For the second time in under a week, Cubs manager Craig Counsell is altering his starting rotation strategy. After successfully using veteran reliever Drew Pomeranz as an opener against the Reds last Saturday, Counsell will deploy the same tactic in Thursday’s series finale versus the Nationals.
That strategy paid off last weekend, with Ben Brown coming in after Pomeranz and dominating with six shutout innings of one-hit ball, securing a 2-0 victory. Now, Counsell is turning to Pomeranz again, this time ahead of Adrian Rea, who had originally been penciled in as the starter.
Rea, filling in for the injured Justin Steele since April, has been solid overall with a 3.96 ERA in 52.1 innings, but has stumbled lately, surrendering 12 earned runs in his last two starts. Despite a strong stretch from April 13 through May 18—where Rea posted a 2.72 ERA in seven starts, helping the Cubs go 6-1—his recent first-inning struggles have put the team in early holes.
Pomeranz, meanwhile, tossed a scoreless opening frame in his last outing, extending his shutout streak to 13.2 innings with Chicago. Counsell hopes that by starting the lefty against Washington’s left-heavy lineup, the Cubs can get through the top of the order cleanly and reduce Rea’s exposure to those hitters.
If Rea falters again, expect Counsell to act quickly, especially with a well-rested bullpen. Only Génesis Cabrera has pitched in the first two games of the series.
This will be the third time the Cubs have used an opener in 2025—and they’re 2-0 with the strategy so far, earning wins against the Mets on May 10 and the Reds on May 31.