Who has the most formidable weapon in their arsenal, the LA Dodgers or the Chicago Cubs? The 2025 MLB series opener in Tokyo will answer this. The series starts on Tuesday, and the Dodgers and Cubs have reportedly arrived in Japan from their spring training bases in Arizona. While the Tokyo Dome is all ready to witness the rivalry, fans are also excited to see the opening roster from both teams. Remarkably, the Dodgers are playing in Japan for the first time. So, what could the opening lineup for the Dodgers and Cubs look like? 

Anything goes by with both teams, there will be fireworks from some of the best Japanese players in MLB. How? The LA Dodgers are set to field Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while the Cubs are placing Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki, to name a few.

Hence, a homeground away from their home for both teams, considering how they will get fanfare here in Tokyo. For the Cubs, Michael Busch, Jon Berti, and Matt Shaw are projected to lead the bases. The inclusion of Shaw is surprising, though. 

Shaw, the 13th overall choice in the 2023 MLB Draft, blasted 21 home runs and recorded an OPS of .867 last season, winning the Southern League MVP award. For pitching, the Cubs will play Justin Steele behind Imanaga. However, the projected lineup for the LA Dodgers can make the Tokyo Dome on their side.

Freedie Freeman, Tommy Edman, and Max Muncy will play at the bases, while Ohtani will be as a DH. A fan’s treat—witnessing Imanaga pitching and Ohtani slugging! While the opening day lineup will change for the regular season, it will be a teaser for both the teams to showcase what’s ahead in 2025.

The Dodgers-Cubs saga is set to shine in 2025

The Cubs had a 4-2 record against the LA Dodgers last year. Yes, despite the Dodgers with their star-studded lineup and winning the World Series, they are still behind the Cubs from last year. Will this regular season turn the tide? The Dodgers are now at +275 to win the World Series again in 2025, after starting as +400 favorites to do so, according to ESPN BET.

Moreover, with the off-season moves they have made this year, they should be able to use effective lineups against any kind of opposing pitcher. This regular season, they are having Ohtani, Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Edman, to name a few!

Well, the LA Dodgers are set to field different combinations this season, but what about the Cubs? Considering the ongoing spring season, they also have a few combinations to field. Miguel Amaya has been impressive this spring, with a slash line of .524/.545/.905 and an OPS of 1.450. Carson Kelley, his backup, is also playing well in 16 at-bats.

First baseman Michael Busch leads the infield and plays well with a slash line of .308/.390/.436 and an OPS of .826. In addition, Kyle Tucker, Kevin Alcantara, and Seiya Suzuki project a murkier regular season for the Cubs.

Nevertheless, the Dodgers and Cubs will experiment with their lineup in the Tokyo opener. It would still offer a glimpse of how the regular season lineup could look. 

What do you think about the opening day projections for the Dodgers and Cubs? Share your views with us below.