Chicago Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd had himself quite a journey over the last half-decade, from starting Opening Day with the Tigers, to dealing with injuries aplenty, to trying to work his way back to consistent health and success at the the big league level with the Mariners, Tigers, and Guardians, to joining the Cubs and putting up an All-Star season in 2025.
Now, he gets to start Opening Day again, and it marks a very personal moment of joy:
Two more weeks until Matthew Boyd takes the mound at Wrigley Field ?? pic.twitter.com/L4GUI8tCiY
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 13, 2026Matthew Boyd on what this would have meant to his late grandfather, who is from Chicago. pic.twitter.com/cDYjLEpNM5
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 13, 2026“Man, it’s an honor,” Boyd said, per the Tribune. “I’m so grateful to be the guy who gets the ball on that day. Obviously it’s a game just like the rest of the other 162, but I’m super grateful. Opening Day, it is really something that is truly special. I understand how much it means to Chicago fans and how much it means to my own family.”
It turns out that the Opening Day decision and Boyd’s departure from Team USA were indeed linked. It sounds like wasn’t QUITE a situation where Boyd was deciding to abandon Team USA in favor of the Cubs, but instead it was a matter of looking at the schedule, the likely usage by Team USA, and where it would leave Boyd in preparation for the season. If he were going to be starting Opening Day, it would make the most sense for him to come back to Cubs camp so he could be on routine for a full stretch-out start.
Matthew Boyd is set to start on Sunday, and then he’d be able to get one more Spring Training (or simulated) start before Opening Day.
Also, if you missed my thoughts on why Boyd as the Opening Day starter makes sense:
First and foremost, Matthew Boyd is a veteran on a staff that doesn’t necessarily have a long-standing, team-associated ace. If Justin Steele were healthy, for example, it would just FEEL like he was obviously the guy. But with Cade Horton a relative youngster, there isn’t another obvious choice.
Second, let’s not forget that Boyd is coming off an outstanding, All-Star, long and full season with the Cubs. He was the guy who carried so much of the load last year, and a tip of the cap on Opening Day – particularly after all he’s done in his career to try to get and stay healthy – seems like a nice thing to do.
Third, although the postseason appearances are probably sticking out in peoples’ minds, and Boyd did wear down late in the year, let’s not forget that he was outrageously good for the first five months. If he’s healthy and everything looks right with him, then why wouldn’t the Cubs want him getting the ball right away?
Fourth, although the composition of the roster is not identical, we have to remember that these Nationals were the third WORST team in baseball against left-handed pitchers last year. The Cubs went out of their way to make these kinds of match-ups happen, so why not do it again, even on Opening Day? Winning the games is really the main idea.
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