Cubs News: Shota Imanaga pokes fun at Craig Counsell, Justin Turner rocks a kimono

We are just five days from the highly-anticipated Tokyo Series matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. Both games come with 5:00a CT start times, so make sure you've got the coffee ready - but the early social media posts coming out of Japan will certainly help fire you up.

After landing in Tokyo, the team took part in the breaking of a sake barrel ceremony that is supposed to bring them good luck. Manager Craig Counsell and left-hander Shota Imanaga took part in it - and Imanaga made sure to have a good time, mimicking the oft-mocked stance of his skipper.

He's been the life of the party since his memorable introductory press conference in Jan. 2023 when he sang 'Go Cubs, Go' - offering a very different vibe from Japanese teammate Seiya Suzuki. Back in his homeland, it seems pretty clear Imanaga is very comfortable and ready to get the ball in the season-opening matchup against the Dodgers.

The social media posts from players and reporters have been fun for those of us back in the U.S. to watch as they've seen the sights and immersed themselves in the culture ahead of their first exhibition game on Friday against the Hanshin Tigers. One moment that definitely turned heads was Suzuki's recent BP session where he stepped up to the plate not with a bat, but with a katana.

The Cubs are hoping for big things from Suzuki this year as he moves into more of a traditional DH role following the offseason acquisition of Kyle Tucker. He's coming off the best season of his career and there's optimism that, with more protection around him, he could finally establish himself as a premier offensive talent in the league.

Another newcomer on the roster, veteran infielder and DH Justin Turner, quickly embraced the Japanese lifestyle, posting a picture of himself in the hotel room with a kimono. Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong seemed to feel the need to paint us all a vivid picture in the comments.

As I noted, Chicago has a pair of exhibition matchups at the Tokyo Dome ahead of next week's series against the reigning World Series champions. The Cubs take on Hanshin at 10p CT Friday night - and that matchup features a really unique blast from the past - and then face off against the Yomiuri Giants on March 16 at 5a CT.

Imanaga will start the official season opener on Tuesday morning opposite countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with Justin Steele slotted in against Roki Sasaki in the final game of the series. Chicago will return home to close out spring training, then opening the domestic schedule on March 27 on the road in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks.