The Chicago Cubs are on the road on Tuesday night as they begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. It has been a great start to the season for Chicago as they currently sit at the top of the National League Central standings with a 17-12 record, one game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds. Chicago now enters a series against the struggling Pirates that sit at the bottom of the NL Central standings.
The Cubs had a great start to Tuesday’s game as they took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth thanks to a two-run home run by Carson Kelly. Chicago was then able to add on in the fifth inning with a solo blast by Pete Crow-Armstrong to give them a 5-0 lead. Unfortunately for the Cubs, disaster struck in the bottom of the fifth inning as their starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was forced to leave the game with manager Craig Counsel and a trainer.
The Cubs later announced that Imanaga had to leave the game due to leg cramps, which is great news for Chicago as he did not suffer a severe injury.
Imanaga dominated Tuesday’s game as he went five innings, allowing only six hits, zero runs and struck out three Pittsburgh batters.
Despite exiting the game, the Cubs’ star pitcher is still in line for the victory if Chicago is able to hold onto their 8-0 lead.
Of course, Imanaga’s injury was a scary one for the Cubs as they are already without their ace, Justin Steele, who will be out the rest of the season due to elbow surgery.
The good news for the Cubs is that Imanaga should not miss a ton of time due to leg cramps as he should be ready to go for his next start on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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