Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga Settling In Their Own In The Cubs Rotation

A lot of talk has been made about how much the Chicago Cubs need to acquire an ace at this year’s trade deadline.

That should really be at the top of the Cubs’ wish list, given all the injuries this rotation has dealt with this season. Cade Horton is out for the year, Justin Steele won’t be starting any games down the stretch, Ben Brown’s timeline to return is unclear, and Edward Cabrera still finds himself ramping back up from a hamstring/adductor strain. 

While acquiring at least one premier starting pitcher at the deadline is a must, there are two Cubs starters who are really providing a boost to this rotation. Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga have been really consistent on the mound as of late. 

Boyd started on Friday and was in control in that entire outing. The southpaw threw seven innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He kept the Cubs in that game before they won it in extra-innings. 

Then, Shota Imanaga took the mound on Saturday opposite reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes. Imanaga outdueled Skenes in that start by throwing six shutout innings with four strikeouts. 

Both Boyd and Imanaga were fantastic in the first two games of this series against the Pirates. However, their recent performances on the mound are nothing new, considering both pitchers have been at the top of their game recently. 

Boyd has certainly returned to that All-Star form again. He has a 2.41 ERA over his last seven starts. The Cubs are 7-0 in those starts, and the southpaw has allowed one run or fewer in three of his last four outings. Those starts included throwing six shutout innings against the Orioles on July 7, six innings of one-run ball against the Twins on July 18, and seven innings of one-run ball in his most recent start against the Pirates. 

As for Imanaga, he has been the most consistent pitcher on this team in 2026. He owns a solid 3.72 ERA, 1.099 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts across 121 innings pitched and has posted even better numbers over the past six weeks. The Cubs left-hander has a 2.00 ERA in his last eight starts since June 10. 

Given the way Boyd and Imanaga have thrown the ball over the last few weeks, the Cubs would feel comfortable rolling with both pitchers out in the postseason. That’s how good both have been on the mound.