Shota

Imanaga

Imanaga allowed just two hits, but the second was a three-run homer from Randal Grichuk that followed a walk and Miguel Vargas’s single in the fourth. He did go on to reach double figures in strikeouts for the third time this season. He ranks 20th in the majors with his 140 strikeouts, and he’s 15th among ERA qualifiers with a 1.09 WHIP.

Imanaga couldn’t keep the ball in the park, as he allowed three homers before being pulled with two outs in the fifth inning. The 32-year-old has been dominant since the start of July, and this was his first outing where he allowed more than three runs since June 24. These things happen, and Imanaga is a good bounceback candidate for Sunday’s scheduled start against the Cardinals.

The run came on Shohei Ohtani’s homer to lead off the first. Imanaga allowed seven more hits afterwards, but they were all singles, and he didn’t walk anyone. He has a 1.21 ERA in his last five starts, though two of those produced losses anyway. He’ll face the Nationals next week.

Imananga allowed just two other hits besides the dingers and walked none. He’s managed a 2.41 ERA in 41 innings over his last seven starts after a brief swoon in late May and early June. He allowed only four hard-hit balls, but when two of them go over the fence and your team gives you zero runs of support, it’s unideal. Imananga will draw the Dodgers next week in a start that feels a little scary.

It was supposed to be Shota Imanaga taking the ball, but that’s no longer happening. It’s possible he’s dealing with an injury or the Cubs want to give him some extra rest. It seems likely they wanted to have him face a lefty-heavy Yankees lineup on Friday evening instead. Fantasy managers should check back in case there are any unexpected developments in the next few days.

Imanaga gave up four hits, walked one and struck out four. He improved to 7-8 with the win. Imanaga has a scoreless streak of 13 innings over his last two starts. The 32-year-old left-hander has lowered his ERA to 3.72 in the process. Imanaga is lined up to face the Cardinals on the road next week.

Imanaga didn’t have to be at his best with Zebby Matthews giving up a couple handfuls of runs, but he certainly was close to it. The southpaw scattered six hits and a walk, and he was able to strike out four. He generated nine swings-and-misses, and just seven balls hit off Imanaga registered as hard contact. Imanaga will take a 3.91 ERA into a scheduled start Saturday against the Pirates.

Imanaga was locked in a pitcher’s duel with Hunter Greene, as both pitchers tossed four scoreless innings to begin the game. Imanaga was the first to fold on the night when he allowed a solo homer to Elly De La Cruz in the fifth inning to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. It would be the only run Imanaga would allow on the night, as the righty did his part to hold the Reds in check but received no run support from his offense. Imanaga enters the All-Star Break with a 5-8 record and a 4.17 ERA.

Imanaga surrendered a leadoff homer to JJ Wetherholt in the first inning. Two walks and a hit brought a second run home to score in the third. Imanaga would pitch into the fifth, leaving with two outs and a runner on at 86 pitches. He walked three and collected eight strikeouts. The 32-year-old left-hander will take a 4.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 100/26 K/BB ratio across 103 innings into a start against the Orioles in Baltimore on Thursday.

Imanaga gave up nine hits, walked none and struck out four. The 32-year-old left-hander was pulled after getting the first out of the seventh inning and throwing 97 pitches. He’s earned the win in just one of his last nine starts. Imanaga’s ERA is 4.30. He’s lined up to face the Cardinals at home this weekend.