Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced its official schedule for the 2025 season, which will kick off with the highly anticipated Tokyo Series at the Tokyo Dome. This time, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will take center stage, featuring standout Japanese players such as Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga, and Seiya Suzuki. The matchups are scheduled for March 18 and 19, marking the sixth time that MLB has opened a season in Japan.

The traditional Opening Day, featuring all 30 MLB teams, will take place on March 27, setting a record for the earliest start in league history, excluding international openers.

Spring Training: The Prelude to the Season

Before the official start of the season, teams will prepare in Spring Training, running from February 20 to March 24. As usual, teams will be split into two leagues: the Cactus League, held in Arizona, and the Grapefruit League, based in Florida.

The first Spring Training game will also feature the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 20, serving as a preview of their showdown in Tokyo. The next day, February 21, the Grapefruit League will open with a clash between the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees.

Among the most anticipated dates of the 2025 season is Rivalry Weekend, from May 16 to 18, where historic matchups will take place, including the New York Mets vs. the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Angels vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Kansas City Royals.

Meanwhile, the All-Star Game will be held on July 15 at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, marking the third time the Georgia-based franchise hosts the event.

The regular season will conclude on September 28, featuring eight divisional matchups that could determine the final playoff standings.

MLB Offseason Shaken by Historic Moves

The 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season has yet to begin, but teams have already made headlines with strategic signings and unprecedented deals. As every year, the free-agent market has been a battleground for franchises looking to strengthen their rosters with the World Series in mind. This time, names like Juan Soto, Teoscar Hernández, and Walker Buehler have been in the spotlight.

The reigning champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, secured the return of Teoscar Hernández with a three-year, $66 million contract. The Dominican was a key player in their title run, and his World Series performance—batting .350 against the New York Yankees—justified the investment. However, the California team suffered a significant loss with the departure of Walker Buehler, who signed with the Boston Red Sox after being one of the top pitchers in last season’s playoffs.

The New York Yankees, meanwhile, have been among the most active teams in the market. The Bronx franchise has added key players such as Devin Williams, Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt, strengthening their roster with the goal of returning to the World Series. However, they also faced notable departures, with Juan Soto’s exit being the most impactful. The Dominican star opted for a change of scenery, signing a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, surpassing even Shohei Ohtani’s deal.

Soto’s signing with the Mets not only marks the highest contract in baseball history but also raises expectations for the franchise, which aims to establish itself as a serious contender. While the outfielder is undoubtedly a top-tier talent, the debate over whether he truly justifies such a massive deal remains open.

Other notable moves include Corbin Burnes joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, Joc Pederson signing with the Texas Rangers, Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes heading to the Houston Astros, and Kyle Tucker landing with the Chicago Cubs.

With these changes, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent years. There are still weeks to go before Opening Day, but everything is set for an electrifying campaign.