With the opening game in Tokyo just around the corner, there's already plenty of anticipation for the 2025 season opener between the reigning World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs.

As these two legendary teams kick off the season at Tokyo Dome on March 18, let's take a look at the top five things we've been waiting for.

1. How will Shohei Ohtani perform next?

Shohei Ohtani has just finished the 2024 season, in which he became the first player in MLB history to achieve 50 hits and 50 steals, won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the third time, and lifted his first World Series championship trophy. So, what kind of wonderful performance will he bring in 2025 as a follow-up?

Shohei Ohtani won't have the much-anticipated return to pitching mound moment in front of Japanese fans, but he will certainly make his debut as the Dodgers' designated hitter, and at this stage, Shohei Ohtani's every hit has become a must-see.

And, while Shohei Ohtani isn't ready to pitch yet, fellow Japanese player Shota Imanaga will start the Chicago Cubs' opener. Shohei Ohtani faced Imonaga last season, with no hits in five hits and a strikeout, and he will want revenge this time.

Shota was almost the only Cubs pitcher who could limit Shohei Ohtani last year, hitting 10 hits (0.500 batting average) and hitting two home runs and contributing six points against a non-Cubs pitcher.

2. The return of Japanese players

Speaking of Imanaga, in the opening bout, we could see Imanaga take on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while Roki Sasaki is expected to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2.

As mentioned earlier, Imanaga will start the first game for the Cubs. In the rest area on the other side, Yushin Yamamoto is expected to start the opening game for the Los Angeles Dodgers after an excellent rookie season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said he plans to start Yushin Yamamoto and Ronshi Sasaki in the two games in Tokyo, but the team wants to see how Rosaki Sasaki performs in spring training before determining his exact starting points.

If so, the opening match in Tokyo will usher in a thrilling showdown between Sebuta Imanaga and Yushin Yamamoto. If Ronshi Sasaki makes his major league debut the next day, the pitching will continue to be interesting. The 23-year-old phenom spent four seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball Chiba Rhodes Ocean, with a 2.10 defense rate and 505 strikeouts over 394 and 2/3 innings.

In addition to the three Japanese pitchers who are about to hit the pitcher's hill, Shohei Ohtani and Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki will both return to where their careers started and are expected to receive plenty of praise from fans back home.

3. Los Angeles Dodgers start their journey to defend their title

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who have just won the World Series for the second time in the last five seasons, have largely retained their championship squad for 2025.

Its starting line-up included Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy and Will Smith. The starting rotation is once again strong, with new signings Roxy Sasaki and Blake Snell joining returning starting pitchers Yushin Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, not to mention Shohei Ohtani eventually returning to Pitcher Hill.

The Dodgers undoubtedly have what it takes to challenge for another championship, but defending their title will not be easy. No team has won consecutive World Series titles since the New York Yankees won three consecutive championships from 1998-2000.

The Cubs, meanwhile, are looking to build on their 83-win streak of two consecutive seasons and a second-place finish in the Nations League Central Division. They are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and win their first playoff game since 2017.

4. The highly anticipated debut of the player's team

Outfielder Kyle Tucker, who was traded from the Mavericks last December, will make his Cubs debut.

Tucker is a three-time All-Star, winning the World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022. Even though he played in only 78 games last season, he still hit 23 home runs. Over the past four seasons, Tucker has averaged 35 home runs, 111 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 162 games.

Tucker's first blow as a Cubs player could face either the aforementioned Richie Sasaki or Snell. Snell, 32, signed a five-year, $182 million contract with the Dodgers in November after playing for rivals San Francisco Giants last year, after spending three years with another National League West rival, the San Diego Padres.

Of course, given the Los Angeles Dodgers' current plans to start Yushin Yamamoto and Rangki Sasaki, Snell won't necessarily feature in those first two games.

5. Who is the Cubs' third baseman?

The Cubs' deal with Tucker involves sending expected starting third baseman Isaac Paredes to Houston. At the moment, the spot is still to be determined, but there is an intriguing internal candidate in the squad.

The Cubs could feature Matt Shaw, the team's number one rookie and No. 19 rookie on the MLB Pipeline. The 13th overall pick in the 2023 Draft, Shaw split between Division II Tennessee and Division III Iowa last season, hitting 21 home runs and stealing 31 bases in 121 games, and he's actually been even better when he was promoted. In 35 games in the Division III, Shaw batted 0.298, hit 0.395 bases, batted 0.534 (0.929) long-hitting, hit seven home runs and completed six stolen bases.

When veteran third baseman Alex Bregman finally decided to sign with the Red Sox instead of the Cubs and other suitors, Shaw's path to the opener started a little smoother. Shaw has been keeping a close eye on Brightman's free agent moves, and now, the 23-year-old rookie is ready to take his chances.

"Obviously, that's my goal for this year's spring training," Shaw said, "and if I can do it, it will be fantastic." It's going to be a dream come true, something I've been dreaming of for a long time. ”