Cubs' Matthew Boyd announced as Game 4 starter, ready for chance at redemption

Matt Sullivan

•
Cubs' Matthew Boyd announced as Game 4 starter, ready for chance at redemption image

The Chicago Cubs won Game 3 of the NLDS, which kept the NL Central team alive in the postseason. But, still on the brink of elimination, they have to win Game 4 before a winner-takes-all Game 5.

Fortunately, the Cubs are playing at home in Chicago, and while the Brewers are a tough team, the Cubs have a real chance to force a Game 5 with their rested bullpen and solid offense. They also have a pitcher ready for some redemption in Game 4.

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the Cubs have announced that Matthew Boyd will start Game 4 of the NLDS. For Boyd, as he described in a piece from Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, he's ready for this shot at redemption following his disastrous Game 1 outing.

Matthew Boyd is ready for his shot at redemption for Game 4 of the Cubs-Brewers NLDS

"I know what I'm going to do when the ball is in my hand, Body said. "And when that time comes tomorrow, I'll be ready. I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to compete and leave it all out there on the field."

Baseball is a team sport, but the performance of Boyd to begin the game will be huge in making the Cubs' chances to force a Game 5 realistic. Boyd is ready for his second start of the NLDS.

"It takes all of us to go where we want to go. I'll do my role." Boyd said. "When that time comes, I'll be ready to do exactly what I know I can do."

This season, Boyd had a 3.21 ERA and 154 strikeouts with a 14-8 record in 31 starts. It was one of the best seasons of his big league career, especially since it followed multiple injury-shortened seasons.

More: Chicago Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers: every game that fueled the 2025 rivalry

Boyd has made two postseason starts, and his first, in Chicago, was a strong one. He went 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run with two strikeouts against the San Diego Padres.

But in Game 1 of the NLDS, Boyd was hit hard by the Brewers' offense. He allowed four hits and two earned runs in the first inning of the game, but with an error that extended the inning, Boyd and the Cubs allowed the Brewers to put six runs up in the first.

For Game 4, the Cubs can't afford to have such a bad start. Between Boyd and the defense, and their inconsistent offense, the Cubs need to rebound from their lackluster Games 1 and 2 to force a Game 5 in Milwaukee.

Fortunately, based on the comments from Boyd, he's put the disastrous Game 1 start behind him and is looking forward to the chance for redemption.

Boyd is getting his third postseason start this playoffs, and he'll face Freddy Peralta with a chance to extend the series one more game, forcing a winner-takes-all Game 5 in Milwaukee that could go in any direction.

More Cubs News:

Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.