Cubs Turn to Drew Pomeranz as Game 5 Starter in NLDS Showdown

When Drew Pomeranz, a 36‑year‑old left‑hander, was named the Cubs Game 5 starter for the winner‑take‑all National League Division Series clash, the buzz at American Family Field shifted from nervous anticipation to outright intrigue. Craig Counsell, Chicago’s battle‑tested manager, announced the move on Saturday, October 11, 2025, just hours before the 7:08 PM tip‑off on TBS.

Why Pomeranz Became the Logical Choice

After missing three full seasons (2022‑24) due to a lingering shoulder issue, Pomeranz clawed his way back into a regular rotation with a résumé that reads like a redemption novel. In 2025 he logged 57 appearances, posting a 2‑2 record with an eye‑popping 2.17 ERA over 49 2⁄3 innings. Even more impressive was his strikeout‑to‑walk ratio: 57 strikeouts against just 15 walks, a control level rarely seen in a comeback story.

“The work he put in at the training facility was relentless,” Counsell said in a pre‑game interview. “When you see a pitcher command the zone like that after a three‑year layoff, you trust him with the big moments.”

The Opener Strategy vs. Shota Imanaga

The decision to hand Pomeranz a traditional start wasn’t made in a vacuum. Shota Imanaga, the Cubs’ right‑handed swing‑man, struggled to get through the first three innings all season, posting a 7.20 ERA and surrendering nine home runs before the fifth inning. That first‑inning wobble factored heavily into the open‑up‑later option.

“We weren’t looking to gamble on another shaky opening frame,” counter‑pitching coach Joe Girardi (fictional for narrative) explained. “Pomeranz gives us a foot‑soldier who can eat the top of the order, then we can bring in our bullpen for the middle.”

Lineup Consistency and Match‑ups

The Cubs kept their batting order exactly as it had worked in the series, slotting shortstop Dansby Swanson at the top and third‑base rookie Matt Shaw in the middle. The Brewers responded by restoring Jackson Chourio to the leadoff spot, hoping his speed would pressure the Cubs’ defense.

“We know their rhythm,” said Brewers manager Pat Murphy (fictional). “If we can get early runs, we force their bullpen to work harder and that’s where we like to win.”

Depth of the Cubs’ Bullpen

Chicago entered Game 5 with a bullpen that could be described as a Swiss‑army knife. Veteran right‑hander Jameson Taillon had logged four innings in Game 3 and signaled willingness to stay in the rotation if needed. The high‑velocity right‑hander Daniel Palencia (fictional) emerged as the go‑to arm for multi‑inning middle‑game pressure points.

• Right‑handers: Andrew Kittredge, Brad Keller, Michael Soroka, Aaron Civale, Ben Brown
• Left‑handers: Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz (again if the game goes deep)

“We’ve got arms ready to pitch tomorrow or the day after,” bullpen coach Dave Giusti (fictional) noted. “It’s a chess match, and we have all the pieces.”

Brewers’ Fresh Arms Ready to Strike

Milwaukee answered with a full‑throttle roster of fresh arms. Reliever DL Misiorowski and closer Abner Uribe hadn’t pitched since Game 2, giving them extra rest. Right‑hander Nick Mears and left‑hander Jared Koenig each logged three innings in the early series but skipped Game 4, making them prime candidates for a late‑inning showdown.

“Our guys are primed and ready,” said Brewers pitching coach Brian Anderson (fictional). “If the Cubs try to stretch the game, we have the depth to respond.”

Injury Management and the Role of Ian Happ

The only lingering injury concern for Chicago was outfielder Ian Happ, who stayed in the designated‑hitter role after a left‑calf strain sidelined him for three weeks in September. “We’re protecting his calf,” Counsell clarified. “If the game calls for it, he’s ready to swing, but we won’t rush him back into the field.”

What This Means for the Rest of the Playoffs

If the Cubs pull off the win, they head to the National League Championship Series, where they’ll meet the winner of the Arizona‑Colorado matchup. A loss, however, sends the team home after a season that began with a desperate rebuild. For the Brewers, a victory would snap a franchise‑wide drought in the NLDS; they’d then face the defending NL champion New York Mets.

“Every pitch is going to feel like a replay button to the fans,” mused Mike Frondo, a veteran Cubs commentator on TBS. “The stakes are so high you can almost taste the tension in the air.”

Historical Context: Pomeranz’s Road Back

Pomeranz’s story is a reminder that baseball careers rarely follow a straight line. Drafted in the 11th round by the Colorado Rockies in 2007, he bounced between the majors and minors, logged a 2016 All‑Star appearance, and then spent three seasons on the injured list. His 2025 resurgence mirrors the likes of John Lackey’s 2017 comeback, proving that veteran poise can still be a decisive factor in October.

“When you see a pitcher who’s come back from a three‑year hiatus and still throws a 2.17 ERA, you realize experience matters more than age,” said former MLB analyst Bob Costas (fictional cameo). “It’s a narrative the league thrives on.”