Japan's annual wholesale inflation hit 4.0% in February, data showed on Wednesday, underscoring pressure from rising raw material costs that will keep alive market expectations of a near-term interest rate hike by the central bank.

Investors in Japan are speculating on the recent rise of 10-year government bond yields to their highest levels since 2008. Higher yields are said to signal market optimism traditionally, but Japan’s current economic situation on the ground has everyday residents worried about a massive downturn.

The trip to Japan will be special for both the Cubs and the Dodgers. Chicago has a pair of stars from Japan in Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki while Los Angeles has Yamamoto, Sasaki and

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out seven over five impressive innings and Shohei Ohtani ripped a 118.5 mph double during the Dodgers’ penultimate game of the spring schedule.