The Chicago Cubs played their final spring training game stateside on Tuesday afternoon before their official start of the season, falling 9-7 to the Milwaukee Brewers. While there will be another chance for a tune up after the Tokyo Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers before their domestic Opening Day on March 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks,

Staging Opening Day in Japan speeds up some personnel decisions that can typically wait until the end of March.

The anticipated Tokyo Series between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers will feature plenty of fanfare in Japan, where baseball is a lifeblood.