17 March 2025
ABL connections in the MLB Tokyo Series 2025 - Dodgers vs Cubs
It’s an exceptionally rare opportunity for baseball fans in Australia.
On Tuesday 18 March and Wednesday 19 March, fans will be able to watch Major League Baseball games at a so called “normal” time.
The Dodgers and Cubs square off in Tokyo to begin the 2025 MLB season at 9:10PM AEDT on both occasions.
There are numerous links to the ABL on both side.
Here is a short list. So, when you’re watching the games with family you can say: “Hey, they played in Australia!”
By the way, there are 74 players (and counting) who have progressed to Major League Baseball after playing in the ABL and over 160 total.
CHICAGO CUBS
LHP Shōta Imanaga – Imanaga has already been named the Opening Game starter for the Cubs in somewhat of a homecoming for the Japanese star. Imanaga famously pieced together one of the best ABL seasons in history in 2018-19 while pitching for the Canberra Cavalry.
He posted a 4–0 win–loss record with a league-best 0.51 earned run average (ERA) over 35 innings pitched with 57 strikeouts to one walk. By meeting the statistical recognition minimum (0.8IP per team game), Imanaga broke the league records for WHIP (0.429), H/9 (3.6), BB/9 (0.3) and second-best ERA behind Ryan Searle.
Robbie Perkins, Shota’s catcher in Canberra, joined ABL commentators Eric Balnar & Andrew Reynolds to talk about his experience:
INF Jon Berti – The former Canberra Cavalry star makes his debut for the Chicago Cubs as he enters his eighth MLB season. He has a career .259 average and is looking to bounce back after injury limited him to just 25 games in 2024. Berti hit .309 in the 2013-14 season for the Cavalry.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Coach (3rd Base): Dino Ebel – Dino played for the Adelaide Giants in the early 1990s. He’s become one of the most respected coaches in the American game, winning two World Series rings, while coaching for the Dodgers. He was on the USA National Team’s coaching staff
Other links: Canberra Cavalry manager and former player Jack Murphy is a coach in the Dodgers’ system. Melbourne Aces Manager, former Team Australia coach, and 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist Jon Deeble is the Pacific Region scout for the Dodgers.
READ MORE
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