Cubs’ Craig Counsell said the worst possible thing about Shota Imanaga
What did the Cubs manager have to say?
Cubs’ Craig Counsell said the worst possible thing about Shota Imanaga originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Craig Counsell had some comments about Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga that didn't sit right.
The comments weren't unfair, but to come out and say them, and essentially admit this at this stage of his career, is somewhat of a problem. When the Cubs signed him from the NPB, there were concerns that the left-hander allowed far too many home runs. That was an issue for him in Japan, and it seems to be one for him in America right now.
The long ball bit him again against the Washington Nationals in his first outing of the year, allowing four earned runs on six hits in 5. 0 innings, including a home run. Speaking about it, Counsell made it seem like there's really nothing he can do about it.
“Shota is going to give up home runs,” Counsell said , per the Sun-Times. “It’s kind of the nature of the pitcher he is. But the three-run home runs, you have to prevent those because those are game-changing swings.