Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Shohei Ohtani drew the crowds and the Los Angeles Dodgers drew the walks as the World Series champion beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 to open the 2025 regular season in Japan on Tuesday.

MLB's first trip to Japan since 2019 was historic for many reasons as Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga got the starts to mark the first time two Japanese-born pitchers faced each other on Opening Day at any venue.

Now the teams will do it all again at Tokyo Dome on Wednesday before the Cubs head to Arizona and the Dodgers return to Southern California to wrap up their spring training.

In our preview of the MLB Tokyo Series Game 2 between the Dodgers and Cubs you will find our best bet and details of the money line, total, and run line odds, as well as the home run odds available for some of the best players on both teams.

It will be another early start for MLB fans in the US with the first pitch scheduled for approximately 6 AM ET and the game to be broadcast nationally on FOX.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs betting picks and predictions

Los Angeles Dodgers ML (-150)

Solid performances from the Game 1 starters left few opportunities for the teams to score in the early innings on Tuesday.

The disciplined Dodgers lineup refused to chase anything out of the strike zone, working Imanaga for four walks in four innings — his highest total in an MLB game.

He was able to get out of any trouble but by elevating his pitch count, Los Angeles hastened Cubs manager Craig Counsell's call to turn the game over the bullpen.

And that's when the world champions pounced as long reliever Ben Brown walked Andy Pages and Ohtani singled through the right field to put the No.9 hitter in scoring position.

A Tommy Edman base hit to left erased the Cubs' one-run lead before Jon Berti's error in throwing over first base's head and a Will Smith single put the Dodgers 3-1 up.

The inning was a reminder of how they won it all last fall and another illustration of why Chicago missed out on the playoffs as Counsell spoke about the "big gap" between the Cubs and the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cubs are facing increased expectations for the year and will need to be smarter than they were on Tuesday to get the better of the Dodgers, who overcame the absence of shortstop Mookie Betts.

The eight-time All-star has flown home after suffering from lingering flu-like symptoms with Miguel Rojas filling in.

The Cubs are without second baseman Nico Hoerner in Japan, but should have him available on their return to Wrigley Field.

For Game 2, Los Angeles is set to start their exciting Japanese offseason signing Roki Sasaki.

The 23-year-old righty pitched seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and three walks in exhibition play.

The Cubs, who finished 2024 with a record of 83-79, will turn to lefty Justin Steele on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old posted a 5-5 record with an ERA of 3.07 in the 2024 regular season.

The Dodgers look capable of doubling up behind Sasaki and their trusty batting lineup with the Tokyo crowd again likely to be on their side too.

Under 8 runs (-105)

These teams only put five runs on the board between them on Tuesday and there could be scarce opportunities for the big hits the Japanese fans crave when they reconvene at Tokyo Dome.

It again looks to be a strong pitching duel between solid starters. Sasaki, the highly-touted Japanese ace, is known for his precision and ability to limit runs, while Steele posted an impressive ERA last season and is a reliable option for Chicago's rotation.

Playing under the dome in Tokyo also introduces some elements that could take this contest under the eight-run mark.

Ohtani smashed a two-run homer at the venue in the Dodgers' warm-up game against the Yomiuri Giants, but that matchup yielded only six runs in total and again landed the under.

Both teams are starting their campaigns after spring training, where hitters often take time to find rhythm against elite pitching, and this can also result in lower-scoring games early in the season.

Given these factors, the under 8.0 runs option looks attractive in a tightly contested game dominated by pitching.

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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs odds

LA Dodgers	-150 ML
CHI Cubs	+125 ML
Run Line	LA Dodgers -1.5 (+105)
Total	O/U 8.0

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs player props

Player Home Run Odds

Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers)	+250
Max Muncy (LA Dodgers)	+320
Teoscar Hernandez (LA Dodgers)	+350
Will Smith (LA Dodgers)	+375
Kyle Tucker (CHI Cubs)	+400
Seiya Suzuki (CHI Cubs)	+475
Ian Happ (CHI Cubs)	+500
Andy Pages (LA Dodgers)	+500

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.