Left-Hander Steps Up for Chicago
With Justin Steele out for the 2025 season and Shota Imanaga sidelined for over a month, the Chicago Cubs’ rotation faced uncertainty. However, Matthew Boyd has emerged as a vital asset, proving his worth in a 4-3, 11-inning loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Boyd matched Phillies ace Zach Wheeler, tossing six innings of two-run ball (one earned), lowering his ERA to 2.89, just behind Wheeler’s 2.85. “It’s a solid effort every time out and gives us a chance to win,” manager Craig Counsell said. “Did it again tonight against their best guy. We’re right in it. He’s pitching really well and doing a heckuva job.”
Boyd took accountability for an unearned run in the fifth, caused by an errant pickoff throw. “That’s the difference in that game,” Boyd said. “That inning, that run plays out differently if I pick that guy off or, just make a good throw. When you’re going against a guy like Zach Wheeler, there’s not a lot of margin for error. I can be better there.”
In nine of his 13 starts, Boyd has pitched at least six innings, allowing three or fewer earned runs each time. After a rough May 23 start in Cincinnati, he’s surrendered just three earned runs over 19⅓ innings in his last three outings.
“You trust that he’s gonna go out there and give you a quality start every time out,” Dansby Swanson said. “Even that Cincy outing, when it didn’t start out great, he was able to find a way to keep us in the game. Just the sign of a true pro.”
Despite the loss, Boyd’s consistency keeps Chicago competitive in the NL Central. Can he continue to anchor the rotation? Follow the Cubs’ playoff chase for more!