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Shota Imanaga of Chicago Cubs pitches 5 innings, 7 hits, 2 runs against Yankees in open game
Satisfactory performance in preseason start
Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga started against the New York Yankees in an exhibition game in Mesa, Arizona, pitching 5 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 earned runs, and striking out 5. Despite giving up several hits, he described the outcome as 'acceptable' and expressed satisfaction with his performance. Imanaga highlighted the significance of efficiently pitching 4-5 innings with the remaining 50 pitches, even after throwing 30 pitches in the first inning.
Strategic use of fastballs and sliders
During a post-game interview, Imanaga shared his thoughts on facing MLB hitters. He mentioned an instance in the final inning where he gave up a hit after focusing on fastballs, underscoring that Major League hitters capitalize on location mistakes. He also emphasized the importance of throwing sliders that discomfort hitters, rather than just delivering technically good ones. Imanaga noted that facing hitters like Aaron Judge reinforced the critical role of fastball command.
Emphasizing the synergy of physical and technical skills
Imanaga stated that during spring training, he focused on enhancing his skills through physical conditioning. He admitted that in the past, he solely pursued technical improvements, but realized that in Major League Baseball, skill alone is insufficient without a strong physical foundation. Additionally, he expressed regret over his teammate Seiya Suzuki's injury and hoped for his speedy recovery to contribute to the team's offense.
*Source: YouTube: Kyodo News (2026-03-24)*
