Shota

Imanaga

Unlike last time out, the Cubs didn’t wait for Imanaga to have a misstep before lifting him tonight. He exited with a 1-0 lead after 90 pitches, but he was left with a no-decision after Jacob Webb gave up two runs in the eighth. Imanaga allowed just one hard-hit ball, a 98-mph groundout, and got five popouts tonight. He’ll face the Rockies again, this time at Wrigley, next Monday.

It should have been two runs in six innings and done. In the sixth, however, the Cubs’ one should-have-been-routine-out was a flyball lost in the twilight by Pete Crow-Armstrong, giving Shea Langeliers a two-run homer. The other three ballsin play in the inning were a 107-mph double and lineouts with xBAs of .890 and .860. In spite of that, Craig Counsell sent Imanaga out for the seventh and watched him give up two more homers. Of the four homers Imanaga allowed (including the inside-the-parker) only the last was a homer in more than half of MLB ballparks. This should have been a positive outing for the left-hander. Instead, it goes as a fourth straight bust, leaving him 4-6 with a 4.74 ERA. His next start will be the first of his career in Coors, making him a pretty weak play as a flyball pitcher.

Imanaga gave up three more homers tonight, so that’s eight in his last three starts. His ERA has jumped from 2.32 to 4.37 during the span. However, he’s still throwing harder and missing more bats than he did last year, so he’s probably going to remain useful in mixed leagues going forward. He’s due to face the A’s at home next time out.

Aside from the homers, of course, Imanaga was pretty good today. He allowed just two other hard-hit balls, and he finished the game with 16 whiffs and a 33 percent CSW. It was definitely a less discouraging performance than when he gave up eight runs to the Brewers on Monday. Still, his ERA has suddenly jumped from 2.32 to 4.04 in the span of a week. He’ll certainly keep giving up some homers, but with his velocity and groundball rate back to where they were in 2024, he figures to remain a valuable fantasy starter.

Imanaga gave up nine hits, walked three and struck out two. The 32-year-old left-hander allowed only one run in the first three innings before the Brewers scored a combined seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings. It was undoubtedly Imanaga’s worst outing of the year. He was having such a good season that his ERA is merely 3.38 now. He’ll face the Astros at home this weekend in a bounce-back spot.

That’s a tough loss. Imanaga allowed one run through seven before jamming Michael Harris II to begin the eighth. Nico Hoerner fielded the weak grounder but tried a glove flip that went way over Michael Busch’s head. It should have been an error — Hoerner had time to throw it normally — but it was ruled a single. Imanaga was pulled, and Phil Maton came in to give up a single, a double and a homer. Imanaga struck out six and walked none, but he dropped to 4-3 with a 2.32 ERA. He’ll face the Brewers on Monday.

The Cubs have to be feeling really fortunate that Imanaga stuck around in the offseason. He’s 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA that ranks 11th in the majors. He’s tied for sixth with 53 strikeouts, and he’s 10th with a 0.93 WHIP. He’ll face the Braves on the road next week.

Imanaga was lights out on Saturday, holding the Diamondbacks scoreless over seven innings. He scattered four hits and one walk while striking out five batters on 14 whiffs. It was a nice bounce-back after giving up five runs against the Dodgers in his last start. The 32-year-old left-hander will take a 2.40 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 43/10 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings into a start against the Reds in Chicago on Thursday.

There were some positives for Imanaga in this outing. He was able to whiff six batters, and he compiled 17 swings-and-misses against among his 63 strikes. That’s the end of the optimism, however, as he allowed six hits and three walks before exiting his worst start of 2026. He still possesses a 3.15 ERA and 38/9 K/BB ratio, however, and it would be far from an upset if he bounced back against the Diamondbacks in his next opportunity.

In a game that got hectic late, Imanaga made easy work of the Phillies lineup while he was out there. After walking Trea Turner to start the game, he retired 21 of the final 25 batters he faced. Of the four who reached base, one came via an error and another from an infield hit. He wasn’t even missing many bats, just forcing a combination of lazy fly balls and ground outs. Yet, it felt like this was more a function of the Phillies’ failed approach than Imanaga’s prowess. He constantly fell behind in the count, only throwing a first pitch strike to 11 of the 26 batters he faced. They just couldn’t wait to swing at a bad pitch. Alas, another strong start gives Imanaga a stellar 2.17 ERA on the season so far in what’s been a strong bounceback campaign. He’s lined up to face the Dodgers this Sunday.