Chicago Cubs rookie pitcher Shota Imanaga maintained a 0.84 ERA after pitching seven scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Imanaga's performance set the record for the lowest ERA in a pitcher's first nine games since 1913.

Both managers praised Imanaga's fastball and splitter combination.

The Cubs secured a 1-0 victory with a walk-off RBI single by Christopher Morel, their first 1-0 walk-off win since 2015.

Imanaga ranks third lowest in ERA through the first nine games of a season, making him a valuable asset in the Cubs' rotation.

Despite fly-ball tendencies, Imanaga's success in the power-oriented MLB has put him in contention for a Cy Young Award.

Manager Craig Counsell highlighted Imanaga's skills and competitiveness, marking him as a standout performer.