Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs made history by lowering his ERA to 0.84 after seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, marking the lowest ERA through a pitcher's first nine career starts since 1913. The standout moment came when Imanaga struck out Michael A. Taylor to end the seventh inning, cementing his place in the record books. Christopher Morel's walk-off hit sealed the victory, further igniting excitement around the Cubs' burgeoning star.

By the Numbers
  • Imanaga's 0.84 ERA is the lowest ever through a pitcher's first nine career starts.
  • 22 swinging strikes by Imanaga, the most by a Cubs pitcher in a game this season.
Yes, But

Others argue it may be too early to dub the excitement around Imanaga as "Shota-mania," recalling how Fernando Valenzuela's similar success in 1981 led to Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards.

State of Play
  • The Pirates' challenge to Bellinger's game-winning run was confirmed, securing the Cubs' victory.
  • Imanaga ranks with elite company, having the fourth-lowest ERA through nine starts in the live-ball era.
What's Next

As Imanaga continues his impressive season, the Cubs and their fans could witness a significant impact on their playoff aspirations, along with potential individual accolades for the pitcher.

Bottom Line

Shota Imanaga's historic start is energizing the Cubs and their supporters, but the longevity of his success and the impact on the team's season will be the true test of whether "Shota-mania" is here to stay.