Shota Imanaga's outing for the Chicago Cubs was cut short due to cramps in both legs, occurring after a pivotal play in the sixth inning. Although Imanaga had been cruising with a solid performance, allowing no runs through five-plus innings, his velocity noticeably dropped, prompting manager Craig Counsell and head trainer Nick Frangella to assess him. The Cubs' pitching depth is already under pressure with the absence of Justin Steele, making Imanaga's health crucial for the team's rotation.

The Chicago Cubs, presently at 17-12, are set to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-18) at PNC Park. Cubs' Shota Imanaga (2-1, 3.18 ERA) will pitch against Andrew Heaney (2-1, 1.72 ERA) of the Pirates. The Cubs enter this matchup following a rough series against the Phillies, while the Pirates recently split their last series on the road against the Angels but struggled against the Dodgers. Cubs fans will be eager to see how Imanaga performs against a Pirates lineup that features Andrew McCutchen, who has been a bright spot for Pittsburgh lately.

Both teams have displayed varying performances against divisional opponents, with the Cubs winning four of their last five games on the road against such rivals, while the Pirates will be looking to capitalize on their home field. Betting insights indicate a lean toward the Cubs on the moneyline at -148, while the spread favors the Pirates at +1.5. The over/under for total runs sits at 8.0 runs. With player performances and trends in mind, this matchup could offer exciting betting opportunities.

The Chicago Cubs face a significant setback as starting pitcher Justin Steele will miss the entire 2025 season due to reconstructive elbow surgery. Steele has been a reliable presence in the rotation, posting a 3.10 ERA since becoming a full-time starter in 2022. With the loss of their All-Star pitcher so early in the season, the Cubs are contemplating potential internal replacements, including ace Shota Imanaga and veterans Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd.

Javier Assad, who impressed last season but is currently on a rehab assignment, could be a crucial returnee to stabilize the rotation. Jordan Wicks, the Cubs' first-round pick from 2021, may also get another chance, despite previous injuries. Cade Horton, their 2023 first-round pick, is performing well at Triple-A and could be called up if needed. For a team aiming for postseason success, filling Steele's void is crucial as they explore both internal options and potential trades.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga had a challenging outing against the Texas Rangers, giving up five runs and striking out only two before being pulled after five innings. Despite his tendency to allow homers, Imanaga has been effective with runners not in scoring position. The Chicago Cubs struggled offensively, tallying just four hits, but managed to tie the game briefly with a two-out RBI single from Michael Busch. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the importance of timely hitting, as the Cubs lead MLB in two-out RBIs. Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Kyle Tucker have been instrumental in their success this season, while Jon Berti has shown his value even with limited playing time by contributing crucial runs.

The Cubs’ pitching coach, Tommy Hottovy, highlighted the necessity of minimizing walks for bullpen success, a strategy that paid off as the bullpen issued no walks during the series against the Rangers. This performance signals positive momentum as the Cubs prepare for their upcoming West Coast road trip.

On April 9, 2025, the Texas Rangers (8-4) face off against the Chicago Cubs (9-5) in the final game of their series. Chicago has won the first two games, including a dramatic 10-6 victory where Dansby Swanson's two-run single in the eighth inning secured the win. The matchup on the mound features Tyler Mahle (1-0, 1.35 ERA) for the Rangers against Shota Imanaga (2-0, 0.98 ERA) for the Cubs.

The betting odds favor the Cubs with a moneyline of -150 while the Rangers stand at +126. The spread favors the Cubs at -1.5, and the total is set at 8.0 runs. Recent trends show the Cubs winning 7 of their last 8 games and 8 of their last 9 games have gone over the total. Our experts recommend a bet on the Cubs for the moneyline, the Rangers at +1.5 on the spread, and the over on the game total of 8.0 runs.