Imanaga (4-0) earned the win Friday over the Red Sox, allowing one run on five hits and one walk across 6.1 innings. He struck out seven. It was another strong outing from Imanaga, with Boston's lone run coming on a Tyler O'Neill solo homer in the fourth inning. It's safe to say the 30-year-old southpaw has exceeded expectations thus far -- Imanaga's yet to allow more than two earned runs in a start, as his ERA now sits at a stellar 0.98 with a 0.80 WHIP and 28:3 K:BB across five outings (27.2 innings). He's currently slated for a road matchup with the Mets in his next start.
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Imanaga (4-0) earned the win Friday over the Red Sox, allowing one run on five hits and one walk across 6.1 innings. He struck out seven. It was another strong outing from Imanaga, with Boston's lone run coming on a Tyler O'Neill solo homer in the fourth inning. It's safe to say the 30-year-old southpaw has exceeded expectations thus far -- Imanaga's yet to allow more than two earned runs in a start, as his ERA now sits at a stellar 0.98 with a 0.80 WHIP and 28:3 K:BB across five outings (27.2 innings). He's currently slated for a road matchup with the Mets in his next start.
Assad didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against the Astros. He struck out five. Although Assad was only at 85 pitches, he was pulled one out before becoming eligible for the quality start after allowing a pair of baserunners. Although Assad has only completed six innings once in five starts, he boasts a 2.00 ERA and a 26:9 K:BB with a 2-0 record. He's tentatively scheduled for a start against the Mets on Tuesday.
Neris picked up the save Thursday against Houston, allowing two walks and no hits over a scoreless inning. He didn't log a strikeout. Neris converted on his third save of the last five days and appears to have a firm hold on the Cubs' closing job, replacing Adbert Alzolay. However, Neris's walk issues persisted, handing out two free passes to bring his season total to nine in nine innings. His lack of control has been uncharacteristic, as Neris combined for just 48 walks in 141 appearances during two seasons with the Astros.
Crow-Armstrong went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Thursday's 3-1 win over the Astros. Crow-Armstrong went yard in his third at-bat of 2024, tagging Bryan Abreu for a two-run shot in the sixth inning as his first career long ball. One of the top prospects in the Cubs system, Crow-Armstrong failed to collect a hit in 19 plate appearances a season ago and will look to fare better during his MLB stay while Cody Bellinger (ribs) is sidelined.
Mervis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros. Following his promotion from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Mervis served as the Cubs' designated hitter in both of the ensuing two games, going 0-for-6 with three strikeouts between those contests. Though he'll retreat to the bench Thursday, the lefty-hitting Mervis will likely see the bulk of the starts at DH against right-handed pitching until the Cubs get Seiya Suzuki (oblique) from the 10-day injured list.
Morel is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros. The Cubs will hand Morel his first day off of the season while he's fallen into a slump at the dish of late; he's gone 4-for-45 (.089 average) and is getting on base at a .222 clip over his last 13 games. Morel still looks to be entrenched in an everyday role at third base, but Nick Madrigal will occupy the hot corner Thursday.
Gomes is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros. Gomes is on the bench for the seventh time in 10 games and appears to have moved into the No. 2 catcher role behind youngster Miguel Amaya, who draws another start Thursday. The 36-year-old is a trusted game caller behind the plate but has taken a big step back with the bat in 2024, posting a .486 OPS while striking out at a career-worst 35.1 percent rate through 37 plate appearances.
Triple-A Iowa reinstated Davis (undisclosed) from the 7-day injured list Tuesday. He returned to the lineup for Iowa on Wednesday, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three RBI while serving as the designated hitter in an 8-2 win over Buffalo. Davis opened the season on the IL while recovering from an unspecified injury but went 7-for-28 with a 6:9 BB:K over an eight-game rehab assignment with High-A South Bend.
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