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.
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
Your guide to a year in Greece: Time your trip to get the best of the country's historic sites
Hurricanes Poua won't be allowed to repeat haka criticising government
What Is Gambling Addiction and How Widespread Is It in US?
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
Plane passengers rate their airline breakfasts
Couple swapped the U.S for Germany 'to be near the most beautiful mountains in the world'
On Your Side: Survey reveals many college students carry credit
Target to lower prices on basic goods in response to inflation