Nearing The End Of A Short Spring, Dodgers, Cubs Make Final Preparations For Season Opener In Japan

Shohei Ohtani's bat is ready for the Los Angeles Dodgers while Shota Imanaga has looked good on the mound for the Chicago Cubs with less than 10 days remaining before baseball's regular-season opener in Japan.

The teams will play two games at the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19.

The early start to the season - more than a week before the schedule begins domestically - has led to a truncated spring schedule for the Dodgers and Cubs, though both teams have managed to navigate the shorter preparation time in fairly good health.

They're trying to keep it that way as they navigate a fun, but unique week that includes long flights to and from Japan, along with a 15-hour time difference between the two locations.

"It's two games and we're not going to exhaust everything to get ready for two games," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said early in camp. "But also, we want to be ready and prepared to win two games in Tokyo while appreciating that when we come back, we'll have time to get ready for the domestic opener."