Cubs takeaways: What we learned as Dodgers sweep MLB Tokyo Series 2025
The Chicago Cubs jetted off to Japan this week with plenty of optimism and excitement.
They’ll return to Arizona with two losses and playing catch-up when the rest of the league opens the season after their 6-3 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Tokyo Dome.
The Cubs (0-2) will resume their 2025 season schedule next weekend against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but first, let’s review the three main takeaways from the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series finale against the defending World Series champions.
Controversy strikes
It looked like a picturesque moment for Shohei Ohtani and MLB in the fifth inning when the Dodgers slugger crushed a Nate Pearson fastball that Pete Crow-Armstrong fielded in the right-center gap.
[READ: Cubs hope MLB Tokyo Series will help further grow their Japan presence]
Ohtani slowly ran out of the box, then sprinted toward second base as Crow-Armstrong grabbed the ball. But as Ohtani rounded the bag, the umpires ruled the play a home run. Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker immediately signaled for fan interference, and manager Craig Counsell ran out to the field to immediately speak to the umps.
A crew chief review ensued, but the play stood upon replay, even though video appeared to show fans reaching over and contacting the ball.
Ohtani’s homer gave the Dodgers a 6-2 lead, and they held on from there. The Cubs did have the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but Matt Shaw hit a game-ending groundout that might have been a hit if not for LA shortstop Miguel Rojas’ great throw from deep in the hole.
Momentum swing
Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the third, the Cubs created a golden opportunity to get back in the game against Japanese rookie phenom Roki Sasaki, who was making his major-league debut. Jon Berti had a one-out single, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki drew back-to-back walks to load the bases for Tucker, who walked on five pitches to score Berti and make it a two-run game.
Sasaki hunkered down, though, and left his home crowd with a pretty nifty memory. The Dodgers fireballer struck out Michael Busch on a 97.5-mph fastball on the outer half of the plate, then fanned rookie Matt Shaw on a 1-2 slider below the zone to stymie the Cubs’ rally and leave the bases loaded.
The Dodgers quickly made the Cubs rue their missed opportunity. Will Smith led off the next frame with a double off Chicago starter Justin Steele, and two batters later, Kiké Hernández hit a two-run homer, quickly shifting the momentum.
It’s that type of moment the Cubs must capitalize on throughout the season. When a rookie pitcher — even one with as much hype as Sasaki — is on the ropes, they should take advantage. Sasaki escaped the jam, though, and his day was done after that, with one run and one hit allowed in three innings, with five walks and three Ks.
Steele’s struggles
Steele hasn’t been prone to the long ball over the last two years, when he has been one of the best starters in baseball. In fact, his 0.76 home run-per-nine innings since 2013 is third best among qualified pitchers.
But the long ball plagued the Cubs left-hander Wednesday. Tommy Edman’s third-inning solo shot made it 3-0, and Hernández’s two-run homer was a decisive blow.
Last season, Steele allowed two or more home runs in a game just three times — twice against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-day span.
It’s Steele’s first start of the season and – as with Shota Imanaga on Tuesday – he isn’t fully built up, so it’s fair to expect him to not be super crisp. But allowing two homers in a game (and five runs on five hits in four innings) in a loss still is noteworthy for a pitcher who’s expected to play a big role for the Cubs.