Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Nick Lodolo, LHP

Shōta Imanaga has given up three runs in each of his last four starts, and thrown at least six innings in three of those four. That’s an average of a “quality start” over that time frame, though the 4.50 ERA isn’t great, and seven of the 12 runs allowed have come via home runs — all but one of those seven a solo shot.

In the 24 innings covered above, Shōta has issued two walks and struck out 20, including a season-high nine in his last outing against the Rays.

So he hasn’t pitched badly, really… but that’s not really good, either. The last time he faced the Reds, Aug. 5 at Wrigley Field, he allowed three hits and one run. That’d work for this one.

Nick Lodolo has made two starts against the Cubs this year. He threw five shutout innings against them May 31 at Wrigley Field, but they scored three in five innings off him at GABP May 25, including a home run by Reese McGuire (that was McGuire’s two-homer debut game for the Cubs).

The A’s hit Lodolo pretty hard in his last start including three home runs, so perhaps the Cubs offense can continue that.

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The 2025 Game Thread procedure will be identical to last year’s.

You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.

You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.