As the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to face off in Tokyo on March 18, the spotlight shines brightly on two exceptional pitchers set to make history. The game marks the first time two Japan-born pitchers will start against each other in a major league regular-season game in their home country. The Cubs have entrusted left-hander Shota Imanaga with the Opening Day start, while the Dodgers will counter with their star acquisition, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Imanaga, coming off a remarkable rookie season, expressed immense pride in his selection. Speaking from Mesa, Arizona, he said he was "very honored" to receive the Opening Day start against the Dodgers. The 29-year-old left-hander finished his rookie campaign with an impressive 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA, striking out 174 hitters over 173⅓ innings. Despite spending nearly three months on the injured list due to an arm injury, Imanaga's performance did not falter, cementing his reputation as a dominant force on the mound.
Yamamoto, who will be pitching for the Dodgers, brings his own impressive credentials to the duel. The Dodgers signed the right-hander to a substantial $325 million, 10-year contract in December 2023, banking on his potential and prowess. In his rookie season, Yamamoto achieved a 7-2 record with a 3.00 ERA and struck out 105 hitters over 90 innings. His performance has been nothing short of stellar, positioning him as a key player in the Dodgers' roster.
The two-game series in Tokyo not only showcases the talent of these pitchers but also highlights the growing influence of Japanese players in Major League Baseball. Shota Imanaga acknowledged this significance as well:
"The reason that Japanese players are getting a lot of attention is because of all the players in the past that came before us who created this path for all the Japanese players." – Shota Imanaga
This historic matchup sets the stage for an exciting encounter between two formidable teams with rich histories and ambitious futures. Both pitchers have proven themselves capable of changing the course of a game, and their duel promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy.
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