March 19, 2025 – The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their 2025 season in style, securing a 6-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday at the Tokyo Dome, with all eyes on their newest pitching sensation, Roki Sasaki. The 23-year-old Japanese phenom made his highly anticipated MLB debut in front of a raucous home crowd, delivering a performance that blended raw talent with rookie jitters. Sasaki pitched three innings, allowing one earned run on one hit, striking out three, and walking five, while showcasing electric stuff that topped out at 101 mph.

The Dodgers’ prized offseason signing gave fans plenty to cheer about in the team’s second game of the Tokyo Series, a two-game set marking the official start of the MLB regular season. Despite some command issues, Sasaki’s debut offered a tantalizing glimpse of the potential that has scouts and analysts dubbing him a future ace.

A Nervous Start, A Fiery Finish

Sasaki’s outing was a rollercoaster, with nerves visibly at play as he took the mound in his homeland. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, speaking to ESPN’s Tim Keown post-game, acknowledged the emotional weight of the moment. “I think there were nerves, and understandably so,” Roberts said. “The velocity was good, but I thought the emotions, the adrenaline, was hard to rein in. … The highs are going to be high, and when he’s not commanding it, it gets a little bit tricky.”

The rookie’s fastball hummed, consistently sitting in the upper-90s and peaking at 101 mph—a velocity that drew gasps from the Tokyo Dome faithful. But control eluded him at times, particularly in a shaky third inning. After Jon Berti reached on an infield single, Sasaki walked Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki to load the bases with one out. Facing the Cubs’ star slugger Kyle Tucker, Sasaki issued another walk, forcing in a run and putting his debut in jeopardy.

Yet, in a moment that showcased his resilience, Sasaki buckled down. He struck out Michael Busch and Matt Shaw in succession, escaping the jam with minimal damage and leaving the crowd roaring. Roberts opted to pull him at the start of the fourth, handing the ball to reliever Luis Garcia—a decision he made to protect the young pitcher despite Sasaki’s desire to stay in. “I do want to say he wanted to stay in the game,” Roberts noted. “That’s a decision I made in the best interest of him, but he wanted to keep going.”

A Star-Studded Supporting Cast

The Dodgers’ offense provided ample support, ensuring Sasaki’s debut ended in a win. Superstar Shohei Ohtani, playing in his native Japan, electrified the crowd with a towering home run that fell just short of his career-longest blast, reinforcing his superhero-like aura in the eyes of fans and Roberts alike. “Shohei’s a superhero out there,” Roberts said earlier this week, a sentiment echoed by the sea of Dodgers supporters sporting starry-eyed gazes in the stands.

The team’s 6-3 triumph capped a perfect 2-0 trip to Japan, setting a confident tone as they prepare to return stateside. For Sasaki, the outing was a promising—if imperfect—first step in what many hope will be a stellar MLB career.

Sasaki’s Journey Begins

Sasaki’s path to the Dodgers has been one of high expectations. A standout in Japan’s NPB with the Chiba Lotte Marines, he posted jaw-dropping numbers— including a 19-strikeout perfect game in 2022—that made him one of the most coveted international free agents in recent memory. The Dodgers, known for their knack for developing pitching talent, won the sweepstakes to sign him this offseason, pairing him with a rotation already featuring the likes of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow.

Wednesday’s debut underscored both his potential and the adjustments he’ll need to make at the MLB level. His five walks highlighted command issues that may persist as he acclimates to a new league and a higher stage, but his ability to touch triple digits and generate swings-and-misses offers a tantalizing upside. With the Dodgers’ deep roster and championship pedigree, Sasaki won’t face immediate pressure to carry the team—a luxury that could ease his transition.

What’s Next?

As the Dodgers head back to the United States, Sasaki’s next start looms as a chance to build on this debut. Roberts and the coaching staff will likely focus on harnessing his adrenaline and refining his control, knowing that his ceiling could elevate an already formidable squad. Fans, meanwhile, are dreaming of a rotation bolstered by Sasaki’s emergence, with visions of a deep postseason run dancing in their heads.

For now, Sasaki’s MLB journey is off to a thrilling start. His debut may have been a mix of nerves and brilliance, but it’s clear the rookie has the stuff—and the heart—to make waves in Los Angeles and beyond.

Related Los Angeles Dodgers News:

• Shohei Ohtani’s Tokyo Series home run was just shy of a career best (2h ago)
• Dodgers’ Dave Roberts drops ‘superhero’ truth bomb on Shohei Ohtani (2h ago)
• How Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki pitched in MLB debut vs. Cubs (4h ago)
• Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani blasts controversial home run in Tokyo Series vs. Cubs (4h ago)