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. |
From Migrant Worker to Reform PioneerACWF's Suggestions and Proposals Focus on Needs of Women, ChildrenPic Story: Illiterate Granny Becomes Writer in Twilight YearsHuang Xiaowei Joins Panel Discussion of 3rd Session of 13th CPPCC National CommitteeChina Initiates Campaign to Honor Role Models in Enhancing River, Lake ProtectionACWF President Underlines PeopleTwo SessionsACWF Honors Woman Devoting to Girls' Education in MountainsFrom masterpiece to marketplace, creative museum souvenirs go viral among Chinese youthACWF Calls on Women to Contribute to Battle Against Epidemic