Shota Imanaga's results at Wrigley Field reminiscent of peak Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester

Craig Counsell liked what he saw so much in the Chicago Cubs' 2024 home opener that he decided to run it back in 2025, sending left-hander Shota Imanaga to the mound. New season, different opponent - same result.

After Imanaga tossed six scoreless frames in his MLB debut in the Wrigley Field home opener a year ago, he followed it up on Friday by holding the previously undefeated San Diego Padres to one run over 7 1/3 innings of work in a 3-1 Cubs victory. He gave credit to his defense - and a raucous fanbase - for his success after the game.

“Listening to the roar of the crowd,” Imanaga told MLB.com, “it really gives me almost another layer of armor, another layer or protection that I can feel. So I'm very appreciative of them.”

It's a mutual feeling, Shota. Cubs fans have grown accustomed to Imanaga's dominance at Wrigley over the last year. Friday marked the 18th home start of his MLB career: he has just two losses and a 2.52 ERA in those outings. Last year, the Friendly Confines were just that to pitchers - friendly - but he's leaned on pinpoint control of his pitches (7.25 SO/BB) in his home starts to overcome his flyball tendencies, and it's led to tremendous success.

Shota Imanaga is off to a strong start atop the Cubs' rotation

In 2024, Imanaga made 32 starts for the Cubs and led all Chicago pitchers with 4.2 bWAR. This season, just three starts in, Baseball Reference already has him at 1.2 bWAR - tops among all starting pitchers. With Justin Steele struggling to start the year, Imanaga's reliability looks more important than ever, especially as the team navigates a harrowing schedule here in April.

Imanaga's splitter has been virtually untouchable in his first three starts, with opponents mustering just a .045 batting average against it. He struck out four and did not walk a batter against San Diego in his first win of the year - following a recipe that's proven successful repeatedly.

I don't remember any pitcher in recent memory who was as dominant as Imanaga has been at home. Of course, we can always go back to 2015 when Jake Arrieta was the best pitcher on the planet - but it didn't matter where he was pitching during that run. Still, a 1.97 ERA in 15 home starts that year is certainly the high-water mark.

The following year, the bearded right-hander posted a 2.62 ERA in his home starts - but that season, it was ace lefty Jon Lester who was the stopper at home. The NL Cy Young finalist picked up wins in 10 of his 15 Wrigley starts that season, working to a 1.74 ERA in front of the home faithful.

Imanaga may not overpower hitters like Arrieta and Lester did at their peak. But make no mistake. He's delivered results that speak for themselves and have brought stability to a team that's waiting for Justin Steele to settle in here in April. As was the case in 2024, Imanaga is the steadying presence atop this Chicago Cubs starting rotation.