Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga earned a no-decision in his first start of 2025, but he held the powerful Dodgers' lineup hitless for four innings. He issued a pair of back-to-back walks to start the second inning and two more in the fourth inning but was able to avoid any damage. He struck out Teoscar Hernandez for the first strikeout of the MLB season and finished with two strikeouts on the day. He ended up throwing 69 pitches to get through four innings, so he'll need to improve his efficiency and cut down on walks going forward to go deeper into games. Aside from that, though, the 31-year-old lefty looked great in his first start of his second MLB season and will look to anchor the Cubs rotation once again this season. The Cubs start the stateside part of their schedule Thursday, March 27, with a four-game set in Arizona. The team has not announced its plans yet, but Imanaga will likely get his second start in that series.
The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that left-hander Shota Imanaga will start on Opening Day on March 18 in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Imanaga exceeded expectations in his first year in the big leagues in 2024, making the All-Star team while going 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA (3.72 FIP), 1.02 WHIP and 174:28 K:BB in 173 1/3 innings over his 29 starts. The 31-year-old southpaw came with less fanfare than Japanese righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who he is likely to square off against in Tokyo, but he excelled by limiting hard contact and posting an impressive 4.0 percent walk rate. Imanaga returned excellent value for those that took a chance on him last year, but considering his low .264 BABIP and 3.72 FIP, it would be wise to expect some regression in Year 2. Still, Imanaga is worth drafting as a No. 2 fantasy starting pitcher in 2025.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga will start one of the games in the Tokyo series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Craig Counsell said, "Yes, Shota's going to pitch in Japan. I think that's mandated. I don't think I have a choice." Fantasy managers should expect Justin Steele to get the starting nod in the other game of the series. Imanaga made his MLB debut last season and looked quite comfortable, posting a 2.91 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. He struck out 174 batters across 173 1/3 innings. Imanaga showed elite command of his pitches as he posted a near-perfect four percent walk rate. However, Imanaga generated ground balls at a low 37.2 percent rate, which could cause him some regression for the 2025 season. However, given his elite command, he is a great target when looking to improve your WHIP ratio. He will have a difficult task facing a potent Dodgers lineup in this series, but he should be started in all formats.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was dominant on Sunday, shutting out the Washington Nationals for seven frames in a 5-0 win. Imanaga gave up six hits, walked none, and struck out four in this one. He has been a model of consistency for the Cubs, allowing three runs or less in all but three of his starts this season. His numbers are ace-like, and he should be drafted as one heading into next season. He gets the Reds in his final start of the season, where he will be a clear must-start.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga continued his excellent rookie season in Monday's 9-2 win over the Athletics. Imanaga pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits (including a two-run home run) and three walks with 11 strikeouts. The 31-year-old has seamlessly adapted to Major League Baseball and is now 14-3 with a 3.03 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 9.20 K/9 rate in 28 starts and 166 1/3 IP. His only slight blemish has been his 1.46 HR/9 rate, which was a known part of his game from his time in Japan. His next start will be a favorable one against the Nationals.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga led the way on Wednesday evening in a combined no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The southpaw logged seven innings and allowed just two free passes while striking out seven. Cubs skipper Craig Counsell then turned to Nate Pearson to pitch in the eighth and Porter Hodge to close out the final frame. This was an excellent bounce-back for Imanaga, as he has carried a 3.68 ERA since the start of August. In addition, this was another strong sign that Hodge is growing into a closer role in the Northside as he was called upon to close out the no-hitter. The 23-year-old has tallied two saves in his past five outings with no earned runs and a 1.06 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor who sees the majority of save opportunities down the stretch in Chicago. Imanaga is currently lined up to face the high-powered Los Angeles Dodgers in his next start.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga went six innings in Friday's 7-6 victory over the Nationals, allowing three earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight on the way to picking up his 11th win of the season. It was the southpaw's 15th quality start of the year out of 25 starts, and he's now got a 3.14 ERA on the season with a 1.05 WHIP and a 21.2% K-BB%. The 30-year-old lines up with Pittsburgh at home in his next start, a team he shut down over seven innings at home earlier this season, allowing no runs on four hits and a walk while striking out seven.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga continued his excellent rookie season in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Twins. Imanga pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on two hits (including a two-run home run) and a walk with 10 strikeouts. The 20-year-old has made a seamless transition from Nippon Professional Baseball and is now 9-2 with a 3.06 ERA, a 9.34 K/9 rate, and a 1.31 BB/9 rate in 21 starts and 123 1/3 IP. His 1.24 HR/9 rate is even tolerable, given the scouting report on him was occasionally high home run totals. His next matchup will be a tougher one at the Guardians, but Imanaga has clearly proven to be a must-start fantasy pitcher.
Shota Imanaga Punches Out 10 Batters, Allows One Run Sunday
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga had a stellar Sunday afternoon hurling seven one-run innings while punching out 10 batters with two hits and one walk allowed in a 2-1 extra-inning victory versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. After having a rough 5.67 ERA in June, mostly due to a 10-run blow-up performance against the New York Mets and a couple of short outings from the end of May and beginning of June, Imanaga proved to baseball fans everywhere once again that there is more than just one great "Sho" in town. Imanaga has been superb in three July starts with a 1.89 ERA in three games versus loaded lineups in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Arizona. Paul Skenes was looking like he could runaway with the National League Rookie of the Year Award, but Imanaga's last few performances have gotten him back in the race. It will be a fun battle to watch between these two exciting starting pitchers that is for sure. Look for Imanaga to continue the "Sho" against the Kansas City Royals next weekend.
Shota Imanaga Dazzles With Six Shutout Innings Against O's
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was brilliant in Wednesday's start against the hosting Baltimore Orioles, firing six shutout innings with six strikeouts. Imanaga netted his ninth win of the season on Wednesday, shutting down the hard-hitting O's lineup on six hits and one walk. Despite a few hiccups here and there this year, the 30-year-old All-Star left-hander heads to the Midsummer Classic with a stellar 2.97 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 98 punchouts and 16 walks over 17 starts (97 innings) for the Cubs during his debut season in the major leagues.
Shota Imanaga
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Cubs
