Cubs announce unlikely starter for Game 5 of the NLDS vs Brewers

The Chicago Cubs were down 0-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers, but fortunately were able to bring the series back to Chicago for Games 3 and 4. They won both games, forcing a winner-takes-all Game 5 to advance to the NLCS.

But the Cubs didn’t have an official plan for their starter for Game 5. After the struggles of Shota Imanaga and the unlikelyhood of Cade Horton getting put onto the postseason roster, the Cubs are making an interesting decision.

According to Maddie Lee of The Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs and Craig Counsell have decided to go with an opener in the form of Drew Pomeranz. The veteran reliever will get his first postseason start since 2017, and just his 5th start for the Cubs this season.

Cubs announce Drew Pomeranz will open Game 5Pomeranz is a veteran left-handed reliever, and so far for the Cubs, he’s been a stellar pickup. The 36-year-old hadn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since 2021 before joining the Cubs’ bullpen this season.

Cubs announce Drew Pomeranz will open Game 5 today.

— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) October 11, 2025 Since joining the Cubs, he’s been incredible. During the regular season, across 57 games, which included four starts, Pomeranz had a 2.17 ERA, a 2-2 record, one save, 57 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 49.2 innings pitched.

During the playoffs so far, in five appearances, Pomernanz has been perfect. He’s pitched five innings, allowing no walks or hits while striking out five, while facing the minimum every time he’s stepped onto the mound.

After not pitching in the Majors for over three years, to come to Chicago and be this productive is an incredible story. And now, the veteran left-hander, who once played for the Brewers in 2019, will start Game 5 of the NLDS against his former team.

More: Why did Craig Counsell leave the Brewers? Explaining the volatile situation around the Cubs manager’s offseason move

It’s an incredible opportunity for Pomeranz, and while he’ll not stick in the game for long as a reliever, the Cubs are hoping to shut down the top of the order with Pomeranz to start the game on a positive note.

This is an interesting decision from Counsell and the Cubs, especially after the wild ALDS showing from the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers that went 15 innings.

It’s going to be all hands on deck for the Cubs, and with Pomeranz starting the game as an opener, the Cubs will be going to their bullpen often during Saturday night’s winner-take-all Game 5 matchup against the Brewers for the chance to play the Los Angeles Dodgers to play in the World Series.

Pomeranz will look to continue his storybook resurgence with a strong start to Game 5. Meanwhile, Counsell and the Cubs bullpen will be busy all night long as they try to manage the game perfectly to shut down a potent Brewers offense.

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