The Chicago Cubs are set to once again rely on left-hander Matthew Boyd to kick off their postseason campaign. Boyd will face the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of their rematch at Petco Park on Tuesday. Boyd previously started the Cubs’ Game 1 matchup in last year’s wild-card series against the Padres, allowing just one run in 4 1/3 innings at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs had a choice to start right-hander Kevin Gausman, but they opted for Boyd. Manager Craig Counsell expressed confidence in Boyd’s ability to deliver a consistent performance. “The first two months of the season weren’t smooth for him, but he’s found a routine since then. He’s experienced in playoff situations and had good experiences last year,” Counsell said.
Boyd’s return from meniscus surgery highlighted his steady form. Since June 25, he recorded a 3.42 ERA over 17 starts, allowing three or fewer earned runs in 12 games. The Cubs have not disclosed the starters for Games 2 or 3; however, Gausman may take the mound as he continues to recover from a left shoulder injury sustained in his last regular-season start.
The Cubs aim to have 12 pitchers on their wild-card roster. Left-hander Shota Imanaga could play a role, either as a starter or reliever. Right-hander Clay Holmes may provide bulk innings despite not performing strongly toward the end of the season.
This series format gives Counsell flexibility to use his pitching staff as needed. Whether it’s starters in bullpen roles or targeted matchups, the focus is on securing outs. “We need 27 outs; the roles don’t matter,” Counsell stated. If the Cubs don’t win the opener, all pitchers will be available for Game 2.
A challenging element for the Cubs is playing at Petco Park, where the Padres have excelled with a 51-30 home record, compared to 40-41 on the road. As they prepare for the series, there is uncertainty around Alex Bregman’s role. Although Bregman is recovering from multiple facial fractures, he participated in grounders at third base, which is promising for the lineup. His return to third base would energize the Cubs.
Pete Crow-Armstrong expressed admiration for Bregman’s determination. “It’s inspiring. After eight facial fractures, seeing him back is impressive. He loves the game and lives for this kind of baseball,” Crow-Armstrong remarked.