CINCINNATI -- Shota Imanaga has been a steady performer out of the Cubs’ rotation this season, picking up mostly where he left off in his stellar rookie showing last year. He pitched in an All-Star Game and he helped author a no-hitter last summer. For this campaign, he took the ball on Opening Day in Tokyo.

The postseason is the next stage awaiting Imanaga, who will have one more start in the regular season before the Cubs move on to October baseball. In a 7-4 loss to the Reds on Friday night at Great American Ball Park, Imanaga ran into a couple issues that he can work to iron out before the playoff assignment arrives.

A bulk of the scoring against Imanaga has come in the first inning this season -- 18 of his 54 runs allowed -- and the Reds jumped on the lefty with a solo homer in

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