Drew

Pomeranz

This most likely would have been Romano’s second save in two days if Zach Neto hadn’t homered in the top of the ninth to expand the Angels’ lead from three runs to four. However, since Romano has now pitched two days in a row, Drew Pomeranz, who didn’t throw tonight, is probably the favorite to close should the opportunity arise in Saturday’s game.

This came up completely out of nowhere. It looks like Jordan Romano or Drew Pomeranz will open the season as Los Angeles’ primary ninth-inning option with Yates on the shelf and Robert Stephenson (elbow) done for the year. No word yet regarding how much time Yates is expected to miss. This entire closing situation is a borderline stay-away for fantasy managers outside of extremely deep mixed leagues.

It’s a potential worst-case scenario and a crushing blow for Stephenson, who previously underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2024. The 33-year-old veteran reliever suffered a setback earlier this week after experiencing nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms during the offseason. He’ll visit with Dr. Meister to evaluate his options and determine whether he’ll be able to pitch at all this season. The most likely outcome is some kind of surgical procedure if he’s dealing with UCL damage. He’s no longer in the mix to close for the Angels with Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz the leading candidates.

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.