Cubs' Shota Imanaga Sees ERA Skyrocket After Brutal Outing vs. Red-Hot Mets

The star rookie finally has his 'welcome to MLB' moment.

Jun 4, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) grimaces after giving up an infield single against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Wrigley Field. / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

For the entirety of the 2024 season, rookie Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga had managed to avoid a "welcome to MLB" moment.

In the first 13 starts of his career, Imanaga ran off a 7-1 record with a 1.89 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched. He was the brightest spot on an up-and-down Cubs team.

[ More on MLB rookies — AL Rookie Roundup: Top Five Midseason Turnarounds ]

On Friday, he came crashing spectacularly back to Earth.

Imanaga allowed 10 earned runs to a New York Mets team on a tear Friday afternoon, exiting after just three innings with an ERA inflated all the way to 2.96. Before Friday, he had given up just 16 earned runs all season.

Shota Imanaga against the Mets today:

3 innings
30.00 ERA
4.00 WHIP

Imanaga's season ERA went from 1.89 to 2.96 😳 pic.twitter.com/QAzrUG1MCt

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) June 21, 2024

Designated hitter J.D. Martinez and second baseman Jose Iglesias were the main offensive drivers for the Mets, driving in four and three runs, respectively.

New York entered Friday with an 8-2 record in its last 10 games, a mark matched only by the Boston Red Sox.