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. |
Cuba announces unilateral visa exemption for Chinese citizensCreative workshop showcases the enduring power of balletBoost for borrowers as three major UK banks reduce their mortgage ratesFlying car maker plans to take orders this yearGuangzhou blow out Xinjiang to stay alive in playoffsHow 'ruthless' Rory McIlroy is as singleFIFA Congress expected to reach important decisionsLegislation protecting Xinjiang ancient city comes into forceChina gears up for International Museum Day celebrationsAustralia to host 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup