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.
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Young Conductor Dedicated to Improving Services on China
Exploring Liu Zongyuan's Life, Great Achievements
A Couple's Efforts to Conduct Patriotic Education Among Children
Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
Dancer Tells Stories of China Through Ballet
Proud to Witness China's Development
Entrepreneur Serves Motherland, Promotes Hometown's Development
US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
Tujia Woman Promotes Ethnic Culture Through Literature, Songs