Pomeranz (4-3) shut out the Cubs over six innings Wednesday, striking out 10 while allowing three hits and three walks.
Injuries and a move to the bullpen derailed the start of Pomeranz's career, but changing home venues to San Diego has proven to be a boon for the 27-year-old lefty, who now has two double-digit-strikeout games this year and a whopping 51 whiffs in 40 innings -- a top-10 total in the National League. His too-good BABIP and strand rate will see some regression, so Pomeranz won't be able to maintain his startlingly good 1.80 ERA, but he's clearly arrived as a more-than-legit MLB starter. The question now is whether he'll be able to avoid breaking down over the course of the season, as Pomeranz has never remotely approached 200 innings and tossed just 86 last year.