Shu014dta Imanaga will be starting the Cubs’ season opener against the Dodgers in Tokyo just over a week from now, so this will be his final spring start before that. I don’t like the idea of giving him so much time between starts, even with a high-intent side session between, but the adrenaline of pitching in an MLB game back in Japan might make up for it. As we discussed on The Rant this weekend, the timing of the two-game series overseas is odd for a few reasons.
Pitchers aren’t going to be fully ramped up, so both teams will have to reach deep into their bullpens and/or use a few starters in relief roles.