Craig Counsell Shaking Up Cubs Starting Rotation

For the second time in less than a week Cubs manager Craig Counsell is shaking up the starting rotation. After using veteran reliever Drew Pomeranz as the opener last Saturday against the Reds, Counsell is repeating the strategy for Thursday’s series finale against the Nationals.

It worked out to perfection against the Reds as Ben Brown entered the game in the second inning and proceeded to pitch six innings of one-hit, shutout ball, leading to a 2-0 win. Rea, who has filled in for Justin Steele in the rotation since April, has pitched fairly well until recently. In 52.1 innings this year Rea has a 3.96 ERA, but he’s allowed 12 earned runs in his last two starts.

Rea was the projected starter for Thursday’s game against the Nationals, but now he’s expected to be the bulk pitcher after Pomeranz.

Pomeranz tossed a scoreless first in his “start” against the Reds. That appearance extended the left-hander’s shutout streak to 13.2 innings with the Cubs.

Rea made his first start of the season on April 13, against the Dodgers. From that date through May 18, the righty posted a 2.72 ERA in seven starts, helping the Cubs go 6-1 in those games. However, similar to Brown, Rea struggled in the first inning in two straight starts against the Reds, which put the Cubs in an immediate deficit and led to losses.

The Nationals feature a left-handed heavy starting lineup, so Counsell is hoping that by using Pomeranz in the first the Cubs can navigate through the top of the batting order without damage and limit the number of times Rea has to face those hitters as the game progresses.

If Rea does struggle again on Thursday, then you should see Counsell pull him quickly. The bullpen should be fully rested and the only reliever who has thrown in the first two games of this series has been Génesis Cabrera.

This will be the third time the Cubs will use an opener. They’re 2-0 so far in 2025 when they have used this strategy, winning on May 10, against the Mets and May 31, against the Reds.