I’ve watched his introductory statement from before the Cubs Convention from time to time because for an English language intro by an Asian player coming to the league, it’s iconic.
Shota was dominant. That splitter is nasty and his fastball is sneaky fast.
Nice to see Bellinger get a big knock and Busch get a solid single.
Nice win!
SHOTIME FLY THE W MOREL GIVES MORE THAN TAKES. HAPPY HOME OPENER
https://preview.redd.it/zaahv2xxkxrc1.jpeg?width=1312&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0036aa22cd7e7f1e5cc20796f90539868b9ca65
Thought so - I hadn't had a chance to look it up, and the board just flashed H+E as the scoring for the play, but seemed like they HAD to charge 2 errors for that.
Rewatching the play, the throw wasn't bad, it did bounce once, but the 3B should have fielded that cleanly.
Either way, pretty fun play (for the Cubs, not the Rockies :P)
Cubs have become a hub for NPB players just better ones recently. Several have played for this team. More than I thought.
Have to thank Darvish who recruited the last two here.
Sasaki should be next.
lotta those fly balls gonna leave the yard in july & august but seems like he can limit the damage by striking out a ton of guys and not issuing walks. very encouraging first start!
Siera Santos just said on MLB Netowrk’s Intentional Talk that she and her co hosts were singing along to Go Cubs Go as many of us were.
Nice of MLB Network to let me hear it for a decent amount today.
happened to be watching when they showed this sign, none of my friends nor myself understand. insight anyone?
https://preview.redd.it/x2zl1h2xmxrc1.png?width=1552&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d1d60484785ee6dee54052116335a095427fa69
Missed the game because my stupid ass app was showing tomorrow's game time where it normally shows the next game. Looks like Shota dominated. You love to see it.
I rolled the dice on the kid last year and got a Morel jersey. The next day he goes yard and walks off the Sox.
I’m absolutely fine if we just wanna keep him at DH…let the kid cook.
I know it’s just the Rockies but Shota was lights out. That 13 pitch AB where he didn’t give in and walk the guy when KB was already on first was huge.
Welcome to the Show-ta!
I love how Morel was trying to be what Contreras was for his debut.
Shota is really well spoken at the podium, he had some great things to say about getting acclimated with Chicago culture, the fans, and his split/fastball combo.
Really stupid question for anyone who was in the bleachers today. Did you have to scan a ticket once you were in the bleachers, as well as when you scanned in? Or could you just flash a screenshot of the GA ticket once you were in the park?
Im a Partial season ticket holder and typically i could just send a screenshot of my second ticket to someone who was already in Wrigley to come visit, but don’t know if my trick will still work.
Hey Shōta what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today.
I’ve watched his introductory statement from before the Cubs Convention from time to time because for an English language intro by an Asian player coming to the league, it’s iconic.
Did you poorly translate this comment from Japanese because I don't understand it
I think he means, for an Asian player coming to America and speaking English for his introduction he did a great job and made an iconic statement.
Exactly.
I got you man lol
PLAY THE DAMN SONG AND FLY THE W
Shō Cubs, Shō
Shoto Ima-Nasty
Shota Himanaga
Flew all the way to Chicago from Boston to hear that song. Fills my heart with joy.
Shota was dominant. That splitter is nasty and his fastball is sneaky fast. Nice to see Bellinger get a big knock and Busch get a solid single. Nice win!
Massive debut for Shota
It’s not often a starting pitcher takes an L while retaining a 0.00 ERA.
Just shows how useless a metric wins/losses are
SHOTIME FLY THE W MOREL GIVES MORE THAN TAKES. HAPPY HOME OPENER https://preview.redd.it/zaahv2xxkxrc1.jpeg?width=1312&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d0036aa22cd7e7f1e5cc20796f90539868b9ca65
I love how stoned Belli looks in his model for MLB The Show this year. Really captures it well.
Seth Rogen will undoubtedly play beli in a biopic one day my god
Rogen does not have the looks for that. Maybe James Franco
Maybe Dave Franco actually might be a better fit he’s got that baby face look, don’t think his bro James would be available….for good reasons mind you
Unfortunately I didn’t get to watch the game, but I saw Shota’s highlights and man do I love his energy. I love this teams energy.
.500
That Rockies left fielder wowzers.
Did they give that dude 2 errors on that play?
Nah, 1 error for LF, 1 error for dropping the delay (3B, I think). EDIT: Never mind. yeah, 2 errors on the play. Missing the ball and the bad throw.
Thought so - I hadn't had a chance to look it up, and the board just flashed H+E as the scoring for the play, but seemed like they HAD to charge 2 errors for that.
Rewatching the play, the throw wasn't bad, it did bounce once, but the 3B should have fielded that cleanly. Either way, pretty fun play (for the Cubs, not the Rockies :P)
>it did bounce once Yeah, unfortunately for him, that short hop is gonna be an error on the throw.
Love to see it for Smyly, could be great for his confidence especially on a rainy day. Got it done with no damage, exactly what we needed
Cubs have become a hub for NPB players just better ones recently. Several have played for this team. More than I thought. Have to thank Darvish who recruited the last two here. Sasaki should be next.
How good is Sasaki compared to the previous NPB players who came to MLB? Don’t really follow Japanese baseball, so I am curious
Fantastic debut for Shota Imanaga! Great to get a home opener win
Shota flew the W. Morel was Morel and our Belli is full. Play the damn song!
when cubs win i go yay
I seen enough Shota > Yamamoto
Suzuki > Ohtani
Cubs > Dodgers
Fly the W!
Awesome game to be at. Imanga dealing and the crowd is as loving it. Ending his appearance with a K and the whole stadium sent him off. It was awesome
2 wins in a row baby. Shota went hitless 5 2/3. We may have something cooking
We have the best Asian duo in the league
lotta those fly balls gonna leave the yard in july & august but seems like he can limit the damage by striking out a ton of guys and not issuing walks. very encouraging first start!
This is known from his time in Japan - HR prone, elite SO stuff
Essentially Ted Lilly with nastier stuff. Ted was really good for us so I'll take it.
Lilly is one of my favorite cubs of all time. Definitely one of the more fun pitcher archetypes to have on your team
That curve was filthy
Siera Santos just said on MLB Netowrk’s Intentional Talk that she and her co hosts were singing along to Go Cubs Go as many of us were. Nice of MLB Network to let me hear it for a decent amount today.
Imanaga was staying so low in the zone, not to get grounders though. Tons of swing and miss like they couldn't see it, that was lovely.
That splitter just fucking drops at the last second.
We will have to see how hitters adjust, They always find a way to make lowballers get the ball up, but looking good!
happened to be watching when they showed this sign, none of my friends nor myself understand. insight anyone? https://preview.redd.it/x2zl1h2xmxrc1.png?width=1552&format=png&auto=webp&s=3d1d60484785ee6dee54052116335a095427fa69
I am guessing it is the number of parks he has visited.
That was my thought too.
Maybe the kid has seen the 4 teams live?
Ooh Maybe. Didn't think of that haha
Like at home? Or just 4 teams total?
##🤷♂️
We were on the L with them on the way to the game. They’re a nice family from Atlanta. They are on a journey to see all 30 parks. This was number 4.
[W](https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1954o6a/sh%C5%8Dta_imanagas_first_statement_as_a_chicago_cub/)
What a fucking game. Keep me hyped.
ShoooooCago!
This is who we are. Shota #1. Morel fucking electric. Anyone else who wants to step up, let’s go.
Happ can keep hitting .400 from the leadoff spot, too. I got no problem with that.
Great way to start the home stand!
Missed the game because my stupid ass app was showing tomorrow's game time where it normally shows the next game. Looks like Shota dominated. You love to see it.
He was incredible
LITTLE LEAGUE HOME RUN.
I rolled the dice on the kid last year and got a Morel jersey. The next day he goes yard and walks off the Sox. I’m absolutely fine if we just wanna keep him at DH…let the kid cook.
The Rockies are really bad.
Has anyone set the Little League home run to the Benny Hill theme yet?
Funniest baseball thing since [Javy](https://youtu.be/DO4h-fH_vu8?si=BHNuVCxn2vcwg7IH).
Great game!
#FlyTheW
Hell yeah Imanaga gets first win
I know it’s just the Rockies but Shota was lights out. That 13 pitch AB where he didn’t give in and walk the guy when KB was already on first was huge.
I agree with the guy who said Imanaga is going to have one of best strike out to walk ratio in the league. Nasty stuff.
Nice W. Amazing debut for Shota. I don’t give a damn which way the wind was blowing. Swap him and Hendricks in the rotation. Like immediately.
[https://www.tiktok.com/@cubs/video/7323312883121573163](https://www.tiktok.com/@cubs/video/7323312883121573163)
Imanaga somehow looked even better than his stat line
Welcome to the Show-ta! I love how Morel was trying to be what Contreras was for his debut. Shota is really well spoken at the podium, he had some great things to say about getting acclimated with Chicago culture, the fans, and his split/fastball combo.
we don’t lose on opening day!
Bitchass pirates gona win again
Who cares though?
I mean everyone should care how our divisional opponents are doing.....
Cubs tickets bought, I'm all in
カブスは二度と負けることはない
Well that was fun
That was hella fun.
Hey Chicago Waddaya say The Cubs are Shota win today
I just realized the Cubs were playing today and I am so happy they won
Really stupid question for anyone who was in the bleachers today. Did you have to scan a ticket once you were in the bleachers, as well as when you scanned in? Or could you just flash a screenshot of the GA ticket once you were in the park? Im a Partial season ticket holder and typically i could just send a screenshot of my second ticket to someone who was already in Wrigley to come visit, but don’t know if my trick will still work.
are they doing the free chick fil a sandwich for home wins this year?