Matthew Boyd to Start Game 1 of Wild Card Series

Though it had already been widely assumed, Craig Counsell announced following the team’s Monday workout at Petco Park that Matthew Boyd will start for the Cubs in Game 1 of their Wild Card series against the Padres. Boyd had previously said that he wanted that honor, but then he had a pretty rough month on the mound. He righted the ship late, allowing just one earned run in each of his final two starts, and has earned the gig over the past two seasons with the team.

The only other realistic option was Kevin Gausman, whose status is still somewhat uncertain due to a tender left shoulder. David Peterson and Clay Holmes started during Friday’s doubleheader, so they wouldn’t be on regular rest until Game 3. Shōta Imanaga started on Sunday, but he only threw 12 pitches and can be ready to go for Game 2 if needed.

While I don’t particularly care for the idea of Imanaga getting a start, as his propensity for serving up home runs is scary, this isn’t a traditional structure. Counsell is going to get 27 outs by any means necessary, so starting a game doesn’t mean being the bulk man. It’s all about matchups and how they get two wins.