Cubs Pitcher Shota Imanaga Says He Recognized NYC From Spider-Man

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga has been dominant to start his career in Major League Baseball, with just a 0.78 ERA in his first six starts.

He's walked just one hitter per nine innings, leading to a sparkling 23.5 percent K-BB%. He's also racked up five wins, tying him with three other starters for first in baseball. Given his early success, it's easy to forget that the 30-year-old is in his debut season in American baseball, after years of pitching in the Japanese Nippon League.

But he provided a funny reminder of his background when speaking to the media after the Cubs' 1-0 win over the New York Mets. When asked by the media what it was like to pitch in New York City for the first time as a big leaguer, he said he recognized the neighborhood around his hotel from Spider-Man.

"The view from the hotel, I recognize it from Spider-Man," Imanaga said through an interpreter. "So I was just like, oh, this is where Spider-Man was."

Imanaga Gets Another Win After Controversial Call

The quote was a funny reminder of how much of an adjustment it must be for international players to come to the big leagues. As well as the power of American-produced entertainment globally. Imanaga though, given his performance to start the year, seems to be handling it perfectly. 

He was dominant again on Wednesday, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out seven in seven scoreless innings. Though it very nearly wasn't enough, as the Cubs benefitted from a controversial, and likely incorrect, call to finish the game.

With second and third and one out in the 9th inning, Jeff McNeil lifted a fly ball to left field, and the Mets sent Pete Alonso home on the play in an attempt to score the tying run. 

Alonso was ruled out on the play, but it looked like Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya had a textbook example of blocking the plate without the ball. The Mets challenged, and the call stood.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game he believed the umps had made the "wrong call," and based on a memo sent out to the league in the spring, it seems he's right.

Regardless, Imanaga got his 5th win and hopefully took some time back at his hotel to rewatch Spider-Man with a new understanding of New York City.