Imanaga makes final start before 'special' Tokyo Series

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Shota Imanaga headed off the mound at Goodyear Ballpark on Monday afternoon and was greeted by a standing ovation from the contingent of Cubs fans who made the trek to watch his outing. The next time the lefty pitches, the stage will be just a little bit larger.

Imanaga’s appearance in the Cubs' 7-4 win over the Guardians marked his final start ahead of his Opening Day assignment against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the Tokyo Series on March 18 at the Tokyo Dome. It will be a celebratory atmosphere in which Imanaga will likely fire his initial pitch to Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani while the world watches.

“It will be a special moment,” Imanaga said via his interpreter, Edwin Stanberry.

On Monday morning, light blue T-shirts with Japanese script and “TOKYO SERIES 2025” on the front were draped over chairs around the Cubs’ locker room. Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted that more than 31 tees were handed out, so there were no clues on that front as to how the final travel roster will shape up.

Counsell and Chicago’s decision-makers have told players still in the mix -- MLB Pipeline’s top Cubs prospect Matt Shaw (No. 19 on the Top 100) among them -- to be packed and ready, but the final group has not been finalized. That step will arrive Tuesday morning ahead of the Cubs’ Cactus League game against the Brewers.

The Cubs will then board a flight to Japan, bringing enough players for a 26-man roster and a five-player pool of extras. The next week-plus will then be filled with chances to embrace the experience, while preparing for exhibition games against the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants, followed by the main event against the reigning World Series champion Dodgers.

“I think it’s a great way to start a season in terms of team bonding,” Counsell said. “It’s tough to think of a better way.”

Counsell then cracked a smile.

“We could go play laser tag or something like that. Or, we could go to Japan,” said Counsell, eliciting laughter. “I like the Japan idea a little better. You could do trust falls or these team-building things. Or, we could go to Japan. I like Japan better. Let’s go to Japan and play the Dodgers. That seems like more fun.”

Prior to Sunday morning’s workout, Counsell invited Japanese comedian Saku Yanagaw -- who is based in Chicago and has gotten to know Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki -- to give an entertaining talk to the team. He went through “nine innings” of cultural do’s and don’ts while navigating Tokyo.

“We learned some things,” Counsell said. “Probably the highlight was, when you toast in Japan, the younger person must have their glass below the older person.”

That led to 40-year-old veteran Justin Turner joking that all his Cubs teammates had to hold their glass below his.

“It made Turner feel real good,” Counsell quipped.

The brief comedy set was a small way to get the ball rolling on what should be a natural chemistry-building trip for a Cubs team that hopes to make the postseason this year. If the North Siders are going to achieve that goal, Imanaga will have played an integral part after his breakout rookie showing a year ago.

Last season, Imanaga finished 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA, racking up 174 strikeouts against just 28 walks in 173 1/3 innings in his first tour with the Cubs. He made the National League All-Star team, placed fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year race and picked up enough votes for fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting.

Against Cleveland on Monday, Imanaga logged 4 1/3 innings and piled up 75 pitches. All four runs he allowed came via a pair of homers in the second inning, but the lefty ended with four strikeouts and only one walk in his last Cactus League start prior to Opening Day.

“There’s still a week,” Imanaga said, “and there’s adjustments I can make within that. I feel like there’s points where I can really step up my game. I just want to be ready when the game starts.”

In the meantime, Imanaga is working on organizing a team dinner while in Tokyo so everyone can “soak in the traditional Japanese food” ahead of the games. After the pitcher and Suzuki acclimated to life with the Cubs in the United States, it will be a chance to share aspects of their culture with the group.

“I’m really excited for everybody to experience the country that Seiya and I grew up in,” Imanaga said. “When everybody comes back to the U.S., reflecting on how great of an experience it was for everyone and how much they enjoyed it, I think if everybody enjoys it, I’ll really be happy.”