Pomeranz comeback story continued as Cubs starter in Game 5

MILWAUKEE — Drew Pomeranz headed into Game 5 likely to pitch just one inning, but the Cubs left-hander was a popular topic of conversation before the contest.

Naming him as the Cubs starter shouldn't have been a surprise. He's thrown three perfect innings in this series, plus 5⅔ scoreless against the Brewers in the regular season.

Throwing up a zero in the first inning has been an elusive goal in this series. The only pitcher on either side who did it in the first four games was Matthew Boyd on Thursday.

“Drew's best trait, he has a really unique fastball,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “It doesn't light up the radar gun, but everybody can see it. He throws it so much, but hitters have a hard time squaring it up. It's unique.”

“Hitters hate stuff they don't see a lot. That's what Drew's fastball kind of is, from the left side.”

Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy seconded Counsell's scouting report. Pomeranz pitched for the Brewers in 2019, which included two innings in the wild-card game at Washington.

“He's got the fastball that you don't see,” Murphy said. “It's got a little cut to it. He's really, really good.”

But the best part of the Pomeranz story is he hadn't pitched in the majors since 2021 until the Cubs added him in April. Pomeranz, 36, toiled for five minor-league teams while trying to come back from an injury.

“He could have gone home, and he would have had a great career and nobody would have thought twice of it,” Counsell said. “Nobody would have thought he gave up at all, right?

“But he kept doing it because he's doing what he loves to do. We can all get on board with that. He's in Triple-A as a 34-year-old, multiple years. Triple-A gets old at that age. He kept going, and he's created some great memories for himself because of it.”

Counsell was asked about the Pomeranz reaction to being named Game 5 starter.

“He was like, 'I can't believe it took you this long,'” Counsell said. “He was waiting for me to tell him. He's done this before for us (four times). He's got this great sense of knowing when it's going to happen.”

Extra long night:

Both managers were asked about the marathon 15-inning Game 5 played last Friday night between Detroit and Seattle, which the Mariners finally won 3-2.

It was an alarming reminder — this could happen to you.

“I guess I'm glad it happened,” Craig Counsell said. “I'm glad I saw it because it does make you think a little bit. But then your analytical head says, what are the odds of a 15-inning game, right?

“So you've got to keep guys available. But you've still got to get the out in front of you. And you don't expect games to go that long. That was a crazy game.”

Milwaukee's Pat Murphy felt like he learned from watching the decisive American League game.

“It gave me some ideas — you can see guys trying to get a result instead of just play the pitch,” he said.

Ultimately, Counsell appreciated that it was a great moment for the game.

“The best baseball has to offer, hanging on to that drama for essentially eight innings (of a tie game), one play is going to change the game,” he said. “That was incredible.”

Around the horn:

Craig Counsell on what he told Shota Imanaga, who started Game 2 but has given up a high number of home runs lately: “Look, you're not starting; you've got to be ready to pitch in the bullpen. I don't know when you're going to pitch. Let's make sure you have a routine that feels good for you to prepare to pitch. And he was very understanding of that.” …

Milwaukee starter Trevor Megill made his major-league debut with the Cubs in 2021 and posted an 8.37 ERA in 28 appearances that season. Megill was the Brewers' closer early in the year, then spent most of September on the injured list.