Shota Imanaga Ties Yu Darvish for Most Whiffs by Cubs Pitcher
- Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga tied a franchise record for the most swings and misses in a single game during the pitch-tracking era on April 15, 2026.
- The 26 swings and misses equal the mark set by Yu Darvish on August 23, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox.
- The performance contributed to an 11-2 victory for the Cubs, securing a series win in Philadelphia.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga tied a franchise record for the most swings and misses in a single game during the pitch-tracking era on April 15, 2026. Imanaga induced 26 whiffs in a six-inning performance against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
The 26 swings and misses equal the mark set by Yu Darvish on August 23, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox. This figure also represents the highest number of whiffs by any Major League Baseball pitcher so far in the 2026 season.
The performance contributed to an 11-2 victory for the Cubs, securing a series win in Philadelphia. Imanaga recorded 11 strikeouts, matching his career high, while allowing only three hits over six innings.
Game Performance and Analysis
Imanaga’s outing began with a leadoff home run conceded to Trea Turner in the first inning. Following that play, the left-hander limited the Phillies’ offense, allowing only three more baserunners over the subsequent 21 plate appearances.
The dominant display included holding key Phillies hitters Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper to a combined 0-for-6 performance with five strikeouts. Harper noted that Imanaga effectively varied his pitches, specifically mentioning the quality of the slider.
This outing marked the fourth consecutive start in which Imanaga has demonstrated form similar to his 2024 rookie season. The performance follows a previous outing where he pitched six no-hit innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Imanaga attributed his current success to a process of immediate adjustment on the mound. Speaking via interpreter Edwin Stanberry, he stated that he analyzes both hits and outs immediately to determine what went wrong or what was executed well to maintain consistency.
Cubs Team Context
The Cubs’ offense provided significant support for Imanaga, scoring multiple runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings. Nico Hoerner played a central role in the blowout win, recording five RBIs on Wednesday and totaling eight RBIs across two consecutive victories.
Hoerner finished the game 3-for-5, which included a two-run home run to center field off Phillies pitcher Jésus Luzardo and a two-run sinker down the first-base line in the sixth inning. Through 18 games in the 2026 season, Hoerner is batting .324.
The victory brings the Cubs’ record to 9-9. The team is now entering a challenging schedule that includes five series against the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres.
Nico Hoerner
It was amazing. Him and Miggy were on the same page and just dancing together. It was really fun.
Hoerner’s comments referred to the synergy between Imanaga and Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya during the game.