Shota's latest gem leaves no doubt: 'He’s been our most valuable player'

CHICAGO -- Shota Imanaga has put up eye-popping statistics in a historic start to his Major League career. But for this Cubs team, one figure is more important than the rest: 11-2.

That’s Chicago's record in games Imanaga has started this season, including Saturday, when the left-hander led the team to a 5-1 win over the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

“It’s hard to imagine where we'd be without him,” Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner said. “I think that's the kind of thing now where you’re aware when his start day’s coming up, and it's an exciting feeling coming to the clubhouse, knowing that you're gonna get to watch him pitch.

“I think the fans feel that, too. They see him take the mound, and there's a murmur in the crowd and a roar.”

When Imanaga walked out to the Cubs’ bullpen to warm up before first pitch, a loud cheer echoed from fans in the bleachers. He paid off their anticipation with another masterful performance in his first career start against St. Louis.

In seven innings, Imanaga allowed just one run on four hits, with six strikeouts and a hit batter. He did not issue a walk, the fifth time he’s done that through 13 starts this season. He lowered his ERA to 1.89, the third-lowest among qualified Major League pitchers this season.

The Cardinals’ one run came across in the fourth inning, after Alec Burleson, who hit a leadoff double, scored on Nolan Arenado’s sac fly. Imanaga needed only 73 pitches to get through six innings, and manager Craig Counsell sent him back out for the seventh.

St. Louis put two runners on base in the seventh -- Arenado was hit by a pitch and Iván Herrera singled -- but Imanaga locked it down.

“Every starter who's in the game at that point, there's some fatigue, absolutely,” Counsell said. “But Shota has proven that he keeps making pitches, and that keeps you in the game.”

Imanaga got Dylan Carlson to fly out to left field, and he then got ahead of Brendan Donovan 1-2. Donovan took a four-seam fastball just off the plate, and Imanaga started to walk off the mound. When home-plate umpire Paul Clemons called it a ball, Imanaga turned toward the outfield and paused for a few moments.

“If it’s a strike, if it’s a ball, that's not something I can control,” Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “So I try not to put too much emotion into something that's out of my control.”

After Donovan fouled off two more pitches, Imanaga got him to swing through a 2-2 sweeper to end the inning and preserve the Cubs’ 2-1 lead. It was his 103rd pitch of the day -- a new career high.

The Cubs’ lefty celebrated with a pair of big fist pumps and a leg kick in between as he walked back to the dugout. His day was over, and Chicago’s offense quickly rewarded him. Ian Happ hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the inning.

“I was pretty hungry, so I was thinking about what kind of food, nutrition I should take after the game,” Imanaga quipped when asked what went through his mind at that moment. “These are my honest thoughts.”

That answer drew a laugh from the media postgame. But it was another moment underscoring Imanaga’s comfort level in his first season in the Major Leagues following a decorated career in Japan.

Along those lines, the nameplate above Imanaga’s locker reads "Mike Imanaga II," which is an alibi he uses when he goes to get coffee. It started as a joke in the clubhouse with his teammates and the staff.

“I'm just thinking about what I can do to get comfortable here, as well as my teammates in the clubhouse,” Imanaga said. “Their communication is great. If it wasn't for the support I have around me, it wouldn't be the case.”

Imanaga has made that easy on his teammates and fans alike with his endearing personality and success on the mound.

“Even in spring, it was at the Dodgers or something, and somebody hit a home run off at him,” Hoerner recalled. “I just really appreciated how he responded to that, just like, ‘Oh, OK,’ and then just on to the next thing.

“He carries himself with a lot of confidence and he's composed, but he also isn't afraid to show emotion, like after that last strikeout. Obviously, a massive moment in the game there.

“He’s been our most valuable player, probably, and just an incredible force for us.”