Shota Imanaga tossed seven shutout innings and five players hit solo home runs Saturday, carrying the Chicago Cubs to a 6-0 win over the Boston Red Sox.

Runners left in scoring position_Boston 3 (Wong 2, Anthony); Chicago 3 (Crow-Armstrong, Busch, Happ). RISP_Boston 0 for 5; Chicago 0 for 5. Runners moved up_Bregman, Tucker.

The Boston Red Sox visit the Chicago Cubs Saturday evening for the second game of their 3-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The impact of Imanaga’s return to the Cubs rotation can’t be overstated. The lefty missed nearly two months after straining a hamstring in early May. While the team continued to play good baseball, it’s clear that Imanaga, when he’s at his best, makes this team look all the more dangerous.

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With Kyle Tucker months away from free agency, the Chicago Cubs are facing their most important trade deadline in years, and president Jed Hoyer seems to fully understand the urgency of the moment.