Thomas

Pomeranz

Pomeranz will be in the mix for high-leverage innings with the Angels alongside Robert Stephenson, Jordan Romano and Ben Joyce (shoulder). He’ll vulture the occasional matchup-dependent save but is unlikely to emerge as Los Angeles’ primary stopper. The 37-year-old southpaw was an unexpected revelation for the Cubs this past season, registering a sparkling 2.17 ERA — 3.36 FIP — and 57/15 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 innings over 57 appearances, during his first stint back in the majors since 2021.

Pomeranz gets the nod to open Saturday night’s series-deciding matchup in Milwaukee. The 36-year-old lefty has yet to allow a run in five innings this postseason and will face the top of the Brewers lineup to kick off an all-hands-on-deck scramble for the Cubs as they try to come all the way back to win the best-of-five series after dropping the first two contests.

It was a remarkable bounce-back performance from Boyd, who managed to work into the fifth inning of a do-or-die affair for the Cubs after allowing just two runs in the opening contest of the best-of-five series. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw struck out six and allowed just two hits and three walks in this one as he and four relievers — Daniel Palencia, Drew Pomeranz, Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar — combined on a three-hit shutout at Wrigley Field to keep Chicago’s postseason hopes alive.

Fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate Pomeranz working more than an inning or two as Chicago’s opener in place of an injured Jameson Taillon (calf). However, he’s been phenomenal this season in his first stint in the big leagues since 2021, reeling off 23 1/3 consecutive scoreless frames over 26 appearances.

The Cubs said after the game that it was lower back tightness for Pomeranz, who stayed in and finished the inning after the visit. Pomeranz has been terrific for the Cubs after being rejected by the Mariners, allowing only one unearned run (an automatic runner scoring in the 10th) over 18 1/3 innings in a setup role.

Pomeranz will open Thursday’s series finale in Washington with Colin Rea making a bulk relief appearance.

It’ll be veteran lefty Drew Pomeranz opening Saturday’s contest at Wrigley Field as the Cubs attempt to solve some of Brown’s issues in the early stages of outings. The 25-year-old righty figures to be jettisoned from Chicago’s starting rotation once Shota Imanaga (hamstring) is ready to return in a couple weeks. He’s struggled to a bloated 6.39 ERA across 11 appearances (10 starts) this season and is not a recommended option for fantasy purposes.

Counsell added that Hodge was unavailable for Monday’s game against the Marlins, which is presumably why he turned to righty Daniel Palencia in a save situation after Ryan Pressly and Drew Pomeranz pitched earlier in the contest. It’s a tough break for fantasy managers since Hodge figured to be in the mix for saves going forward. It’s a rather unsettled situation, and a bit of a quagmire altogether, but Pressly and Pomeranz seem like the most logical choices to close in Chicago at the moment.

Pomeranz, who hasn’t allowed a run in seven relief appearances since making his Chicago debut back on April 25, got the call to protect a three-run lead with Porter Hodge likely unavailable after throwing 29 pitches in a pair of appearances over the weekend. It certainly appears the Cubs are going to try to stay away from Ryan Pressly in save situations for the time being. The 36-year-old veteran southpaw struck out Kyle Stowers and got Eric Wagaman to fly out to center field before Connor Norby delivered a two-out single. He froze Derek Hill on a 94.4 mph fastball to extinguish any hopes of a comeback and preserve the victory.

Pomeranz was acquired from Seattle on Monday in a trade, and now the 36-year-old will have a chance to help the Cubs’ bullpen and make his first MLB appearance since 2021.