"Craig Counsell isn't starting Shota Imanaga even though he's on regular rest, which is a big relief given the lefty's sustained propensity for giving up homers. That doesn't mean he won't make an appearance in the right situation, especially with the strategy for this game calling for an all-hands-on-deck approach. Matthew Boyd is really the only Cubs pitcher who isn't available, and the Brewers will be doing pretty much the same thing."
"Drew Pomeranz will serve as the Cubs' opener, a role he played four times in the regular season. With the exception of a stinker against the Cardinals in which he gave up two runs on a hit and a walk while retiring only one of the four batters he faced, the lefty was strong in those starts. He's been excellent overall since being acquired from the Mariners in late April and having not pitched in the majors since 2021."
"This will be his sixth appearance of the postseason, and he's retired all of the 15 batters he's faced. That includes five strikeouts, though it also features a very heavy diet of fly balls. Getting more grounders sure would be nice, but all that matters is holding the Crew scoreless. Pomeranz has done just that over six regular-season appearances and in each of the last three games of this series, allowing no hits and no walks with five punchies over that most recent sample."
Craig Counsell isn't starting Shota Imanaga despite the pitcher being on regular rest because of Imanaga's sustained tendency to give up home runs. Imanaga could still appear in later situations under an all-hands-on-deck approach. Matthew Boyd is the only Cubs pitcher unavailable, and the Cubs plan a similar bullpen strategy. Drew Pomeranz will open for the Cubs; he has been strong since joining from the Mariners and has retired all 15 postseason batters faced while allowing no hits or walks in recent appearances. Managers will use matchup-driven quick hooks to navigate the top of the order and protect early leads.
Read at Cubsinsider
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