Imanaga came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Pirates, scattering four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
The 30-year-old lefty was locked in a pitchers' duel with Bailey Falter, which prevented either starter from getting a decision, but Imanaga still impressed. He generated 22 swinging strikes among his 88 pitches, and he now sports a 0.84 ERA -- the lowest mark in history through a pitcher's first nine career MLB starts. Imanaga will also take a 0.91 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB through 53.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in St. Louis.
Imanaga did not factor into the decision Monday against Atlanta, allowing seven hits and three walks over five shutout innings. He struck out eight.
With his five shutout frames Monday, Imanaga shaved his ERA down to 0.96, a sterling mark for his first 46.2 major league innings. However, the Atlanta offense made the Cubs lefty work hard for his scoreless night as they had 10 baserunners and drew three walks, both setting season-highs allowed for Imanaga. He draws a much easier opponent in his next start, scheduled against Pittsburgh at home this upcoming weekend.
Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Lasts seven innings in no-decision
Rotowire
Imanaga didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against San Diego, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk across seven innings. He struck out eight.
Imanaga allowed more than five hits for the first time this season and tied his season-high earned-run total, but it was hardly a disappointing start for the rookie, who's arguably been the best starter in baseball. He blanked the Padres through seven innings but allowed an infield single to Luis Arraez and a home run to Jurickson Profar in the eighth before being pulled. Imanaga has fanned seven or more batters in three straight starts, and the Cubs are 7-0 overall in his starts. The lefty is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Tuesday in Atlanta.
Imanaga (5-0) tossed seven scoreless innings to earn the win in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over the Mets. He allowed three hits and a walk, while striking out seven.
Imanaga continued the amazing start to his MLB career, as he now has a stellar 0.78 ERA across 34.2 innings to go along with 35 strikeouts. The lefty has allowed zero earned runs in four of his six appearances so far, and the most he's allowed in an outing was the two earned runs he gave up back on April 20. While it seems unlikely that Imanaga will be able to keep up this incredible pace, it does look like he's already cemented himself as a fantasy star this season. He'll look to keep rolling in his next scheduled start, which is penciled in for Tuesday against the Padres.
