Cubs rookie pitcher Shota Imanaga logged a quality start against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. Imanaga surrendered three runs on five hits in six innings. The three earned came in the sixth inning, which Imanaga pointed out as reasons he needed to improve.
Shōta Imanaga, Painted 83mph Splitter. 🖌️🎨 pic.twitter.com/UOoyRpVUy2
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 27, 2024
Imanaga got a no-decision in this game but played a vital role in the Cubs 5-3 win over the Giants. This start from Shota was a nice bounce back from his last start on June 21st, where he gave up ten earned in three innings to the New York Mets.
Despite the no-decision against the Giants, the Cubs moved to 12-3 in games, which Imanaga started this season—the thirty-year-old lefty who got his start in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Imanaga has been a star for the Cubs since making his MLB debut this year. Imanaga is 7-2 through his fifteen starts with a 3.07 ERA.
A stellar start for Imanaga has him hot in the mix for National League Rookie of the Year. His main competition seems to be a fellow pitcher for the Pirates, Paul Skenes. Imanaga has also put himself in a deserving position to earn the Cubs All-Star spot. This would be a remarkable start to his career should Imanaga make an All-Star team in his first season.
The Japanese phenom has continued to grow his stardom since moving from the NPB to the MLB. Imanaga has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the entire MLB this season, and all signs point to that continuing for years to come.
Photo Credit: Shota Imanaga #18 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on June 27, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
