Japanese rookie Shota Imanaga has been a standout performer for the Chicago Cubs early in the MLB season, boasting an impressive 5-0 record and a minimal 0.78 ERA.
His remarkable performance has made him an instant favorite at Wrigley Field, especially needed after a lackluster offseason for the team.
During his first start in New York City against the Mets on Wednesday, Imanaga shared a charming observation that endeared him even further to fans. “The view from the hotel, I recognize it from Spider-Man,” he commented through his interpreter. As a self-proclaimed comic book enthusiast and Marvel Cinematic Universe fan, this quirky take on NYC’s skyline certainly left an impression.
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In the game itself, Imanaga continued his dominant streak, leading the Cubs to a narrow 1-0 victory in what turned out to be a controversial finish. He pitched seven scoreless innings, during which he gave up just three hits and struck out seven, despite noting a temporary drop in his fastball velocity which later normalized to 93.4 mph.
Remarkably, Imanaga has set a historical milestone, becoming the first pitcher since at least 1901 to start his career 5-0 with an ERA under 1.00. “My fastball wasn’t at its highest today, but I managed to make adjustments with [catcher Miguel] Amaya,” Imanaga explained postgame. “I focused on avoiding lazy fastballs and hard contact, trying to steer clear of the bats’ sweet spots. Some pitches were lucky, but the adjustments paid off.”
The game’s decisive moment came when the Mets’ Pete Alonso was called out at home plate on a contentious play, denying a would-be sacrifice fly that could have tied the game.
New York challenged the play, arguing that Amaya had blocked the plate, but the umpires upheld the call, sealing the Cubs’ victory.
