How the Brewers have fared against Cubs' NLDS Game 2 starter Shota Imanaga

The Milwaukee Brewers will be facing another left-handed starting pitcher in the NLDS; in Game 2, the Chicago Cubs are sending Shota Imanaga to the mound. Over the weekend, Milwaukee pummeled lefty Matthew Boyd, who was operating on three days’ rest, forcing him out of the game before the first inning came to an end.

Imanaga enters tonight's game with one extra day of rest compared to Boyd, but he did throw 67 pitches last Wednesday against the San Diego Padres, operating in a long relief role after Andrew Kittredge was used as an opener. As such, Game 2 of the NLDS tonight will technically be Imanaga's first career postseason start, but his second playoff appearance as the bulk pitcher.

As the Brewers prepare for the matchup, let's take a look at how Milwaukee's hitters have fared against Imanaga throughout his two years in MLB. Keep in mind, Jackson Chourio, who served as the leadoff hitter in Game 1, is questionable with a hamstring issue, which means Milwaukee could be forced to shake up their lineup if he is unable to go, despite facing a southpaw for the second consecutive game.

How the Milwaukee Brewers have fared against Chicago Cubs' Game 2 starter Shota Imanaga

This season, Imanaga faced the Brewers three times, with Milwaukee coming out on top in two of those matchups. He earned a win at American Family Field in July, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up three earned runs, and striking out eight. In a May start in Milwaukee, he took the loss despite a solid 5.2-inning outing in which he allowed just two earned runs and struck out four. His strongest performance against the Brewers came at Wrigley Field in August, when he tossed 7.0 innings, surrendered two earned runs, and struck out five, but the Cubs' offense couldn't provide enough support to secure the win.

While many point to Imanaga's career 5.73 ERA against the Brew Crew as a reason for fans to be optimistic tonight, that number is inflated by one bad start in 2024 in which he allowed seven earned runs in 4.1 innings. Imanaga posted a much better 3.57 ERA over 17.2 innings against Milwaukee this season, and with the extra day of rest compared to Boyd, the Brewers lineup certainly faces a tougher challenge in Game 2.

On the flip side, several Milwaukee hitters have fared well against Imanaga in the past, suggesting they may still have an edge. According to ESPN, both William Contreras and Christian Yelich have the most at-bats against Imanaga, logging 10 apiece. Both have a batting average of .300 against Imanaga, with Contreras slugging two home runs against the Cubs' left-hander, while Yelich has collected one of his own. After them, shortstop Joey Ortiz is 4-9 against Imanaga, Andrew Vaughn 3-7, and Blake Perkins 3-4.

The only notable career struggles at the plate come from Brice Turang and Isaac Collins, who are both 1-9, Sal Frelick, who is 1-6, and Caleb Durbin, who is hitless in seven at-bats against Imanaga. If Chourio is healthy, Collins will likely begin the game on the bench, as he did in Game 1. That leaves Turang, Durbin, and Frelick needing to adjust from past at-bats and step up in key postseason moments.

While Imanaga has been solid against Milwaukee this season, the Brewers can take advantage of the fact that he's not on his usual rest. If they can stay patient, force deep counts, and make him work early, there's a real opportunity to wear him down and chase him from the game before he settles in. If the Brewers can capitalize on that early window, much like they did in Game 1, it could again shift the momentum in their favor.