Tonight features a pitching matchup NPB fans have gotten used to over the years, with Shu014dta Imanaga facing off against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. According to MLB, this is the first time “two Japanese-born rookie sensations go head-to-head for the first time as Major Leaguers.” No word on how many times a two run-of-the-mill Japanese-born rookies have squared off. We’ll see how their respective MLB careers play out, but the Cubs have gotten the better deal by far this season.
Though the Dodgers’ would-be ace has pitched well when he’s been healthy, he’s been limited to just 74 innings over 14 starts.