The Chicago Cubs will begin their second Opening Day in five days when they take the short drive from Mesa to Phoenix to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cubs will face the Diamondbacks‘ top two pitchers in the series, Zac Gallen and Corbin Burnes, while they’ll send Justin Steele and Jamison Taillon to the mound for the first two games.
Steele will be looking to bounce back after getting roughed up in game two of the Tokyo Series and Taillon will be making his first start of the season.
The Chicago Cubs announce game three starter
The Cubs hadn’t announced who would start game three out in the desert, but according to Baseball Insider Bob Nightengale, the Cubs will send Shota Imanaga to the mound to start the third game.
“Cubs starter Shota Imanaga will pitch the third game of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks putting him in line to pitch the Cubs home opener April 4 against the Padres”
Cubs starter Shota Imanaga will pitch the third game of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks putting him in line to pitch the Cubs home opener April 4 against the Padres
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 22, 2025
Starting Imanaga in game three will keep him on his standard five days’ rest to get him to April 4. It makes sense that Shota gets both honors of starting two openers, as he is considered the Ace of the staff.
Matthew Boyd will likely follow Imanaga for game four, as he would be the only member who has not debuted.
An impressive first outing from Imanaga
The 31-year-old Imanaga had a spectacular start to the season when he got the nod to be the Opening Day starter in his native land, Japan.
In his 4.0 innings of work, Imanaga didn’t allow a hit, struck out two, gave up four walks, and didn’t get a decision, as he didn’t go the required 5.0 innings.
Imanaga should fare far better against the Diamondbacks and go deeper if he can limit the walks.
Ace of the staff
Imanaga is the de facto Ace of the staff and showed it in his performance on March 18.
The Cubs will need Imanaga to be sharp and replicate what he did last season, where he finished in the top five for both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young voting if they’re successful.
If Imanaga can do that, then the Cubs will be in line to have their first postseason berth in five seasons.
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