Special to Sports News Highlights

(SNH) — You can’t blame Cubs manager Craig Counsell for leaving Shota Imanaga in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s game against San Diego.

Imanaga was nearing 100 pitches, but with Chicago’s bullpen nightmares looming, why not see what the MLB’s ERA leader had left in the tank.

Turned out it was empty as he gave up a leadoff single to Luis Arraez before Jurickson Profar hit a two-run home run to give San Diego a 2-1 lead.

Fortunately for the Cubs, they escaped with a win to keep Imanaga’s record unblemished at 5-0 (Cubs are 7-0 in his starts) and despite the two runs, his 1.08 ERA is still the lowest in the majors. He’s quickly become a fan favorite.

“Recently, it’s been hard for me to get up in the morning, so I think if I switch the fans cheering to my alarm, I think I’ll get up fast,” he said through an interpreter.

Cubs fans have had a lot to cheer about when it comes to their starting pitching. The two-run home run brought an end to a 30-inning streak of no runs allowed by a Chicago starter.

The Cubs starters have been pivotal in the team’s 22-15 record as the bullpen’s 4.78 ERA is the fourth worst in the National League and seventh in all of baseball. Chicago has had a great season from Mark Leiter Jr. out of the bullpen and others have had moments of showing potential, but no other reliever has an ERA under 3.20.

“We have a great group of pitchers in the rotation. In the bullpen as well,” starter Javier Assad said through a translator. “So it's really great just to go out there and see them pitch and feed off each other.”

Joining Imanaga as an emerging star has been Assad. He tossed six shutout against Milwaukee in the rubber match of the three-game series between the top two teams in the NL Central as he lowered his ERA to 1.66.

“He's just got weapons that just don't let the hitter get comfortable ever,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.

Also headlining the group is the return of staff ace Justin Steele, who had a breakout season last year. Steele got the opening night start but was injured after tossing 4.2 innings against the defending champions, Texas. He tossed another 4.2 innings on Monday against San Diego as he was limited with a pitch count.

“Felt really good, especially pitching at Wrigley again in front of the fans,” Steele said. “Really awesome just to be back with the team again, you know, in the locker room, hanging out with the guys and stuff. ... As far as how I felt and stuff, felt really good.”

He’s not the only starter to return to give the Cubs a boost already this season. Jameson Taillon began the year on the IL and has been lights out since returning with a 3-0 record and a 1.13 ERA.

“He’s really in control and his command is excellent,” Counsell said. “I thought he did a wonderful job with the running game today, and just executing multiple pitches.”

The whole streak began with the Cubs No. 5 starter for the time being as Hayden Wesneski returned to the rotation to fill in for injured Jordan Wicks.

Wesneski, who began last season in the rotation, but struggled and was sent to Iowa, has looked like what he showed in late 2022 when he first joined the big league club.

As a starter this season, he’s given up one earned run in 10.1 innings, on eight hits, three walks and 11 strikeouts.

The Cubs recently got Cody Bellinger back Tuesday and he homered and are hopeful to have Seiya Suzuki back soon as well.

With the rotation looking sharp and the lineup looking to get healthy, Chicago’s a bullpen away from being a real contender.

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