a.m. in Los Angeles. Early morning baseball for the American viewers!
Despite the early hour, this game marks the official start of the season, signaling the return of baseball.
To add some excitement to the early morning, let’s take a closer look at the pitching matchup:
Pitching matchup (based on last year’s regular-season stats):
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00) vs. LHP Shota Imanaga (15-3, 2.91)
This historic Opening Day features two Japanese starting pitchers facing off in Japan. Both Yamamoto and Imanaga had impressive rookie seasons in MLB last year, with Imanaga even making the All-Star team. Expect a competitive showdown between these two talented pitchers.
Our Prediction: Dodgers to cover -1.5 (+110)
While predicting baseball games can be challenging, the Dodgers are the stronger team in this matchup, even without Mookie Betts. Opting for the run line can provide better odds, especially considering that one-run games are less common. We believe the Dodgers have what it takes to secure a victory.
Our Play: Over 7.5 runs (-118)
The Tokyo Dome’s dimensions favor hitters, and we anticipate a high-scoring game. Both teams possess power hitters who can take advantage of the shorter field dimensions. With Imanaga’s tendency to give up fly balls, the stage is set for a potentially high-scoring affair.
We’re looking at a 5-3 game, which doesn’t seem overly ambitious in terms of scoring. Let’s consider another player prop:
Our Play: Tommy Edman over 1.5 H+R+RBI (-135)
Edman, known for his strong performance against left-handed pitchers, is expected to contribute to the Cardinals’ offense. Facing a lefty in Imanaga, Edman has a history of success and could be a key player in driving runs home. A solid performance from Edman could help secure this wager.
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