Cubs Take on Angels in Late-Night Matchup

Imanaga looks to bounce back as Manoah aims to revive career

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:08am

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The Chicago Cubs face off against the Los Angeles Angels in a late-night matchup, with starting pitcher Shota Imanaga looking to bounce back after a pair of shaky outings. Meanwhile, the Angels will send Alek Manoah to the mound, who is hoping to recapture the form that made him a Cy Young contender just a few seasons ago.

Why it matters

This game is an important test for both teams as they look to build momentum early in the season. The Cubs need strong performances from their starting pitchers, while the Angels are hoping Manoah can rediscover his dominant stuff and become a reliable part of their rotation.

The details

Imanaga has struggled to find his rhythm so far this spring, giving up three earned runs in each of his last two starts. The Cubs are counting on him to return to his 2024 form, when he was one of the team's most reliable starters. On the other side, Manoah is looking to bounce back after a disastrous 2023 season that saw his ERA balloon to 5.87. The Angels are hoping a change of scenery will help the former Cy Young contender get back on track.

  • The game is scheduled for an 8:05 pm CT first pitch on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
  • Team USA is playing for the World Baseball Classic title at the same time, with the game starting about an hour earlier.

The players

Shota Imanaga

A starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who is looking to bounce back after a pair of shaky outings to start the spring.

Alek Manoah

A starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels who is hoping to revive his career after a disastrous 2023 season with the Toronto Blue Jays.

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What they’re saying

“This rotation doesn't feature a lot of workhorses with impeccable health histories, either, so the Cubs really need those guys at the bottom to pull their weight. Maybe we'll see Imanaga tighten things up tonight.”

— Evan Altman, Author (cubsinsider.com)

“Manoah just turned 28 and could conceivably have a lot of good baseball left. He's got to do a lot of work to make that happen, starting with a tweak to his changeup.”

— Evan Altman, Author (cubsinsider.com)

What’s next

The outcome of this game could have implications for both teams as they look to establish themselves early in the season. A strong performance from Imanaga or Manoah could be a sign of things to come for their respective teams.

The takeaway

This late-night matchup between the Cubs and Angels features two pitchers looking to bounce back and prove they can be reliable parts of their team's rotations. The game will be an important test for both squads as they aim to build momentum in the early stages of the season.