Shota Imanaga posts 2.31 ERA over last seven starts as Cubs lead NL wild-card race

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga has recorded a 2.31 ERA across 39 innings in his last seven starts, during which the team posted a 4-3 record. Imanaga allowed no runs over seven innings on Sunday in a 10-1 win against the Minnesota Twins, permitting six hits and one walk while striking out four batters.

The 32-year-old left-hander has compiled a 3.91 ERA, 109 strikeouts and 1.11 WHIP over 115 innings this season. His July ERA stands at 2.79 across 9 2/3 innings. Imanaga has recorded a 37.4 percent chase rate, which ranks in the 98th percentile, and leads Major League Baseball with a Bases Prevented total of 7.

improvement Imanaga posted a 10.80 ERA during a four-start stretch from May 18 to June 4. Since June 10 he has maintained a 2.31 ERA with 35 strikeouts. His durability has provided stability for a rotation affected by injuries, allowing the Cubs to remain atop the NL wild-card standings despite an uneven season.