This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The Cubs have named Boyd their Opening Day starter, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
He'll be tasked with facing the Nationals and Cade Cavalli on March 26. Boyd earned the Opening Day nod following a terrific first season in Chicago which saw him collect a 3.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 154:42 K:BB across 179.2 regular-season innings.
Boyd didn't allow a baserunner over three scoreless innings during Thursday's Cactus League game against the Angels. He struck out three.
Making his second start of the spring, Boyd looked sharp as he kept Los Angeles off the bases for three innings. The veteran lefty now has seven strikeouts across 4.2 Cactus League innings. Boyd's K/9 dropped to 7.7 last year, his lowest rate since 2021, and he's unlikely to see any dramatic upticks at this point in his career. However, even modest gains in the strikeout department would boost the southpaw's fantasy stock in 2026. Outside of the drop in strikeouts, Boyd was excellent for the Cubs in 2025, recording a 3.21 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 179.2 regular-season innings.
Boyd did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win over the Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.2 scoreless innings.
The lefty changed speeds effectively and left the mound to a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field faithful, having fanned Christian Yelich with two runners in scoring position for his final out. Boyd has posted a 2.79 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 9.2 innings spanning three starts this postseason after putting up a 3.21 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 31 starts (179.2 innings) during the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Confirmed as Game 4 starter
Rotowire
Boyd will start Thursday's NLDS Game 4 against the Brewers, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Boyd will pitch on regular rest Thursday after he struggled on short rest in Game 1, allowing six runs (two earned) while recording just two outs. The left-hander has been notably better at home this season, posting a 2.51 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 79:14 K:BB over 89.2 frames covering 15 starts. Boyd will get to pitch at Wrigley Field on Thursday as the Cubs look to extend the series to a fifth game.
0:45
0:16
1:14
1:00
1:09
1:38
0:32
1:06
1:22
10:43
1:41
1:01
1:15
2:39
1:08
0:45
0:51
0:55
1:08
