Cubs Deploy Drew Pomeranz as Opener in Winner‑Take‑All NLDS Game 5

On Saturday, October 11, 2025, the Chicago Cubs announced that veteran left‑handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz, left‑handed pitcher of the Chicago Cubs would start the winner‑take‑all NLDS Game 5American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers. The decision, revealed by Craig Counsell, the 54‑year‑old manager of the Cubs, signaled a bold shift: Pomeranz would serve as an “opener,” likely delivering just the first inning before handing the reins to a fire‑ready bullpen.

Background: Pomeranz’s Unexpected Return

The 36‑year‑old’s 2025 season reads like a comeback novel. After a middling regular season where he was used as an opener four times, posting a 5.40 ERA in those outings, he turned heads in October. Across five postseason appearances, Pomeranz retired all 15 batters he faced, including three perfect innings in the current series. Earlier in the regular campaign, he tossed 5⅔ score‑less innings against Milwaukee, a sample the Cubs’ front office could not ignore.

His journey to Chicago started in 2019 when he was on Milwaukee’s payroll, even logging a two‑inning stint in that year’s wild‑card game in Washington. After bouncing around several clubs, the left‑hander signed a one‑year deal with the Cubs in February, primarily as a bullpen depth piece. Somewhere between spring training and the postseason, the narrative shifted from “depth arm” to “unsung hero.”

Strategic Decision: Why an Opener?

Facing a do‑or‑die scenario, Pat Murphy, the 56‑year‑old Brewers manager who also coached Pomeranz during his 2019 stint, weighed in. “He’s got a fastball you don’t see. It has a little cut to it. He’s really, really good,” Murphy said, echoing Craig Counsell’s praise of the left‑hander’s “unique fastball that hitters hate because they don’t see it often.”

The move also sidestepped a problematic option: Shota Imanaga, the Cubs’ regular starter, had been on the mound in the first four games but posted an 8.10 ERA in the postseason, surrendering three home runs in just 6.2 innings, including two long balls in Game 2. Counsell noted, “This is a game where we’re going to have everybody available. With the exception of Matt Boyd, everyone’s going to be available.” By using Pomeranz as an opener, the Cubs could immediately give the game to their high‑leverage relievers while preserving Imanaga for a potential later‑in‑game role.

Matchup Details and Pitching Staff

On the Brewers side, the ball will be delivered by Trevor Megill, a 30‑year‑old former Cub who made his MLB debut in 2021. After a rocky rookie season (8.37 ERA in 28 appearances), Megill earned the closer role in Milwaukee early this season, only to land on the injured list in September. His availability for Game 5 adds a layer of intrigue; the Brewers could be fielding a reliever in a starter’s slot.

All but one of Chicago’s relievers are healthy. Matthew Boyd was the only pitcher not listed as available, after a tight outing earlier in the series where he threw a scoreless first inning – the only starter to do so in the first four games. The Cubs’ bullpen, loaded with arms like Ryan Tepera, Adbert Alzolay, and Justin Steele, now has the luxury of shaping the game inning by inning after Pomeranz’s brief opening frame.

Reactions from Managers and Analysts

After the announcement, the clubhouse buzz was palpable. “It’s survive and advance, that’s it,” Counsell said, underscoring the win‑or‑go‑home mentality. Analysts on ESPN pointed out that the opener strategy, while unconventional in a playoff setting, has been gaining traction since the 2020 season, especially for teams with a deep bullpen. “Chicago is essentially betting that the first inning is a ‘get‑off‑to‑the‑right‑foot’ opportunity, then letting the relievers orchestrate the rest of the game,” wrote sportswriter Michael Brown.

Meanwhile, Brewers fans expressed a mixture of optimism and anxiety. The memory of Pomeranz’s 2019 wild‑card appearance lingered, but many hoped his familiarity with Milwaukee’s hitters would give the Cubs an edge. “If he can keep the Brewers off balance for that first inning, it could swing the momentum,” said Brewers beat reporter Alia Khan.

What This Means for the Cubs’ NLCS Hopes

If the opener plan works, the Cubs could seize an early lead or at least keep the game within reach, allowing their bullpen to dictate tempo. A successful first inning would also preserve Imanaga for a later appearance, possibly as a long‑relief option if the game drags into extra innings. The upside is high, but the risk is equally steep: a single misstep could hand the Brewers a lead they might never relinquish.

Should Chicago prevail, they advance to the National League Championship Series, where they would likely meet the winner of the NL West showdown. For a franchise still yearning for a World Series title since 2016, this Game 5 could be the turning point of a season that started with modest expectations and turned into a dramatic resurgence.

• Key Fact: Pomeranz retired 15 straight batters in the 2025 postseason.
• Game 5 is set for 2025‑10‑11 at American Family Field.
• Cubs manager Craig Counsell opted for an opener strategy.
• All Cubs relievers except Matt Boyd are available.
• Brewers starter Trevor Megill is a former Cub.