Cubs leaning heavily on two forgotten former SF Giants pitchers in playoffs

The Chicago Cubs will take on the Milwaukee Brewers in a pivotal Game 5 tonight. They will be giving the ball to left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz, a forgotten former SF Giants pitcher who is not the only forgotten Giant on the Cubs.

Chicago has also benefitted from a great year by former Giant Matthew Boyd. The left-hander got the start in Game 4 and pitched very well, delivering 4 and 2/3 scoreless innings as the Cubs won to force a Game 5.

Pair of former SF Giants are being leaned on heavily by the Cubs

Pomeranz will be used as an opener for Chicago meaning he will probably just be used for the first inning before being replaced by a reliever. He has been sensational for the Cubs this postseason, appearing in five games and not allowing a single run, hit, or walk in five innings of work.

Boyd has been similarly solid for the Cubs this postseason with a 2.79 ERA in three starts. He had a phenomenal regular season with a 14-8 record and 3.21 ERA in 31 starts which earned him a trip to the All-Star Game.

Giants fans can be forgiven for forgetting Boyd was a Giant because he never actually appeared in a game with the Giants. San Francisco signed him to a contract in 2022 while he was recovering from a injury, but before he was able to pitch for the Giants he was traded along with Curt Casali to the Seattle Mariners.

Pomeranz's renaissance with the Cubs has been even more remarkable. He was a starter with the Giants back in 2019 and struggled mightily which got him moved to the bullpen. He showed more promise as a relief arm which allowed the Giants to trade him to the Milwaukee Brewers along with Ray Black in exchange for Mauricio Dubón.

The tall lefty went on to be a solid reliever for Milwaukee and then had two great seasons as a bullpen arm for the San Diego Padres before injuries struck.

He last appeared in the big leagues in 2021 with San Diego before emerging with the Cubs this season. He even briefly rejoined the Giants organization back in 2024 on a minor-league deal but was not promoted to the big league club. He bounced around a lot of places but now finds himself in the middle of a key NLDS series.

The winner of Game 5 will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS so whoever emerges victorious will instantly gain the support of Giants fans. If the Cubs win, it will be neat to see two forgotten former Giants try to take down the Dodgers and prevent them from returning to the World Series.