Cubs LHP Matthew Boyd to start NLDS Game 1 on short rest

The Chicago Cubs will start Matthew Boyd in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the host Milwaukee Brewers on three days' rest on Saturday.

Boyd threw 58 pitches over 4 1/3 innings on Tuesday in Chicago's wild-card opener, allowing one run in a no-decision as the Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 3-1. He was monitored through a Friday workout before the team finalized the decision about the Saturday starter.

Manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the request is unusual, with Boyd not having pitched on short rest all season.

"We wouldn't make this decision, this would not be a decision (if he was coming off) a six-inning start or a 90-pitch start," Counsell said. "We would not be considering this. But, yeah, I think he had his head on it, probably when he got in the dugout. Yeah, and he's asked repeatedly about it."

The left-hander has pitched on three days' rest three times in his career, most recently on Oct. 1, 2022 in a relief appearance for the Seattle Mariners. The last short-rest start for Boyd came on Aug. 22, 2017, when he was a member of the Detroit Tigers. Boyd has posted a 4.70 ERA over 15 1/3 innings during his career on short rest.

"I think our staff does a great job of preparing us to have success when the time comes, whatever role we're in or whatever the opponent," Boyd said. "They do an amazing job in preparing us to get to where we need to go."

Boyd even got loose in the ninth inning of the Thursday clincher against the Padres as part of his between-start routine.

"He was willing to take the ball yesterday, so that tells you," Counsell said Friday.

In the regular season, Boyd went 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 31 starts. For his career in the postseason, he is 0-0 with a 1.10 ERA in five games (four starts).

He has poor career numbers against the Brewers, though: 2-2 with a 9.00 ERA in five starts. This year, he lost at Milwaukee on July 28 after yielding five runs on six hits and five walks in five innings, and he beat the Brewers in Chicago on Aug. 19 despite permitting four runs on six hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings.

The Cubs' rotation likely will feature left-hander Shota Imanaga on normal rest for Game 2 in Milwaukee and right-hander Jameson Taillon for Game 3 in Chicago. Rookie Cade Horton is out for the NLDS because of a fractured right rib.

--Field Level Media