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[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Shota Imanaga Off to a Great Start in MLB Career

Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga is the first MLB pitcher since Dave Feriss in 1945 to have a 4-0 record and an ERA below 1.00 in the first five starts of his career.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 28, 2024

Ed Odeven

Chicago Cubs southpaw starter Shota Imanaga delivers a pitch to a Boston Red Sox batter on April 26, 2024, at Fenway Park in Boston. (KYODO)

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Shota Imanaga has made five starts in his debut season as an MLB pitcher, and he's yet to be charged with a loss.

In his fifth start of the 2024 Major League Baseball season, the Chicago Cubs left-hander allowed five hits in 6⅓ innings against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, April 26. It was his longest outing of the year.

Imanaga struck out seven and walked one batter. He allowed only one run, a Tyler O'Neill solo homer to center in the fourth inning.

The Cubs defeated the Red Sox 7-1, winning their fourth in a row, and Imanaga improved to 4-0. He has a sparkling 0.98 ERA.

According to MLB.com, Imanaga is the first MLB pitcher since Dave Feriss of the Red Sox in 1945 to have a 4-0 record and an ERA below 1.00 in the first five starts of his career.

Pinpoint control has been a major component of Imanaga's success with the Cubs. In 27⅔ innings, the former Yokohama DeNA BayStars pitcher has 28 strikeouts. He's walked three batters.

Shota Imanaga is Building Rapport with His Teammates

Through Friday, the Cubs (17-9) sat in second place in the National League Central, trailing only the Milwaukee Brewers (17-8). Imanaga has been integral to the team's success.

For Imanaga, who signed a four-year deal with the Cubs in January, developing trust with teammates is an important factor in his success to date.

Just ask him.

"It's a lot harder to build trust than to break it," Imanaga said through his interpreter, according to MLB.com. "The fact that my teammates are trusting me and I've been able to build that up, I'm really glad."

Indeed, Imanaga should also be pleased that right now he's a likely candidate for the National League All-Star team in July.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell shared insights with reporters about Imanaga's personality and knowledge-driven focus before Friday's game.

"One of Shota's best traits is that he's very curious. He's very open," Counsell was quoted as saying by MLB.com.

The manager added, "He takes in information very well. I think he watches very well. And that leads to someone who's very good at making adjustments."

The Foundation of Imanaga's Pitching Repertoire

In holding the Red Sox to one run on Friday, Imanaga relied primarily on two pitches, a four-seam fastball and a splitter. His overall command of his pitches was impressive.

"I did have one walk, but I was able to attack the [strike] zone," he said through his interpreter, according to The Associated Press.

Imanaga demonstrated poise on the mound, too. With runners on first and second and two outs in the bottom of the sixth and the Cubs leading 4-1, he struck out Pablo Reyes to end Boston's scoring threat.

Continue reading the full story, which includes news items on ski jumping, horse racing and more, on SportsLook.

[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Shota Imanaga Brings Talent and Enthusiasm to the Cubs

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.