Shota Imanaga was strong on Saturday when the Chicago Cubs needed it most. Chicago came into the game on Saturday with back-to-back losses and seven out of their last ten.
The Cubs are still leading for the National League Wildcard, but things have gotten interesting. Saturday’s game was a big lift for Chicago, which moved to 69-53 with a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Shota Imanaga, the 31-year-old from Japan, went seven strong innings and allowed three hits and just a single run in the win. Imanaga struck out six batters and walked two in the game.
He is now 9-5 on the season. In August, he has gone 20 innings, allowed 10 hits, and just five earned runs. During those starts, Imanaga has struck out 22 and walked just two.
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The offense for Chicago came following trailing in the game 1-0 on a Tommy Pham solo blast from the Pirates. Carson Kelly tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, and then Chicago picked up two in the bottom of the eighth to win the game.
Tommy Pham demolished this ball 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/2jqWlvATfb
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 16, 2025
Seiya Suzuki and Nick Hoerner both drove in runs. Chicago ended the game with nine hits, while Pittsburgh had five.
Nico knocks! pic.twitter.com/g1vXlZ7KSM
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 16, 2025
The same two teams will meet up for the rubber match with Javier Assad going for the Cubs.
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