'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — The road for Shota Imanaga from Japan to the major leagues included at least one sharp observation that has served him well in his transition to life with the Chicago Cubs.
“Watching foreign players in Japan and how they try to figure out how to get support from the fans, essentially I’m just doing the opposite of that, coming over here,” Imanaga said through a translator. “It was something I thought about.”
From his entertaining pitching style to his trips to Dunkin’ Donuts — “Either I order a small iced latte or a medium,” he said — Imanaga has moved with a purpose in his acclimation to the big leagues. And he is making it look easy at the moment.
Relying on a deceptive four-seam fastball that he usually locates at the top of the strike zone, along with a splitter that plays at the bottom, Imanaga is 5-0 with a 0.84 ERA for the contending Cubs. The left-hander also has 58 strikeouts and nine walks in 53 2/3 innings — thrusting himself into the early conversation for NL Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award.
Related articles
The government wants to buy their flood
HOUSTON (AP) — After the floodwaters earlier this month just about swallowed two of the six homes th2024-05-21Prince William celebrates Aston Villa's opening goal against Lille with Prince George at Villa Park
Prince William and Prince George were seen celebrating Aston Villa's opening goal against Lille at V2024-05-21- If you had offered David Moyes a draw at kick-off, he would most certainly have taken it. If you had2024-05-21
HKFP Lens: Past Macau meets present in Portuguese photographer Gonçalo Lobo Pinheiro's images
Portuguese photojournalist Gonçalo Lobo Pinheiro has sought to capture the changing face of Macau, t2024-05-21Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Noel Gallagher has insisted he would still back Tony Blair for PM - as he warned Keir Starmer not to2024-05-21Robert De Niro, 80, walks hand
Robert De Niro and girlfriend Tiffany Chen were among the A-list stars to attend President Joe Biden2024-05-21
atest comment