PHILADELPHIA — Matt Shaw and Nico Hoerner formed quite the duo in the Cubs’ Wednesday’s 11-2 win.
Shaw would double, and Hoerner drove him in.
Hoerner’s table-setting ways have been pronounced in the last two games of the Phillies series. His eight RBIs over the past two games were the most he’s recorded over a two-game span. The offense is at its best when it strings together hits and has productive at-bats, particularly from the bottom of the order. On all three of Shaw’s doubles, Hoerner drove him in.
“I thought it was a big night for Matt,” manager Craig Counsell said. “When your No. 9 hitter gets three doubles, that’s a good sign.”
Hoerner was 3-for-5 with a career-high five RBIs. Shaw was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. The ideal version of the Cubs’ lineup involves production from the entire lineup. With first-round picks at six spots, the group has the pedigree and talent to be a problem on a daily basis.
If the hitters start producing towards their career norms then the offense should be able to carry the bulk of the responsibility while the pitching staff is depleted.
“We should go out there and expect to have good at-bats,” Shaw said. Things are starting to fall a little bit, so t’s awesome to get some momentum and have the boys run.”
Imanaga dealing
As of late, left-hander Shota Imanaga has resembled the pitcher who took MLB by storm in 2024.
Wednesday’s start got off to an inauspicious start. Imanaga allowed a leadoff homer to Trea Turner, but that was the extent of the damage he allowed Wednesday. Imanaga regrouped and mowed through the Phillies’ lineup. He allowed one run on three hits with one walk and 11 strikeouts. His four-seamer sat at 92 mph.
“We talk so much about velocity in general,” Hoerner said, “I think it is different with him throwing 93 instead of 90. Every bit of life on that four-seamer he has is a huge deal.”
Imanaga is pitching with the confidence he seemingly lost toward the end of last season. His 26 whiffs were tied for the most in one outing by a Cubs pitcher in the pitch-tracking era — Yu Darvish also recorded 26 against the White Sox in 2020.
Injury report
The Cubs’ injury report seemingly grows longer by the day. Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that right-hander Porter Hodge would miss the rest of the season after having UCL reconstruction surgery.
• Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd is headed to Ohio and will pitch on Thursday for Triple-A Iowa. That puts him on schedule to return to the Cubs around next Wednesday to finish a seven-game homestand against the Phillies.
• Left-hander Jordan Wicks (left elbow inflammation) is scheduled to pitch Saturday for Triple-A Iowa. He’s been out since spring training.
• Right-hander Hunter Harvey (right triceps inflammation) is likely going to take longer than the 15 days on the IL. Counsell that Harvey is in strengthening mode.
• Right-hander Phil Maton (right knee tendinitis) had an optimistic update. Counsell said he’s recovering each day. Phil didn’t stop throwing after he was placed on the 15-day IL, so now it’s a matter of getting the arm back to game action.