Matthew Boyd has done everything, and more, than the Chicago Cubs expected when they signed him to a two year, $29 million deal this off-season. Through his first eight starts, he has an impressive 2.78 ERA over 45.1 innings pitched, but what he has done over his last two outings hasn’t been done by a Cubs pitcher since 2019.
It’s been nearly six years since a Chicago Cubs pitcher posted back-to-back quality starts with this stat line
Boyd has been on a tear all season, consistently giving the Cubs length by going at least five innings in every start. Lately, though, he’s taken it up a notch. In his last two outings, against the Giants and Mets, Boyd tossed six innings each, racked up seven and eight strikeouts respectively, and didn’t issue a single walk.
According to Christopher Kamka, Boyd’s stat line of six innings pitched, zero walks, and at least seven strikeouts in consecutive starts is the first time a Cubs pitcher has done this since Yu Darvish in 2019. Darvish accomplished this during starts on August 9 and 15 when he went six innings, struck out nine, and walked zero against the Reds and followed that up by tossing seven innings, striking out 10, and walking zero against the Phillies.
Matthew Boyd believes Chicago Cubs starters need to go deep into games
Much like in recent seasons, the bullpen continues to be the Cubs’ achilles heel, posting a 4.75 ERA that ranks in the bottom third of the league. Boyd’s most recent outing against the Mets highlighted the issue once again, as the bullpen surrendered four earned runs after his exit.
After the game, Boyd talked about how the bullpen has been fighting for the team, but regardless of what they are going through his job is to continually work deep into games. Boyd said, “That’s our job as a starter, it’s always important. That’s what we are called to do.”
“That’s our job as a starter, it’s always important … the bullpen’s been amazing for us.”
Matthew Boyd on the need for Cubs starters to go deep into games. pic.twitter.com/WWbjNmGakm
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 11, 2025
Boyd’s comments on providing length for the team hits home even more when taking into account the Cubs are trying to manage a starting rotation without Javier Assad, Justin Steele, and Shota Imanaga. If Chicago wants to continue their early season success, they’ll need more performances from others like Boyd has provided all season long.
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