The Chicago Cubs’ trip to Tokyo for the 2025 MLB season opener was highly anticipated. This makes some fans feel uneasy about the team down the road. While it is natural to panic about early struggles, jumping the gun on concern isn’t always the answer.
Playing in Japan presents challenges that MLB teams don’t typically face. There is a 14-hour time difference, international travel, and unfamiliar stadium conditions. The Cubs had a short period to adjust and prepare themselves to go against the Los Angeles Dodgers, a team with one of the highest expectations this season.
Baseball is ranked 1st in professional sports for having the most extended running season, (followed by NBA/NHL/NFL). Fans have to see it as a marathon, not a sprint. At times, there are powerhouse teams that can fumble away their entire season by the end of it, and some vice versa. For example, the 2019 Washington Nationals started the season 19-31 and ended up winning the World Series later in the year. Two rough international games can’t define a team. The Cubs have a long road ahead.
In the offseason, the Cubs made a few key acquisitions, like RF Kyle Tucker and infielder/DH Justin Turner. Sometimes it takes time for new players to mesh in the clubhouse. A new system and staff usually lead to some slight early season mix-ups. Luckily, even with concerns that can become serious, it helps highlight an opportunity for Cubs manager Craig Counsell to adjust and improve before the season continues.
Although not every player did outstanding or showed Golden Glove candidacy, the Cubs still have a lot of talent on the roster: Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and, of course, the rising star and the city fan favorite, Pete Crow-Armstrong. These guys can still put on a show for the Windy City fans, both fielding and batting.
To answer the question: Is it too early to overreact to the Cubs’ performance? Yes. They were a Jon Berti throwing error away from a tight first game, and a Shohei Ohtani home run away from a close second game. All this while competing against the defending World Series champions who only got better this offseason in the middle of spring training. There are 160 games left of the season; Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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