Chicago Cubs reveal shocking starter for NLDS must-win Game 5

Due up next in the short-staffed starting rotation order was Shota Imanaga. However, the Japanese southpaw was manhandled by the Brewers last Monday.  He gave up four earned runs via 2 home runs in 2.2 innings. Prior to that, he was touched up by the San Diego Padres in Game Two of the Wild Card Series, allowing 2 earned runs in 4 innings pitched.

Even with a combined 8.10 ERA in his two playoff starts this postseason, Imanaga was still believed to be the favorite to get the start this Saturday. With Matthew Boyd having pitched on Thursday and Jameson Taillon going fairly deep into the game on Wednesday, Imanaga was pretty much the last starter standing, aside from longshot swing men Colin Rea and Aaron Civale.

All hands on deck for NLDS finale

The move to use Pomeranz as Saturday’s Game Five opener is a noteworthy flipping of the script. It doesn’t deviate all that much, though, from manager Craig Counsell’s assertion on Friday that just about everyone should be ready to glove up and lend a hand.

“This is a game where we’re going to have everybody available,” Counsell told media. “With the exception of Matt Boyd, everyone’s going to be available.”

“It’s cliche here, but we’ve got 11 pitchers to figure out how to get 27 outs,” Counsell added. “And that’s how we’re treating it.”

The left-handed Pomeranz has been a shutdown bullpen presence this postseason, delivering five no-hit, no-run innings in five appearances in the Cubs’ two playoff series. On Thursday, he pitched a 1-2-3 inning versus the Brewers to help secure the Cubs 6-0 Game Four victory.

The 36-year-old has been rock solid all year for Chicago, posting a 2.17 ERA over 57 appearances and 49.2 innings.

Acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a late-April trade for cash considerations, Pomeranz had not pitched in the majors since 2021 and was close to hanging up his glove before getting this last shot with the Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs’ brilliant pickup

“When I pitched in my first game back,” Pomeranz told USA TODAY Sports back in late May, “you wouldn’t believe how many text messages I got from people saying, ‘Is that you? I thought you retired.’ It’s been pretty surreal being back.”

“You have such a different perspective when something is taken away from you,” Pomeranz added. “There are so many times I thought this day would never happen again. I basically retired last year. I would get so close to being back in the big leagues, but then I’d get knocked down again. It sucks. You start to count out yourself out, to be honest.”

Pomeranz has made the most of this last shot. He’s become an indispensable part of a surprisingly solid Cubs bullpen mostly made up of castoffs, longshots, and rehab projects.

Counsell’s plan will most likely involve using Pomeranz for an inning or so. Then they will move on based on what matchups make sense. It wouldn’t be too surprising to even see Imanaga, get a few innings in this all-important “must win” series finale.

With a victory on Saturday, Chicago would move on to the NLCS versus the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Monday.