Cubs’ Shota Imanaga picks Ichiro Suzuki’s brain before Mariners clash

The Chicago Cubs have been one of the strongest teams in the National League and they have been especially hot on the road, having been victorious in 9 straight series away from Wrigley Field. That should give them a significant edge on the slumping Seattle Mariners as the two teams meet in the Pacific Northwest this weekend.

Shota Imanaga Ichiro Suzuki pic.twitter.com/9olqXcPREA

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The trip to T-Mobile Park is still unusual for the Cubs and that meant they were looking to familiarize themselves with the home of the Mariners prior to the first pitch. As Cubs players went exploring the ballpark in the hours before Friday night’s game, Cubs pitcher found his legendary countryman Ichiro Suzuki.

While the Cubs left hander may have been looking for some edges on how to play in Seattle, it was clear that Imanaga was happy to have a chance to talk to the Hall of Famer and converse with the sensational contact hitter and superb outfielder.

Imanaga is scheduled to pitch in Sunday’s series finale against the Mariners. He will take an 8-9 record with a 3.77 earned run average to the mound. Imanaga has struck out 140 batters and allowed 32 bases on balls in 143.1 innings. He has made 25 starts for the Cubs and 11 of them have been ranked as quality appearances.

One of the keys for Imanaga is avoiding the home run ball. He has given up 29 home runs so far, and that’s the most on the staff. The Cubs have won 4 of Imanaga’s last 5 starts. The only loss in that group was a well-pitched 2-0 defeat to the New York Yankees in late July.

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