He faced a staunch Team USA lineup, with Dodgers star Mookie Betts in the leadoff spot. Plenty of MLB teams were paying attention when Imanaga took the ball, anticipating his move to MLB. The Cubs were one of them.

Last year, the Padres and Dodgers got the MLB regular season started early with two games in South Korea. This year, it’s the Cubs and Dodgers kicking things off the week before league-wide Opening Day.

Catch the Chicago Cubs and the Yomiuri Giants in the Tokyo Series on MLB Network this Sunday. The Cubs will play a second exhibition game against one of the top teams in Japan before starting a two-game regular season set against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.