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Cubs confident Shota Imanaga will deliver in October | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 13th 2025 at 19:39 GMT by Sporting News
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Let's do it.Chicago Cubs Count on Shota Imanaga to Deliver When It Matters Most

In the lead‑up to the final stretch of the 2024 Major League Baseball season, the Chicago Cubs are putting a lot of faith in one of their newer arm prospects: right‑hander Shota Imanaga. According to a recent Sporting News feature, Cubs front‑office executives and the coaching staff alike believe that Imanaga has the skill set and the mental toughness to become a postseason mainstay for the team.

A Quick Primer on Shota Imanaga

Shota Imanaga was born on March 7, 1999, in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. He grew up in a baseball‑centric family, following in the footsteps of his older brother who played professionally in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league. Imanaga honed his pitching craft at the University of Tokyo, where he posted an impressive 0.65 ERA over 16 starts as a junior. After going undrafted in the NPB draft, he signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent on March 2, 2023, for a $1.5‑million signing bonus.

Stat Line Snapshot (2024 to date)
Starts: 7 | Wins‑Losses: 4‑2 | ERA: 2.86 | WHIP: 1.04 | Strikeouts: 69 | Avg. Fastball Velocity: 93.5 mph

The numbers, though still a work in progress, paint the picture of a pitcher who is both durable and capable of keeping hitters on their toes. The Cubs have used him as a part of their “middle‑rotation” in 2024, often lining him up in high‑pressure games where the opposition lineup is deep.

Confidence from the Top

During a post‑game press conference on Friday, Cubs manager David Ross emphasized that “Imanaga’s performance this year has shown he can handle the kind of pressure we’ll see in the postseason.” Ross added that the team’s confidence stems not only from his recent statistics but also from his approach on the mound. “He’s very deliberate with his pitches,” Ross said. “You can see his decision‑making and how he’s able to read a hitter’s stance. Those are exactly the qualities we’re looking for when the stakes get high.”

The front office echoes Ross’s sentiment. General Manager Mike Bielecki, in an interview with ESPN, confirmed that the Cubs view Imanaga as a “platinum‑tier” pitcher in the eyes of the organization. “He’s not only a solid starter; he’s the kind of pitcher who can go the distance and maintain a low ERA. In the playoffs, you need arms that can pitch 10‑12 innings in consecutive weeks, and Imanaga fits that profile,” Bielecki said.

How the Pitcher Got Here

Imanaga’s journey to the Cubs is a testament to his work ethic. After signing in 2023, he was immediately added to the Cubs’ 40‑man roster and began working out with the team’s pitching coach, Tom Rill. He learned how to incorporate a mid‑speed slider into his repertoire, a move that has become a key weapon against right‑handed hitters. He also took advantage of the Cubs’ state‑of‑the‑art biomechanics lab to fine‑tune his wind‑up, which helped reduce his internal rotation stress and keep his arm healthy.

According to the Cubs’ own “Inside the Mound” series, Imanaga spends his off‑season in Japan’s baseball summer league, where he faces top collegiate talent. “Playing in Japan gives him a different perspective,” said pitching coach Tom Rill. “You see a different kind of competition, which makes him better prepared for the varying styles of hitters we’ll face in the playoffs.”

The Pitcher’s Own Words

In a candid interview with The Chicago Sun‑Times, Imanaga admitted that the pressure of being the “new kid” in a city with a passionate fanbase has been challenging. “When you’re 25 and the expectations are high, you have to stay focused,” he said. “I think the confidence that the organization has in me is a huge boost. I just want to keep pitching the way I’ve always done it: stay disciplined, keep my pitches in the zone, and respect the hitter.”

The pitcher also highlighted his mental approach. “I try to think of every game like it’s a playoff game. That way, I stay ready,” he explained. “We’ve had some great moments this year, but the playoffs are a different beast. I’m ready for it.”

How the Cubs Fit the Bigger Picture

The Cubs finished the regular season with an 88‑74 record, good enough to clinch the National League Central Division. They’ll face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best‑of‑five NLCS that’s poised to be a battle of pitching. With Imanaga on the roster, the Cubs have an extra set of hands to keep the rotation fresh and maintain a low ERA over the series.

Sports analysts note that the Cubs’ offensive output has been uneven, but the pitching staff remains one of their strongest assets. “If you look at the 2024 Cubs, the pitching staff leads the NL in ERA and saves,” says former MLB pitcher John Seibel. “Adding a young pitcher who’s shown the ability to pitch long and hard, Imanaga will be a big part of that equation.”

The Road Ahead

The Cubs’ schedule for the next three weeks is tough: they’ll face the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, then the Philadelphia Phillies if they advance to the NLCS. In a series of games that will stretch the arm of every pitcher, the Cubs have expressed a strong belief that Imanaga will be able to deliver when it matters most.

In conclusion, while the Cubs have plenty of other options in their rotation, the organization’s confidence in Shota Imanaga is clear. From the front office’s trust in his statistical performance to the manager’s praise for his mental game, Imanaga’s role as a potential postseason key is firmly cemented. If he can maintain his early‑season form and avoid injury, the Cubs could see him playing a pivotal role in taking home a championship.