Baseball romanticizes opening-day heroics, but reality doesn’t always match the script. Under the bright lights of the MLB’s Japan opener, Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga delivered a masterclass against the mighty Dodgers—only to brush it off as anything but enjoyable. Turns out, even when you dominate, the weight of expectations can dull the thrill of victory.

Shota Imanaga was on top of the Dodgers offense on Game 1 of the opening day. But even after his stellar performance, he was not having any fun. He said, “It wasn’t fun. To be honest, I was under a lot of pressure, and I finally got a good night’s sleep yesterday, so I think I can let go today.”

The pressure on Shota Imanaga and all the Japanese players in this series is intense. Not just because it is the season opener but mainly because it is happening in their home country. Although the result didn’t go his way, he was able to get a good night’s sleep after the pressure was taken off him.

Pressure may build diamonds, but it doesn’t guarantee smiles. Imanaga and his fellow Japanese stars carried the weight of a nation on opening day, proving their mettle while sacrificing their joy. Maybe next time, MLB can schedule the season opener somewhere less stressful—like the moon.