Chicago Cubs tab Shota Imanaga as 2025 Opening Day starter

Cubs ace Shota Imanaga talks playing in his first MLB All-Star Game

Cubs ace Shota Imanaga tossed one inning of no-hit, no-run ball. He spoke to reporters after the NL's loss in Texas on Tuesday.

After an impressive first season in Chicago that earned him a spot on the 2024 MLB All-Star team, Shota Imanaga will enter the 2025 season as the Chicago Cubs' undisputed ace.

The Cubs tabbed Imanaga as their Opening Day starter to begin the 2025 season on March 18 in Tokyo vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Imanaga was a 2024 Rookie of the Year and 2024 Cy Young candidate after he finished his MLB debut season with a 15-3 record, a 2.91 ERA and 174 strikeouts.

He took the baseball world by storm in 2024. Imanaga was 5-0 with a 0.84 ERA, 0.913 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts over 53.2 innings in his first nine starts. He endured two disastrous outings where he allowed 17 runs in 7.1 innings pitched to finish the season strong with an 8-1 record with a 2.75 ERA in his final 14 appearances.

Now, Imanaga, also known as the "Throwing Philosopher," will take charge of a Cubs' rotation that includes Justin Steele, Jamison Tallion, Matthew Boyd and Javier Assad.

Steele was the Cubs' Opening Day starter in 2024.