Saturday notes…

• THE SHŌTA FILE: In his first two starts as a Cub, Shōta Imanaga allowed no runs and four hits, with no walks and 12 strikeouts. The fewest runs by any Cub in his first three starts is two, by George McConnell in 1916 (27⅓ innings) and Rich Harden in 2008 (17⅓). Nine others gave up three, including Dizzy Dean in 1938 (18⅔ IP) and four this century: Carlos Villanueva (2013, 21), Felix Doubront (2014, 18), Eddie Butler (2017, 14) and Cole Hamels (2018, 18). The fewest hits in the first three starts is eight, by Burt Hooton (1971, 21⅓ IP). Jose Guzman (1993, 21⅓) and Harden (2008, 17⅓). The fewest walks is none, by Charlie Smith (1911, 18 IP). McConnell issued one in 1916 and eight others had two, from Robin Roberts in 1966 (28) to Smyly in 2022. The most strikeouts are 30, by Matt Clements (2002, 21 IP) and Harden. Nine more had at least 20, including Jose Quintana (25 in 2017), John Lackey (22 in 2002) and Hamels (20 in 2018). (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53; more on Imanaga below)
• HAPP-ENINGS: Ian Happ has reached base safely in all 13 games this season, tied for the second-longest streak in the major leagues in 2024 (trailing José Altuve – 15). During this run, Happ is hitting .280/.410/.380 (14-for-50) with 11 walks and 11 runs scored.
• THE BUSCH LEAGUE: Michael Busch, last eight games since April 3: .357/.406/.786 (10-for-28) with three doubles and three home runs.
• WALKING ON BY: The Cubs’ 60 walks rank third in the National League behind the Pirates (63) and Dodgers (65). Both the Pirates (14) and Dodgers (16) have played more games than the Cubs (13).

Here are today’s particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Mariners lineup:

Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Emerson Hancock, RHP

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Shōta Imanaga has been nothing less than magnificent so far in two MLB starts — no runs and just four hits allowed in 10 innings, with 12 strikeouts. It might have been more innings if not for the long rain delay Sunday.

He’s obviously never faced the Mariners or anyone on their active roster. Keep up the great work, Shōta.

Emerson Hancock is making his sixth MLB start. He made three last year that were pretty good, but he’s been hit pretty hard in two outings this year: 11.42 ERA, 1.962 WHIP, three home runs allowed in just 8⅔ innings.

Another pitcher who’s never faced the opponent or anyone on the roster. We’ll see who has the advantage tonight.

Hancock was the Mariners’ first round pick (sixth overall) in 2020, for whatever that’s worth.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. You can find out if Marquee is available via a provider in your area here. It’s also on MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Mariners market territories).

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Mariners site Lookout Landing. If you do go there to interact with Mariners fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2024 Game Thread procedure will be like last year’s, similar to what we’ve used for Spring Training.

You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.

You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in this section link). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.

Discuss amongst yourselves.