CHICAGO (AP) — The road for Shota Imanaga from Japan to the major leagues included at least one sharp observation that has served him well in his transition to life with the Chicago Cubs.
“Watching foreign players in Japan and how they try to figure out how to get support from the fans, essentially I’m just doing the opposite of that, coming over here,” Imanaga said through a translator. “It was something I thought about.”
From his entertaining pitching style to his trips to Dunkin’ Donuts — “Either I order a small iced latte or a medium,” he said — Imanaga has moved with a purpose in his acclimation to the big leagues. And he is making it look easy at the moment.
Relying on a deceptive four-seam fastball that he usually locates at the top of the strike zone, along with a splitter that plays at the bottom, Imanaga is 5-0 with a 0.84 ERA for the contending Cubs. The left-hander also has 58 strikeouts and nine walks in 53 2/3 innings — thrusting himself into the early conversation for NL Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award.
Saudi Arabia is going to sponsor the WTA women's tennis rankings under a new partnership
The Latest: Iran launches large
Beijing calls for restoring dialogue
China slams harassment of ship crew by US Customs
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
4 dead in Ecuador traffic accident
4 dead in Ecuador traffic accident
First unit of Maerdang Hydropower Station connected to grid
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
More flights between China, US approved
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
Mexico protests to UN chief over Ecuador's raid on embassy