LOS ANGELES — The World Series is enjoying significant viewership in Japan, averaging an impressive 15.15 million viewers over the first two games. Major League Baseball reported that Game 2, where the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the New York Yankees with a 4-2 scoreline, captured an average of 15.9 million viewers, marking it as the highest-rated MLB postseason game ever in Japan’s history.

The excitement surrounding the series is fueled not only by the presence of star player and anticipated National League MVP Shohei Ohtani but also by Dodgers’ starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In a thrilling opener, the Dodgers celebrated a 6-3 win against the Yankees, capped off by a walk-off grand slam by Freddie Freeman during the 10th inning, which drew an average audience of 14.4 million.

Due to the time difference, Tokyo is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles, with games airing at approximately 9 a.m. on weekend mornings in Japan. The broadcasts are available on channels like Fuji TV, NHK BS, and J Sports.

When combined with the viewership in the United States, the initial two games of the World Series have garnered an average of 29.7 million viewers across the two countries. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the series is attracting an average of 14.55 million viewers on networks like Fox and Fox Deportes, along with streaming platforms, positioning it for the strongest viewership figures since 2017.

This edition of the World Series stands out as it is the first time since the last two games of the 2021 series involving the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros that there have been back-to-back games with a viewership of at least 13.4 million. Notably, Nielsen data highlights that the Dodgers versus Yankees series has sparked a 93% rise in viewership among the 18-34 age group. Additionally, social media engagement related to the series has surged by 225%, and views on various social platforms have increased by 229%.