The Chicago Cubs have finally shaken off the jet lag from their trip to Japan for the Tokyo Series and are preparing to “re-open” their season next week against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Currently 0-2, the Cubs will stay in Arizona after spring training concludes and begin a four-game set against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, which will also serve as their home opener. The Cubs recently announced their starting pitchers for the first two games: lefty Justin Steele will take the mound on Thursday, followed by right-hander Jameson Taillon on Friday.
Ahead of their spring training matchup with the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Shota Imanaga is slated to start the third game of the Diamondbacks series next Saturday.
Imanaga had the honor of starting the Cubs’ season opener in Japan, marking his MLB debut on Opening Day and pitching in front of his home fans. He faced off against fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Though Imanaga didn’t factor into the decision, he impressed by tossing four no-hit innings, issuing four walks and striking out two.
His scheduled start in Arizona positions him, barring any changes, to also start the Cubs’ home opener at Wrigley Field against the San Diego Padres on April 4.
Here’s how it lines up:
After wrapping up their series with Arizona the Sunday following Imanaga’s start, the Cubs will head to Sacramento for a three-game series against the Athletics, who are playing there temporarily while awaiting their new stadium in Las Vegas. Following that series, the Cubs will return to Chicago and have a day off on Thursday, giving Imanaga normal rest before his next outing.
That scenario would give him the unique distinction of starting two different “openers” in the same season: the neutral-site season opener in Japan and the home opener at Wrigley Field.
Shota Imanaga is coming off an impressive rookie campaign. Last season, he posted a 15-3 record with a 2.91 ERA across 29 starts, racking up 174 strikeouts while issuing just 28 walks over 173.1 innings. His strong performance earned him an All-Star selection, a fourth-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year race, and fifth in the NL Cy Young voting.
Justin Steele, who was the Cubs’ Opening Day starter last season, took the mound for their second game in Japan this year. He pitched four innings, allowing five hits and five earned runs, with five strikeouts and one walk.
