CHICAGO — At Wrigley Field on Wednesday night, as Matthew Boyd stood poised atop the pitching mound, the turning point wasn’t just the pitch — it was the whisper from manager Craig Counsell as he approached, preparing to pull the ball: a season-defining moment. But the bigger surprise was how Boyd, the Cubs, and their mutual trust have written the story of the 2025 Playoffs.
The Cubs have just come off two 83-win seasons, each coming up short at the last minute. But this year, things were different. In the deciding game at Wrigley, Boyd pitched his 31st inning — a rare milestone in his career — and, despite wanting to continue, Counsell pulled him after a lengthy exchange between the two.
Counsell paid Boyd a glowing tribute:
“He was a steadying force … he made every start.”
Indeed, Boyd was a fulcrum: every time he stepped on the mound, no matter the pressure or the difficulty, he showed up — and gave the Cubs a chance to win.
When he signed a two-year, $29 million contract, many wondered: at 34 years old and fresh from Tommy John surgery, would Boyd still have the temperament to shine?Last year, he pitched just eight times in Cleveland after recovering, and the numbers didn’t say much other than: “potential, but risk.”
However, Boyd turned any doubts into a spectacular response: 31 starts — the most on the team, 179.2 innings, 3.21 ERA — to become a mainstay of the pitching rotation. When Justin Steele suffered an elbow injury and Shota Imanaga missed nearly two months with a thigh injury, Boyd didn’t back down; he took charge, pulling the Cubs through every turn.
“He’s come out strong in the National League this year,” said centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong — “he’s been the workhorse for us.”
Of course, not every game Boyd pitched was a “top-ten.” Late in the season, he struggled, posting a 5.77 ERA in his last eight appearances before last night’s game.But his shortcomings didn’t overshadow his role. When the night came, the 35,060-strong crowd erupted in applause as he left the field — a sign of honor for a man who fought hard.
Boyd couldn’t hide his gratitude:
“I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude … Season’s not done — we still have work to do.”
The key to the Cubs’ journey isn’t just Boyd — it’s the trust between the members. Boyd says he’s grateful to the Cubs for taking a chance on him after a 39-inning record last year. That’s what allowed him to step up and give it his all when the playoffs opened.
Counsell, Crow-Armstrong, the entire system — they all resonated in a winning chorus. Pulling Boyd out wasn’t out of frustration — it was out of protective instinct, knowing that Boyd “gave it his all” for this season.
As the regular season comes to a close, the question remains: Can the Cubs make the season “longer”? With Boyd at the helm, they have hope of making it through the playoffs.
But know that, while the Playoffs are a game of surprises, where miracles can collide with brutality, any team with a player like Boyd — one who overcomes limits and doubts — will have an intangible but invaluable advantage: tested faith.
Look forward to the first Playoffs night at Wrigley — where Boyd, the Cubs, and the fans will hold their breath, cheer together — if victory comes — and bow their heads in honor if defeat. Because in baseball, sometimes the power lies not just in the swing, but in the perseverance of the soul.
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