Shota Imanaga was fantastic in his Chicago Cubs debut allowing just one hit and striking out nine in the Cubs’ 5-0 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday. The game was not only his Cubs debut but also his Major League Baseball debut and the first game of the year at Wrigley Field. Imanaga took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before giving up back-to-back singles with two outs. He shut down the Rockies’ attempt at a rally by striking out Nolan Jones to end the threat.

Christopher Morel continued his hot start to the season with two hits – one of which could only be classified as a “Little League home run”

GET LOUD, CHICAGO!

Little league home run for @christopmorel5! pic.twitter.com/9kMyoSyPZK

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 1, 2024

That play put the Cubs up 3-0. They would go up 5-0 when Cody Bellinger’s two-out single scored two runs. That would be more than enough on a cold and windy day at Wrigley. The Chicago bullpen held the Rockies scoreless for the final three innings in route to the win.

Imanaga is a big key for the Cubs with Jameson Taillon starting the season on the injured list and Justin Steele going to the injured list after suffering a hamstring injury on Opening Night against the Texas Rangers. Chicago should have pursued one of Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery in the offseason. They did not and now their lack of depth will be severely tested. Javier Assad is currently slotted into Taillon’s spot in the rotation. It is unclear who will take Steele’s spot. The Cubs called up Ben Brown but used him in relief last weekend.

The Cubs will be back in action on Tuesday night when Assad and the Cubs face off against the Rockies and Kyle Freeland who sports a 38.57 ERA on the season.