WATCH: Shota Imanaga reacts to his preseason start, talks upcoming Japan trip |
Tony Crumpton
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- 4 hours ago
Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga spoke to the media following his outing at Sloan Park talking about where he's at before his season opener in Japan, how he's felt coming to the majors last season to returning to Japan to play in front of his home country and much more.
Watch the interview below: Video summary/cliff-notes: (00:06) Imanaga felt strong in his performance, attributing it to a good warm-up and overall good condition. (01:10) He experiences fluctuations in performance during games rather than training camp, relying on experience to adjust. (02:16) His main focus for his final preseason start is results rather than performance details, aiming for a strong mental state before heading to Japan. (03:23) He emphasizes staying mentally strong as the regular season approaches, regardless of the outcome of his next start. (04:38) Facing Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Japan is an exciting challenge, as competing against top pitchers has always helped his career progress. (05:41) The increasing number of Japanese players in MLB is beneficial for both the sport and Japanese baseball culture. (07:53) Adjusting from Arizona's dry climate to Japan's colder, indoor stadium conditions will be an important factor in his preparation. (08:57) He feels his role within the Cubs remains the same as last year, though he appreciates the guidance from the pitching coach. (10:20) He has saved up money to buy tickets for family and friends attending the Japan series but is mindful of limitations. (13:38) He is working on improving his breaking pitches, particularly his curveball and slider, with guidance from team staff.
