The Los Angeles Dodgers are less than a week from kicking off the 2025 season. They will attempt to defend their eighth World Series title in franchise history. They will also look to become the first MLB franchise to win back-to-back titles since the New York Yankees won three in a row between 1998 and 2000.

The Dodgers’ season begins on March 18, when they face the Chicago Cubs in the two-game Tokyo Series. Manager Dave Roberts, who recently became MLB’s highest-paid manager, has praised Japanese culture as the team prepares to travel to the nation.

Sonja Chen of MLB.com shared his comments, writing:

This is one of the most exciting Opening Days I’ve ever had — from a player to a coach to a manager — opening up the season in Tokyo. My aunts, my uncles, my cousins are all gonna be able to see. I love the country of Japan. And obviously, with the three Japanese players that we have, just to see how we are received, I’m very excited about. And I will say this, I really hope the people in the States learn from the people in Japan, how they treat people. In Japan, there’s just a lot of respect, and people are kind. And for us to go over there into their country, I’m very honored. Very honored, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com

Roberts is half-Japanese on his mother’s side and was born in the nation as his father was a United States Marine stationed in Japan. He spent his early childhood traveling between military bases in Okinawa, Japan, and the United States.

The Dodgers have three of the biggest Japanese superstars in baseball on their roster, having signed Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki last offseason and this winter.

While Ohtani is still rehabbing as a pitcher and will serve as the team’s designated hitter for the two-game set, Yamamoto and Sasaki will start the two games for Los Angeles.