The Cubs are just days away from their Tokyo Series opener against the Dodgers, with MLB’s 2025 season kicking off in Japan this week.
Before the official games begin, Chicago will face Nippon Professional Baseball’s Yomiuri Giants in an exhibition matchup Sunday morning — though it’ll be Sunday evening in Tokyo.
First pitch is set for 5 a.m. CT, giving Cubs fans a perfect trial run for the early wake-up calls they’ll need for the two-game series later this week.
The Cubs’ roster features two Japanese stars who’ll be feeling right at home — lefty Shota Imanaga, who’s scheduled to start Game 1 of the Tokyo Series, and outfielder Seiya Suzuki. They’ll be joined by offseason prize Kyle Tucker and dynamic center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s looking to build on his rookie campaign with what should be an expanded role this season.
Here’s what you need to know to catch Sunday’s Cubs-Giants exhibition:
- TV channel: MLB Network
- Live stream: Fubo
The game will air nationally on MLB Network, but cord-cutters can stream it on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $64.99 — a $20 savings. The service streams ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Game Details
- Date: Sunday, March 16
- Time: 6 a.m. ET | 5 a.m. CT
First pitch is scheduled for 6 a.m. ET on Sunday, which translates to 7 p.m. local time at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyō, Japan.
The exhibition gives Imanaga and Suzuki a chance to showcase their talents in front of their home country fans, while the rest of the Cubs roster gets acclimated to the time difference before Wednesday’s season opener. It’s also an opportunity for manager Craig Counsell to make his final roster decisions before the games start counting.
