This unsung hero of the Cubs bullpen deserves every fan's gratitude

At 36 years old and having last pitched in an MLB game in 2021, nobody thought much of the Chicago Cubs bringing in left-hander Drew Pomeranz back in April. A little more than two months later, that move is being looked at through a very different lens.

Entering July, Pomeranz has made 25 appearances for manager Craig Counsell and is yet to allow a single earned run. Opponents are batting just .171 against him this season, with a horrendous .184 slugging percentage to match.

Much of the attention in the bullpen has centered around guys like Daniel Palencia, Brad Keller and Caleb Thielbar - but the contributions of Pomeranz and another low-risk pick-up, Chris Flexen (0.64 ERA in 15 appearances) have been real difference-makers as the Cubs worked through Ryan Pressly's early-season struggles and injuries to guys like Porter Hodge.

Drew Pomeranz has been a godsend in a surprisingly strong Cubs bullpen

It's been a fairy tale-like journey for Pomeranz, who turns 37 this fall.

“You have such a different perspective when something is taken away from you. There are so many times I thought this day would never happen again. I basically retired last year. I would get so close to being back in the big leagues, but then I’d get knocked down again. It sucks. You start to count out yourself out, to be honest."

Left-handed relief has felt like a constant need for the Cubs in recent years, and the tandem of Pomeranz and Thielbar has been a real revelation through the season's first half. Pomeranz has spent parts of 12 seasons pitching for eight different MLB teams. He was an All-Star with the San Diego Padres in 2016, back when he was still a starting pitcher.

Now, in the twilight of his career, the southpaw has a chance to play a key role on a team with October aspirations. He's pitched a total of 11 2/3 postseason frames in his career - appearing in games for Boston, Milwaukee and San Diego - and hopes to add a fourth team to that list in a matter of months.

“I mean, it just doesn’t feel real. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for years. It’s tough to keep pushing through mentally, physically, all of it, especially when over and over again, nothing is working.