Dodgers flex terrifying versatility in Opening Day Tokyo Series win over Cubs

There are certainly more impressive ways to win a baseball game, but the Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off the 2025 season with a victory against the Chicago Cubs that reminded everyone that they are one of the most versatile clubs in the sport.

Despite being without Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers defeated the Cubs 4-1 in the Tokyo Series opener. A solid start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a three-run top of the fifth inning, and a fantastic showing from their bullpen helped ensure that the defending champs would begin the new year in the win column.

While it is difficult to make any substantial conclusions from just one game, it is at least evident that the Dodgers will boast the ability to win games in a variety of ways that won't always call for their stars to overpower opponents.

Dodgers flex versatility in Tokyo Series opener

Yamamoto seemingly got better as his start progresed. He surrendered one run in the bottom of the second inning when Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya sliced a double to give the Chicago a 1-0 edge. After that, the Japanese ace was otherwise effective and silenced a strong Cubs lineup.

All told, Yamamoto threw five innings of one-run baseball, surrendered three hits, and struck out four batters. The 26-year-old's fastball and splitter ruled the night and kept the Dodgers within striking distance even after Shota Imanaga provided the Cubs with four scoreless innings in his season debut.

L.A. first got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning after Imanaga departed. A Tommy Edman RBI single, a Teoscar Hernandez fielder's choice, and a Will Smith RBI single granted the Dodgers three runs at the expense of Cubs reliever Ben Brown.

They would later get an insurance run in the top of the ninth when a Hernandez single drove in Shohei Ohtani, who began the frame with a double. None of the Dodgers' runs came from particularly exciting hits. They collected seven total base knocks, but also worked eight walks.

Further, while Ohtani had a 2-5 game at the plate (with the first hit of the Dodger's season), their win was not defined by his play.

The Dodgers' team effort extended itself towards the bullpen. Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, and Blake Treinen set the stage for new addition Tanner Scott to notch his first save in blue. Kirby Yates and Luis Garcia will have to wait at least one more day to make their first appearances of the regular season.

The Tokyo Series began with a unique Dodgers' win that illustrated their versatility as a unit. it is easy to claim that Los Angeles is elite solely because of their stars, but the reigning champions from Chavez Ravine have once again shown they can win with in other, comprehensive ways.

That's a pretty terrifying thought for the rest of the league.

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