Imanaga (5-1) took the loss Wednesday versus the Brewers, allowing seven runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out one over 4.1 innings.
Imanaga's last scheduled start was rained out, and instead of pushing him back, the Cubs opted to build in some extra rest for the southpaw. That plan appears to have backfired, as the seven runs he allowed Wednesday matched the total he'd given up in his first nine starts combined. His ERA rose from 0.84 to 1.86, and he's added a 1.00 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB across 58 innings through his first 10 big-league starts. Imanaga will look to shake off his first poor outing when he next takes the mound, which is tentatively projected to be a home start versus the White Sox.
Imanaga and the Cubs won't play the Cardinals on Friday due to inclement weather, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Thursday's contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader July 13, and Imanaga's next outing will be pushed back to Chicago's upcoming series in Milwaukee early next week, per Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Imanaga came away with a no-decision in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Pirates, scattering four hits and a walk over seven scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
The 30-year-old lefty was locked in a pitchers' duel with Bailey Falter, which prevented either starter from getting a decision, but Imanaga still impressed. He generated 22 swinging strikes among his 88 pitches, and he now sports a 0.84 ERA -- the lowest mark in history through a pitcher's first nine career MLB starts. Imanaga will also take a 0.91 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB through 53.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in St. Louis.
Imanaga did not factor into the decision Monday against Atlanta, allowing seven hits and three walks over five shutout innings. He struck out eight.
With his five shutout frames Monday, Imanaga shaved his ERA down to 0.96, a sterling mark for his first 46.2 major league innings. However, the Atlanta offense made the Cubs lefty work hard for his scoreless night as they had 10 baserunners and drew three walks, both setting season-highs allowed for Imanaga. He draws a much easier opponent in his next start, scheduled against Pittsburgh at home this upcoming weekend.
