Cubs' Shota Imanaga is having a career-defining season

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga. David Banks-Imagn Images

Cubs' Shota Imanaga is having a career-defining season

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 8, 2026 2:56 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are off to a historic start (26-12) with a nine-game winning streak and their 15th straight win at Wrigley Field.

While it's been a combined effort from the Cubs, starter Shota Imanaga deserves the spotlight.

The 32-year-old Japanese ace is having a career-defining season on account of his dominant start as the anchor in the rotation. He's attained this status through his mental toughness following past struggles.

His strong start in 2026 has been upheld by recording five games with six innings pitched and giving up less than two earned runs.

As well, he's boasting a 2.28 ERA (11th in MLB), 53 strikeouts and a 0.93 WHIP across 47.1 innings pitched. His elite strikeout ability is evidenced by two 10-strikeout performances this season.

Shota Imanaga is having a CAREER YEAR.

2.28 ERA.
5 games with 6.0 IP & less than 2 ER.
3 games with 9+ Ks.

LET SHOTA COOK pic.twitter.com/aaFsixnE9A
— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) May 8, 2026

Highlighting Shota Imanaga's electrifying season

A defining element that has helped Imanaga showcase his mastery has been his ability to limit the long ball. In 2025, he gave up 31 home runs, and so far this season, he's only surrendered three across his first eight starts this season.

His potent arsenal consists of a refined fastball and splitter combo. His high fastball and low splitter have contributed to a 40.5% chase rate. Imanaga also owns an overall 39.9 % chase rate (98th percentile).

As well, his increased usage of his powerful splitter has been a fundamental swing-and-miss weapon late in counts.

A healthy Imanaga has demonstrated an increased fastball velocity (92 mph), groundball (32.5%) and strikeout rate (28.3%). Additionally, his polished performance this season has also been accompanied by a 2.73 FIP across his first seven starts (4.93 FIP in 2025).

Imanaga has established dominant command on the mound. On May 2, he recorded seven scoreless innings and generated 14 whiffs against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

April 15 was also one of his double-digit strikeout performances, but it also tied his career-high (11) against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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