Shohei Ohtani Overcomes Nerves in Memorable Tokyo Opening Day

TOKYO - Typically unfazed by challenges that perplex many, Shohei Ohtani faced some unexpected jitters during a regular-season MLB game in his homeland.

Following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-1 Opening Day victory over the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome, Ohtani confessed, “It’s been quite some time since I felt this anxious playing a game. It took about four or five innings to settle down.”

Despite the nerves, Ohtani’s performance was impressive; he tallied two hits, scored twice, and even a hard-hit liner exceeding 96 mph. Yet, the significance of the event and its buildup seemed to shake his usual unflappable composure.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked, “I’ve never seen Shohei nervous before. His emotions during the Japanese national anthem were quite revealing.”

Tuesday’s game not only marked the start of the Dodgers’ defense of their World Series title but also highlighted the talents of five Japanese players across both teams. Notably, it was the first time in MLB history that two Japanese pitchers faced off on Opening Day—Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers and Shota Imanaga of the Cubs. Both impressed, Imanaga leaving after four hitless innings.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell explained, “Seventy pitches was Shota’s limit. It was the optimal time for his exit.”

The Dodgers capitalized in the fifth, putting three runs on the board against reliever Ben Brown. While Imanaga’s mix of pitches kept the Dodgers at bay, his four walks led to two challenging innings that strained his pitch count.

Yamamoto, buoyed by home soil energy, regularly hit 98 mph with his fastball and baffled the Cubs over five sparkling innings. This confidence was a stark contrast to his previous season experiences in America.

Roberts noted, “Yamamoto’s belief and precision with the fastball this year is remarkable. If he maintains this, a Cy Young discussion is certainly realistic.”

The Cubs had only three hits in the game, none coming in the latter innings against a formidable Dodgers bullpen. Outfielder Seiya Suzuki went hitless, while rookie Roki Sasaki is set to debut in the upcoming game.

Missing from the Dodgers lineup was Mookie Betts, who departed Japan due to illness, and first baseman Freddie Freeman, sidelined by “left rib discomfort,” an aggravation from last year’s postseason injury.

The evening kicked off with a captivating pregame ceremony resembling an Olympic opener. Highlights included Pikachus enlivening the field and a thrilling video pitting the Dodgers against the Cubs as mythical beasts. The legendary Saduharu Oh graced the field, with Roberts cherishing the encounter, describing it as “a dream come true.”