Shohei Ohtani admits being “nervous” playing in front of Japanese fans following win against Cubs in Tokyo Series

Shohei Ohtani registered two hits, one single and one double in the season opener of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tokyo Series.

Shohei Ohtani admits being “nervous” playing in front of Japanese fans following win against Cubs in Tokyo Series

Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

The 2025 baseball season kicked off on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the Chicago Cubs in the Tokyo Series. After winning the opening game, 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani admitted that he was feeling ‘nervous’ to play in front of his hometown fans.

This was the second time in 2 years that the Dodgers were opening the new season outside of the United States. The 2024 World Series winner picked up from where they left last season and emerged as 4-1 winners in Game 1 with Ohtani having two hits.

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In the fifth inning, Ohtani collected the first hit of the Dodgers 2025 season as he cracked a line drive into the right field off a 0-2 pitch. The Dodgers staged another comeback in the fifth inning and turned the game around.

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Ohtani’s second hit came in the ninth inning through a double down the line in the right field. Teoscar Hernandez would then bring him home after Tommy Edman moved him to third.

Following the game, Ohtani expressed that he was nervous. He opened up about that this was the first time in a while that he had gone through this emotion.

It’s been a while that I felt actually this nervous playing a game. In that sense, I felt like I needed the first couple at-bats, I needed some time to adjust. I’m glad that I was able to make the adjustments in the later part of the game.

Shohei Ohtani told Harold Reynolds through his interpreter Will Irerton

Shohei Ohtani being nervous ahead of this game was something that surprised even manager Dave Roberts. The Japanese-American, who recently penned down a huge contract extension, did point out that the two-way star got emotional during the Japanese national anthem before the game.

Shohei Ohtani rocks Decoy-stamped cleats during Tokyo Series game against Cubs

Shohei Ohtani’s pet dog, Decoy, has become a huge hit among fans. Since making a surprise appearance during Ohtani’s 2023 American League MVP Award acceptance video, Decoy has appeared several times alongside the Dodgers star. On Tuesday during the Tokyo Series game, the 30-year-old rocked a pair of Decoy-stamped cleats.

Shohei Ohtani and Decoy
Shohei Ohtani and Decoy (Image via MLB)

During Game 1, the cameras would get a close look at Ohtani’s cleats. The bottom of his New Bottom’s cleats featured images of Decoy. A post regarding this would soon go viral on X. Fans on social media would love this and joined in on the fun.

There was another great example of how much the fans loved Ohtani and his pet dog Decoy ahead of the game. A post from Fox Sports: MLB on X showcased a mural of Ohtani and Decoy on an agricultural field. It would be dubbed an “agricultural mural”.

Shohei Ohtani’s teammate suffers major blow before Tokyo Series Game 2

The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a setback before the Tokyo Series as Mookie Betts went down with an illness. The 3-time World Series winner had been dealing with this issue even before traveling to the Asian country and was then sidelined for this series. Another one of Shohei Ohtani’s teammate has suffered a blow now.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via NY Times)

The teammate mentioned here is Freddie Freeman. The 2024 World Series MVP was included in the lineup for Game 1. However, shortly before the game, he was scratched from it.

Freeman later spoke on this matter and claimed that he felt the same discomfort while swinging a bat which he did during the playoffs last year. After the World Series, it was revealed that Freeman was dealing with some rib problems.

On Tuesday though he pointed out that there was a 75 percent chance that he be in the lineup for Game 2. However, that will not be the case now. As per reports from MLB insider Fabian Ardaya, Freeman is not in the lineup of the Dodgers for Game 2 against the Cubs.

Despite this setback, Freeman is expected to be back soon. As per manager Dave Roberts, the first baseman could play in the Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.