Shedding last year’s late-season struggles, the southpaw is dominating with an electric splitter and pinpoint control, forcing Chicago to consider him for a high-stakes Wild Card nod.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga is starting to get into a groove on the mound.
At this time last year, Imanaga was sort of reeling on the mound. He had a 5.97 ERA and a 19.4% strikeouts over his last six starts of the regular season. The southpaw allowed at least three runs in each of those six outings and even gave up eight earned runs across 5 ⅔ innings in his last start before the postseason.
Those subpar numbers then continued into the playoffs. Imanaga gave up two runs across four innings against the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Round and allowed four runs across 2 ⅔ innings against the Milwaukee Brewers in the Division Series. The Cubs couldn’t even rely on him in a pivotal win-or-go-home game against the Brewers.
However, things have been different for Imanaga as the regular season comes to a close this season. The Cubs left-hander has put together three straight strong starts.
He threw six innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts against the Miami Marlins on September 4, delivered six innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 11, and just recently threw six innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts against the Atlanta Braves on September 16.
Imanaga’s start against the Braves on Wednesday was one of his best starts of the season. He shut down a top-5 offense in baseball, and his swing-and-miss stuff showed up big-time. The 33-year-old induced 20 whiffs in this outing, with 14 of those 20 whiffs coming on his electric splitter that was working overtime in the win.
This version of Imanaga is much different from the one that showed up late last season. Shoving six innings of one-run baseball against a playoff team this late into September is definitely encouraging. The southpaw is no doubt pitching his way into the conversation of being one of the Cubs’ three starters in the Wild Card Round.
Imanaga is throwing the ball well right now. He has allowed just four earned runs over his last 18 innings pitched and has done a good job keeping the ball in the park. Although the southpaw is tied with Aaron Nola for the most home runs allowed by a pitcher this season (34), he has given up just one homer in his last three outings.
Imanaga is expected to pitch one final time before the postseason begins. He is currently lined up to face the Miami Marlins next Wednesday. Another good outing at home against Miami could result in the Cubs making the left-hander one of the three postseason starters.
