Shota Imanaga Under Pressure Following Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Impressive Display, Cubs Star Set for Massive Shohei Ohtani Showdown

It’s Japan vs Japan in Wrigley Field. This series between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers is certainly special. Where else will you find four of Japan’s best ballplayers going head-to-head against each other? Shohei Ohtani and the $325 million Yoshinobu Yamamoto on one side, Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki on the other. Till now we’ve seen three of those names excel in the series – will the fourth one join that club too?

Yamamoto has found his footing after his rough debut in Seoul. Ever since then the ace has gone 10 runless innings and struck out batters like he used to do in Japan. Yesterday’s game against the Chicago Cubs saw Yamamoto collect 8 strikeouts, his highest in that brief 3 game career. With the man effectively displaying his heroics to the enchanted crowd in the Wrigley Field – can Shota Imanaga too do something similar today?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines as Shota Imanaga hopes to continue his good run

As MLB.com reported, Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out 8 batters and recorded his first win yesterday. However, that wasn’t the only positive side of his performance. The $325 million star’s biggest moments came in the 1st and 2nd inning. Yamamoto was struck in a bases-loaded jam during these innings but the way he escaped of them made even the fans in Chicago applaud him.

In his first inning, Yamamoto struck out Christopher Morel, Dansby Swanson, and Michael Busch back-to-back and left all the runners stranded. Similarly in the 2nd inning, Cody Bellinger was left looking after Yamamoto threw a wicked curveball. With his fastball and curveball confusing the batters, Yamamoto got 13 swings and misses on Saturday.

However, today marks the test of another Japanese ace who joined the league this season. Unlike Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga’s debut was nothing short of spectacular. The Philosopher struck out 9 hitters of the Colorado Rockies on April 1 without giving a single walk. Ever since then Imanaga’s upcoming battle with Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers has been awaited by the fans. With the series currently tied at 1-1, Imanaga’s performance has become even more important for the Cubs.

The Philosopher vs Shohei Ohtani – a battle to remember 

Yesterday we saw Seiya Suzuki go up against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. While the in-form hitter didn’t make a difference, he managed to get one walk against Yamamoto. Today Imanaga will go against Shohei Ohtani. While Shotime started slowly, he has since returned to his best. In his last three games, Ohtani has averaged .462 and has two homers and four RBIs. 

That has made it even more interesting. In his debut, Imanaga didn’t look like a pitcher who was just starting in the major leagues. His pitching control and upward swings of his ball could trouble the Dodgers. Especially during this time when strong winds have been flowing through the city. 

This series has given quite a few memorable moments to fans till now. One hopes that Imanaga too generates the kind of impact that makes the North Siders fall even more in love with their Japanese Philosopher.

Read more: Shota Imanaga Set to Overshadow Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Lefty Star Impresses in Cubs Debut