Cubs' Imanaga Sets Unwanted HR Record, Counsell Stands by Starter

Shota Imanaga allowed three more home runs on Sunday, setting a single-season career high and becoming the first pitcher in MLB history to allow three or more homers in six games in a season. Despite his struggles, manager Craig Counsell said he has no plans to remove Imanaga from the rotation. The Cubs have lost three straight series and are tied with the Phillies for the top wild card spot.

Imanaga's 33 home runs allowed this season mark a career high, with his totals rising each year since arriving in MLB in 2024. His August struggles are pronounced, carrying a 5.96 ERA across 22.2 innings, and his 91 homers surrendered since his debut lead all of baseball. Despite the historic negative milestone, Counsell emphasized that Imanaga remains a needed piece, pointing to strong strikeout and whiff rates that still rank among the league's best.

The Cubs' recent slide has tightened the wild card race, with three consecutive series losses allowing Philadelphia to pull even at 70-60. Chicago holds the tiebreaker advantage, but Milwaukee's arrival for a three-game set adds urgency. Counsell acknowledged the team must work to help Imanaga improve, particularly his reliance on a low-90s four-seamer that gets hit hard when it lacks its usual rise.