Craig Counsell’s hook on Shota Imanaga wasn’t quick enough tonight, and it may have cost the Cubs both the game and the series.
Laid out in great detail by the NBC Sunday Night Baseball broadcast (they were awesome), Shota’s fastball velocity began to dip as soon as the second inning. And shortly thereafter, the Reds’ offense began to time him up.
The first bit of damage was the dreaded three-run homer from Hector Rodriguez in the 4th, which erased a 2-0 Cubs lead. Remembering Counsell’s quick hook from Imanaga’s last start, I expected a reliever to at least be warming up (if not in the game) for Shota to begin the 5th, but all was quiet in the pen. Unfortunately, just four batters later, the Reds had two more home runs and a 6-3 lead.
It’s a deeper discussion than we’ll have tonight, but frankly, I think his roster spot is/could soon be in jeopardy. Even if Craig Counsell says it’s not right now.
Craig Counsell said Shota Imanaga’s spot in the rotation/job is not in jeopardy at the moment. Team wants to help him get right.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 31, 2026Beyond that …
Young Reds fireballer Chase Burns largely kept the Cubs offense in check, allowing just two earned runs and striking out seven in 5.2 innings of work. After Burns’ pitch count provoked Terry Francona to go to his bullpen, Brock Burke, Luis Mey, and Emilio Pagan were able to hold the lead, allowing two runs.
Because he’s going to be the National League MVP, Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two more home runs tonight, one another leadoff shot. He’s the most must-watch Cub since Jake Arrieta or Sammy Sosa, and it’s so damn fun to watch. It was Pete’s 13th and 14th home runs this month, tying the club’s single-month record of 14 that Alfonso Soriano set in September of 2007. For that, he’s our Ankin Law: “Making it Personal” Player of the Game.
Are you even surprised at this point. pic.twitter.com/N5ZWE1Lc0q
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 31, 2026A gut-punch loss, though, especially with it being the third-straight series the Cubs have dropped. Not to mention, this bad stretch of ball has come before a four-game series at home against the Brewers that starts tomorrow night, which now feels 1,000-percent must-win or must-sweep at this point.
Full Box Score.
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