Chicago – Amidst Shōta Imanaga’s inconsistent form and strong criticism of his recent games, the Chicago Cubs’ locker room was unexpectedly warmed by a humane message from his closest teammate – catcher Carson Kelly.

Not tactics. Not technical analysis. But mental support – something that is sometimes more important than strikeouts.

Speaking after a recent practice at Wrigley Field, Carson Kelly spoke frankly when asked about Imanaga’s slump:

“This is baseball. Nobody goes through the whole season perfectly. Shōta is a great pitcher, and he knows that. What matters is how you get up after you get hit.”

Kelly doesn’t shy away from the fact that Imanaga is having trouble with home runs more often than usual, especially in recent games where the Cubs have lost ground early in the game.

But instead of blaming, he takes the opposite approach: protecting his teammates’ morale.

“EVERYONE GOES THROUGH DIFFICULTIES. That doesn’t define who you are. It’s just part of a long season.”

Shōta Imanaga was once considered one of the most consistent pillars of the Cubs’ rotation, especially after an impressive start to the season.

But recently, things have reversed rapidly:

Several games with 3+ home runs
A significant increase in ERA in the recent series
The Cubs have lost many games where he was the starter, especially in crucial series
A tendency to “collapse” after being scored on early runs

In a recent game against St. The Cubs lost to the Louis Cardinals 6–5 despite strong offensive efforts, as Imanaga lost his advantage after a series of home runs from the opposing team.

Pressure from the Chicago crowd also began to mount, as expectations for the Japanese pitcher were already high after his impressive debut season.

More than just a catcher, Carson Kelly is becoming one of the most stable voices in the Cubs’ clubhouse.

He was also the one who shared before the season that the team’s goal wasn’t just to win, but to “build trust between the pitchers and the defense.”

This makes the relationship between Kelly and Imanaga one of the most important battery pairs for the Cubs this season.

An anonymous team member revealed:

“Kelly understands Imanaga better than anyone. When he’s down, Carson is the one who talks to him the most.”

According to internal analysis, Imanaga’s problem isn’t a loss of strikeout ability, but rather:

Small errors in pitch location
Being read faster in the second and third possessions
The psychological impact of an early home run

This makes each successful hit a turning point, rather than just a normal situation.

While Imanaga is under the most scrutiny, the Cubs are actually facing systemic problems:

Inconsistent bullpen
Defense failing to save the pitcher
Offense failing to maintain an advantage

This puts even more pressure on starters like Imanaga.

Carson Kelly concluded his sharing with a short but impactful statement:

“If you’re here long enough, you’ll understand – nobody wins the whole season. But a strong team is one that doesn’t abandon each other when things go wrong.”

Shōta Imanaga is going through a difficult period, but in the Cubs’ locker room, he’s not alone. And amidst the noise of criticism, Carson Kelly’s words resonated as a simple yet powerful reminder:

baseball isn’t just about statistics – it’s about how you get through your worst days.