Imanaga dazzles in return as Cubs maintain NL Central lead

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Shota Imanaga dazzles in return to mound as Cubs maintain NL Central lead

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 12:35 AM ET

After dropping Monday's opener, the Chicago Cubs managed to leave St. Louis with an important series win and maintain their position in the driver's seat of the National League Central race.

Now three games ahead of Milwaukee and 4.5 in front of the Cardinals, the Cubs took Thursday's game, 3-0, after also winning in a shutout on Wednesday.

One home run, a few clutch hits and a complete team effort on the mound led Chicago to blanking the Cardinals and ruining their hopes of narrowing the standings.

Getting the Cubs on the board early, first baseman Michael Busch sent the ball into the stands in right field. Bush's 13th home run of the season was one of his two hits in the game.

Buschy goes yard! pic.twitter.com/phJM9wRjH7
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 26, 2025

Chicago would add one more in the fourth and then another in the eighth inning, including an RBI from Ian Happ.

Both runs would prove to be unnecessary thanks to the performance of returning starter Shota Imanaga and the four Cubs' relievers who backed him up.

In his return from the injured list, Imanaga gave up just one hit in five innings while striking out five batters. Imanaga last pitched on May 4.

chat, shota is back! pic.twitter.com/vMqo3eqoKp
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 26, 2025

He was then supported by four members of the Cubs' bullpen — Caleb Thielbar, Brad Keller, Drew Pomeranz and Daniel Palencia — who combined to allow only two more hits and four total base runners.

Sitting comfortably at the top of the NL Central at 48-33, the Cubs will now play two American League teams before another matchup with the rival Cardinals. Chicago starts the weekend on Friday night in Houston for a three-game set with the red-hot Astros.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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