Imanaga pads All-Star case vs. MLB-best Phils

CHICAGO -- In a season that has slipped off the rails in the first half for the Cubs, Shota Imanaga has been a steady hand. With the exception of a couple starts gone awry, the rookie lefty has authored a standout campaign that could have him in the National League Rookie of the Year Award conversation in the fall.

For now, there might be a place on the NL All-Star team for Imanaga, who held up his end with a quality start opposite Phillies ace Zack Wheeler in Wednesday night’s 5-3 loss at Wrigley Field. Imanaga was not ready to discuss the possibility of heading to the July 16 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard.

“I think I just want to answer that if that does happen,” Imanaga said via his interpreter, Edwin Stanberry.

There is a respect factor there on the part of Imanaga, who understands the disappointment Cubs fans are feeling over the way the past two months have gone. The defeat at the hands of the NL-leading Phillies was the eighth in the past 10 games for Chicago, which sits in last place in the NL Central and has slid to nine games under .500 at 39-48.

Consider, however, that the Cubs have posted a 12-4 record in the games started by Imanaga this season, compared to 27-44 in the rest of their contests. Overall, he has logged a 7-2 ledger with a 3.16 ERA that currently ranks 10th in the NL. Imanaga has 92 strikeouts against just 15 walks in his 91 innings for the North Siders.

Even with that strong performance -- one that included the lowest ERA (0.84) on record for a rookie's first nine career starts -- Imanaga has downplayed his case as an All-Star. After his previous outing in San Francisco, he said, “I feel like I'm not quite there yet. I'm not pitching to that standard.”

Told of that personal assessment, Cubs left fielder Ian Happ smiled.

“He’s been very, very modest,” Happ said. “He’s been fantastic. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game, but definitely as far as rookies go, what he’s been able to do in his first 16 starts in the big leagues has been super impressive.

“From our vantage point, he’s been the guy for us all year. I would be honored for him to represent the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game.”

The starting rosters for the American League and National League All-Star teams were announced on Wednesday, but the reserves and pitchers will be revealed at 4:30 p.m. CT on Sunday on ESPN. The Midsummer Classic is set for 7 p.m. CT on July 16 on FOX at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Had their seasons not been impacted by injuries, Cubs starters Justin Steele (3.20 ERA in 12 starts), Javier Assad (3.04 ERA in 16 starts) or Jameson Taillon (3.03 ERA in 13 starts) might have better All-Star arguments. As things stand, Imanaga looks like the most likely player to get the honor for the Cubs this year.

“I think we have a couple guys that certainly have played well enough to deserve it,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “In Shota's case, look, the numbers speak for themselves. They really do. He's pitched really, really well. He's been fun to watch pitch. He's given us a chance to win.

“Maybe there's two starts where he's struggled, but other than that, it's been really strong performances. That's certainly All-Star worthy.”

The two starts Counsell referenced came on May 29 in Milwaukee and on June 21 at home against the Mets. In those two outings combined, Imanaga allowed 17 earned runs in 7 1/3 innings. Outside of those rough starts, Imanaga has turned in a 1.61 ERA in the remaining 83 2/3 innings on his season line.

Imanaga has 10 quality starts, which includes the six-inning effort against the Phillies. The lefty allowed a solo homer to Rafael Marchán in the third inning and a two-run blast to Alec Bohm in the sixth, but was otherwise solid. Imanaga finished with eight strikeouts and one walk, and escaped the night with a no-decision.

“He's very good at giving us six, seven [innings],” said Cubs rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had a pair of RBI doubles in the loss. “Every time Shota goes out, he does a phenomenal job of executing. And he gave us another strong, strong outing.”

Does Imanaga thing it was enough to solidify his spot on the All-Star team?

“I did want to have a better performance,” he said. “It’s not really up to me.”