3 takeaways from the Chicago Cubs’ series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, including Shota Imanaga’s sweeper
LOS ANGELES — Shota Imanaga isn’t known for throwing his sweeper much. The sweeper has accounted for only 14% of his pitches thrown this year, well behind his four-seam fastball and splitter usage. However, it became one of his go-to pitches Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he didn’t have a great feel for his best two pitches early.
Imanaga uncharacteristically walked three batters ...
LOS ANGELES — Shota Imanaga isn’t known for throwing his sweeper much. The sweeper has accounted for only 14% of his pitches thrown this year, well behind his four-seam fastball and splitter usage. However, it became one of his go-to pitches Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he didn’t have a great feel for his best two pitches early.
Imanaga uncharacteristically walked three batters in the Cubs’ 6-0 loss at Dodger Stadium, including two in the Dodgers’ three-run first inning. Imanaga hadn’t issued two walks in an inning in more than a year, spanning 154 innings to April 15, 2025, against the Padres. He settled in after shaky command in the opening frame, but the Cubs offense couldn’t get anything going, finishing with just four hits.
“He certainly pitched well after that,” manager Craig Counsell said. “And he got us in the game, and if anything, there’s never really a consolation, but we’ve freshened up some bullpen guys and should be in good shape (next series). ” The uptick in Imanaga’s sweeper usage Sunday, accounting for 29% of his pitches, was a cue in helping him get back on line with the rest of his repertoire.
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