Craig Counsell didn’t announce a starter for NLDS Game 5 during his presser Friday evening. It was widely assumed that it could be a bullpen game, a game with an opener, or possibly Shōta Imanaga starting.

A short time ago, the Cubs made the decision:

Drew Pomeranz is, quite clearly, going to be an opener. He did this four times during the season and three times had a 1-2-3 inning, the only exception being July 5 against the Cardinals, where he walked a pair and allowed two runs.

In the NLDS, Pomeranz has thrown three times and had a 1-2-3 inning each time, striking out five of the nine Brewers hitters he has faced. He threw 15 pitches in Game 4.

All the Cubs pitchers, save Matthew Boyd who started Game 4, should be available for Game 5. Counsell could go with a bunch of single-inning

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