The Chicago Cubs currently have the worst record in baseball. The caveat is, of course, that they are one of two teams that have actually played regular season games. Even though the Cubs lost both games in Tokyo against the Dodgers, by no means were they blown out (4-1, 6-3).
Nonetheless, we would not be Cubs fans if we didn't overreact to things after just two games.
Offense Has Regressed Again to Last Year's Lows
In 2025, the Cubs are averaging two runs per game. Cubs fans have to be asking themselves if they are going to re-live the beginning of last season, where the offense struggled so mightily that they dug such a hole in the standings by the All-Star game that they couldn't claw back to the playoffs.
In game 1 of the Tokyo series, the Cubs did not get a hit after the third inning. The second game was better, but the team still went 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Overall, 11 players were left on base. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Justin Turner, and Pete Crow Armstrong all left Japan without a hit.
Prior to heading to Tokyo, the Cubs were leading the league in most offensive categories in spring training.
The Defense is Not as Advertised
The Cubs are supposed to have the second-best defense in MLB this year on the backs of Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Michael Busch. It didn't play out that way in Japan.
In his first MLB game, Matt Shaw made an error at third, and you could hear the collective groan from Cubs fans across the Pacific, "Here we go again at third base." After talking to Dansby Swanson about the play, he handled it differently on almost the same ball in the second game and got the out. He also had a diving play in game two.
Jon Berti had an error at second base (who rebounded with a great play in the second game) that got the "Hoerner would have made that play" treatment. And Ryan Kelly was charged with a passed ball.
Pitchers Can't Find the Strike Zone
Shota Imanaga rose to the occasion in front of the Japanese crowd with four shutout innings. Unfortunately, Ben Brown, who is eyeing a starting job, got beat up for three runs after Imanaga exited. Finding the silver lining, Brown also had five strikeouts in just two innings.
Justin Steele won't be able to forget his Japanese experience, but not in a good way. Steele gave up five runs in four innings of work, mostly generated by two home runs. Nate Pearson also gave up a home run in his one inning of work.
On the upside, Caleb Thielbar, Julian Merryweather, Porter Hodge, and Ryan Pressly all pitched scoreless innings in game 2. The only reliever to pitch a clean inning in Game 1 was Eli Morgan.
One of the more glaring trends across the entire staff in the Tokyo series was the massive number of walks given up by the Cubs. Even Imanaga gave up four walks in his stint. Imanaga famously didn't walk a batter in his first few starts as a rookie last year. In all, the Cubs gave up 15 walks in the two days with Imanaga, Brown, and Pressly leading the way with three or more each.
Do we truly think the defense has taken a step backward? Absolutely not. Are we worried about our pitchers giving up too many free passes on domestic Opening Day? Not really. Are we concerned that the offense can't score runs? Yes, we are, until proven otherwise.