{"id":163398,"date":"2026-03-13T06:59:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T06:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=163398"},"modified":"2026-03-13T06:59:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T06:59:12","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8breaking-cubs-make-a-bold-move-by-selecting-matthew-boyd-to-start-opening-day-against-the-nationals-fans-are-buzzing-is-this-the-spark-the-cubs-need-to-kick-off-their-season-st","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=163398","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Cubs make a bold move by selecting Matthew Boyd to start Opening Day against the Nationals! Fans are buzzing \u2014 is this the spark the Cubs need to kick off their season strong, or will the pressure get to Boyd? The stage is set for a thrilling start! \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cubs <\/span>Select <\/span>Matthew <\/span>Boyd <\/span>to <\/span>Start <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>Against <\/span>Nationals: <\/span>The <\/span>Inside <\/span>Story<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Matthew<\/p>\n

In <\/span>a <\/span>move <\/span>that <\/span>has <\/span>Cubs <\/span>fans <\/span>buzzing <\/span>with <\/span>excitement, <\/span>manager <\/span>Craig <\/span>Counsell <\/span>announced <\/span>on <\/span>Thursday <\/span>that <\/span>left-<\/span>handed <\/span>pitcher <\/span>Matthew <\/span>Boyd <\/span>will <\/span>get <\/span>the <\/span>start <\/span>on <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>against <\/span>the <\/span>Washington <\/span>Nationals. <\/span>This <\/span>news <\/span>comes <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>heels <\/span>of <\/span>Boyd <\/span>rejoining <\/span>Cubs <\/span>spring <\/span>training <\/span>after <\/span>his <\/span>stint <\/span>with <\/span>Team <\/span>USA <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>World <\/span>Baseball <\/span>Classic (<\/span>WBC) <\/span>opening <\/span>round. <\/span>The <\/span>announcement <\/span>has <\/span>raised <\/span>eyebrows <\/span>and <\/span>sparked <\/span>plenty <\/span>of <\/span>discussion <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>baseball <\/span>world, <\/span>as <\/span>Boyd’s <\/span>journey <\/span>to <\/span>this <\/span>moment <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>a <\/span>story <\/span>of <\/span>resilience, <\/span>hard <\/span>work, <\/span>and <\/span>impressive <\/span>performances <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>mound.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew <\/span>Boyd, <\/span>now <\/span>35 <\/span>years <\/span>old, <\/span>is <\/span>no <\/span>stranger <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>spotlight. <\/span>Over <\/span>the <\/span>years, <\/span>he <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>a <\/span>steady <\/span>and <\/span>reliable <\/span>presence <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>mound, <\/span>but <\/span>this <\/span>year\u2019s <\/span>spring <\/span>training <\/span>is <\/span>different. <\/span>Boyd <\/span>had <\/span>originally <\/span>been <\/span>scheduled <\/span>to <\/span>pitch <\/span>for <\/span>Team <\/span>USA, <\/span>but <\/span>due <\/span>to <\/span>his <\/span>role <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>WBC, <\/span>his <\/span>time <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>team <\/span>didn\u2019t <\/span>guarantee <\/span>him <\/span>continued <\/span>innings. <\/span>After <\/span>making <\/span>a <\/span>relief <\/span>appearance <\/span>in <\/span>Game <\/span>3 <\/span>of <\/span>pool <\/span>play <\/span>against <\/span>Mexico, <\/span>where <\/span>he <\/span>didn’t <\/span>get <\/span>a <\/span>chance <\/span>to <\/span>pitch <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>following <\/span>rounds, <\/span>Boyd <\/span>made <\/span>the <\/span>decision <\/span>to <\/span>return <\/span>to <\/span>Arizona <\/span>for <\/span>Cubs <\/span>spring <\/span>training.<\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/span>I <\/span>wasn’t <\/span>going <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span>starting <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>next <\/span>round,” <\/span>Boyd <\/span>explained. “<\/span>And <\/span>those <\/span>guys <\/span>are <\/span>doing <\/span>potentially <\/span>four <\/span>to <\/span>six <\/span>innings <\/span>worth <\/span>of <\/span>work <\/span>and <\/span>we <\/span>have <\/span>some <\/span>amazing <\/span>bullpen <\/span>arms <\/span>after <\/span>them <\/span>on <\/span>Team <\/span>USA. <\/span>So <\/span>it <\/span>was <\/span>just <\/span>more <\/span>about <\/span>potentially <\/span>taking <\/span>seven, <\/span>eight <\/span>days <\/span>without <\/span>making <\/span>a <\/span>start.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This <\/span>decision <\/span>wasn\u2019t <\/span>easy, <\/span>but <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>understanding <\/span>of <\/span>his <\/span>situation <\/span>made <\/span>it <\/span>clear: <\/span>there <\/span>wasn\u2019t <\/span>enough <\/span>guaranteed <\/span>pitching <\/span>action <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>WBC <\/span>for <\/span>him <\/span>to <\/span>justify <\/span>staying. <\/span>His <\/span>goal <\/span>was <\/span>clear \u2013 <\/span>return <\/span>to <\/span>Cubs <\/span>spring <\/span>training, <\/span>continue <\/span>preparing <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>regular <\/span>season, <\/span>and <\/span>stay <\/span>in <\/span>top <\/span>form <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>upcoming <\/span>campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boyd\u2019s <\/span>return <\/span>to <\/span>Arizona <\/span>marks <\/span>an <\/span>important <\/span>chapter <\/span>in <\/span>his <\/span>preparation <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>regular <\/span>season. <\/span>With <\/span>just <\/span>a <\/span>handful <\/span>of <\/span>innings <\/span>under <\/span>his <\/span>belt <\/span>in <\/span>spring <\/span>training, <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>upcoming <\/span>appearances <\/span>in <\/span>camp <\/span>will <\/span>focus <\/span>on <\/span>stretching <\/span>him <\/span>out <\/span>to <\/span>ensure <\/span>he\u2019s <\/span>fully <\/span>ready <\/span>to <\/span>take <\/span>the <\/span>mound <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs <\/span>when <\/span>the <\/span>season <\/span>begins. <\/span>Despite <\/span>not <\/span>pitching <\/span>more <\/span>than <\/span>four <\/span>innings <\/span>this <\/span>spring, <\/span>Boyd <\/span>remains <\/span>focused <\/span>on <\/span>building <\/span>up <\/span>his <\/span>endurance, <\/span>knowing <\/span>that <\/span>the <\/span>work <\/span>he <\/span>puts <\/span>in <\/span>now <\/span>will <\/span>pay <\/span>off <\/span>once <\/span>the <\/span>games <\/span>start <\/span>to <\/span>count.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

As <\/span>for <\/span>Cubs <\/span>manager <\/span>Craig <\/span>Counsell, <\/span>the <\/span>decision <\/span>to <\/span>name <\/span>Boyd <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>starter <\/span>was <\/span>something <\/span>he <\/span>had <\/span>in <\/span>mind <\/span>from <\/span>the <\/span>very <\/span>beginning <\/span>of <\/span>spring <\/span>training. <\/span>However, <\/span>with <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>commitments <\/span>to <\/span>Team <\/span>USA <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>uncertainty <\/span>surrounding <\/span>his <\/span>pitching <\/span>schedule, <\/span>Counsell <\/span>had <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span>patient. <\/span>The <\/span>manager <\/span>knew <\/span>that <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>time <\/span>with <\/span>Team <\/span>USA <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>critical <\/span>opportunity <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>pitcher, <\/span>but <\/span>he <\/span>also <\/span>knew <\/span>the <\/span>importance <\/span>of <\/span>getting <\/span>Boyd <\/span>back <\/span>on <\/span>track <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs.<\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/span>I <\/span>think <\/span>the <\/span>waiting <\/span>was <\/span>just <\/span>making <\/span>sure <\/span>that <\/span>what <\/span>happened <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>WBC <\/span>didn’t <\/span>affect <\/span>his <\/span>preparation <\/span>and <\/span>we’re <\/span>in <\/span>good <\/span>shape <\/span>with <\/span>that,” <\/span>Counsell <\/span>shared. “<\/span>You <\/span>earn <\/span>these <\/span>things <\/span>and <\/span>I <\/span>think <\/span>Matthew <\/span>has <\/span>earned <\/span>this <\/span>with <\/span>how <\/span>he <\/span>pitched <\/span>last <\/span>year <\/span>and <\/span>since <\/span>coming <\/span>back <\/span>from <\/span>an <\/span>injury.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Boyd\u2019s <\/span>2025 <\/span>season <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs <\/span>was <\/span>nothing <\/span>short <\/span>of <\/span>remarkable. <\/span>After <\/span>being <\/span>signed <\/span>as <\/span>a <\/span>back-<\/span>end <\/span>starter <\/span>the <\/span>previous <\/span>offseason, <\/span>Boyd <\/span>quickly <\/span>emerged <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>team\u2019s <\/span>ace. <\/span>His <\/span>performances <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>mound <\/span>earned <\/span>him <\/span>a <\/span>well-<\/span>deserved <\/span>spot <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>All-<\/span>Star <\/span>Game, <\/span>and <\/span>his <\/span>clutch <\/span>pitching <\/span>during <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs\u2019 <\/span>playoff <\/span>run <\/span>made <\/span>him <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>most <\/span>reliable <\/span>arms <\/span>in <\/span>their <\/span>rotation. <\/span>Boyd <\/span>finished <\/span>the <\/span>2025 <\/span>season <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>stellar <\/span>14-<\/span>8 <\/span>record <\/span>and <\/span>a <\/span>3.21 <\/span>ERA, <\/span>making <\/span>all <\/span>31 <\/span>starts <\/span>after <\/span>missing <\/span>a <\/span>significant <\/span>portion <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>previous <\/span>season <\/span>due <\/span>to <\/span>an <\/span>arm <\/span>injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/span>I’m <\/span>so <\/span>grateful <\/span>to <\/span>just <\/span>be <\/span>the <\/span>guy <\/span>that <\/span>gets <\/span>the <\/span>ball <\/span>on <\/span>that <\/span>day,” <\/span>Boyd <\/span>said <\/span>when <\/span>reflecting <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>start. “<\/span>We <\/span>have <\/span>a <\/span>chance <\/span>to <\/span>do <\/span>something <\/span>really <\/span>special <\/span>this <\/span>year. <\/span>So <\/span>I’m <\/span>grateful <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span>part <\/span>of <\/span>this <\/span>group.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Boyd\u2019s <\/span>journey <\/span>has <\/span>been <\/span>defined <\/span>by <\/span>perseverance. <\/span>Coming <\/span>back <\/span>from <\/span>an <\/span>injury <\/span>and <\/span>proving <\/span>himself <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs\u2019 <\/span>most <\/span>dependable <\/span>pitcher <\/span>was <\/span>no <\/span>small <\/span>feat. <\/span>His <\/span>story <\/span>is <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>resilience, <\/span>showing <\/span>how <\/span>dedication <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>game <\/span>can <\/span>propel <\/span>a <\/span>player <\/span>to <\/span>achieve <\/span>their <\/span>goals, <\/span>even <\/span>when <\/span>facing <\/span>adversity. <\/span>The <\/span>Cubs’ <\/span>decision <\/span>to <\/span>give <\/span>Boyd <\/span>the <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>nod <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>testament <\/span>to <\/span>his <\/span>commitment <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>trust <\/span>the <\/span>team <\/span>has <\/span>in <\/span>his <\/span>ability <\/span>to <\/span>lead <\/span>the <\/span>pitching <\/span>staff.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boyd’s <\/span>time <\/span>with <\/span>Team <\/span>USA, <\/span>though <\/span>short-<\/span>lived <\/span>in <\/span>terms <\/span>of <\/span>actual <\/span>playing <\/span>time, <\/span>was <\/span>a <\/span>significant <\/span>experience <\/span>for <\/span>him. <\/span>He <\/span>had <\/span>the <\/span>chance <\/span>to <\/span>represent <\/span>his <\/span>country <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>international <\/span>stage <\/span>and <\/span>be <\/span>part <\/span>of <\/span>a <\/span>talented <\/span>roster <\/span>that <\/span>included <\/span>some <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>best <\/span>pitchers <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>world. <\/span>However, <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>competition <\/span>intensifying <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>WBC <\/span>and <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>innings <\/span>being <\/span>limited, <\/span>the <\/span>decision <\/span>to <\/span>return <\/span>to <\/span>Arizona <\/span>was <\/span>one <\/span>he <\/span>made <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>clear <\/span>understanding <\/span>of <\/span>what <\/span>was <\/span>best <\/span>for <\/span>his <\/span>future <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs.<\/span><\/p>\n

“<\/span>It <\/span>was <\/span>more <\/span>just <\/span>kind <\/span>of <\/span>like <\/span>just <\/span>waiting <\/span>to <\/span>see <\/span>what <\/span>was <\/span>wanted <\/span>of <\/span>me <\/span>after <\/span>that,” <\/span>Boyd <\/span>reflected <\/span>on <\/span>his <\/span>time <\/span>with <\/span>Team <\/span>USA. “<\/span>It <\/span>just <\/span>came <\/span>down <\/span>to <\/span>there <\/span>wasn’t <\/span>going <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span>a <\/span>lot <\/span>of <\/span>innings <\/span>left.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite <\/span>his <\/span>brief <\/span>time <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>WBC, <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>experience <\/span>was <\/span>invaluable. <\/span>Being <\/span>part <\/span>of <\/span>Team <\/span>USA <\/span>was <\/span>an <\/span>honor, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>camaraderie <\/span>and <\/span>competition <\/span>he <\/span>experienced <\/span>will <\/span>only <\/span>make <\/span>him <\/span>a <\/span>better <\/span>pitcher <\/span>when <\/span>he <\/span>takes <\/span>the <\/span>mound <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs. <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>commitment <\/span>to <\/span>returning <\/span>to <\/span>Arizona <\/span>shows <\/span>just <\/span>how <\/span>much <\/span>he <\/span>values <\/span>his <\/span>role <\/span>with <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs <\/span>and <\/span>how <\/span>determined <\/span>he <\/span>is <\/span>to <\/span>contribute <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>team\u2019s <\/span>success <\/span>in <\/span>2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

As <\/span>Boyd <\/span>prepares <\/span>for <\/span>his <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>start, <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs <\/span>are <\/span>hoping <\/span>that <\/span>his <\/span>continued <\/span>growth <\/span>as <\/span>a <\/span>pitcher, <\/span>combined <\/span>with <\/span>his <\/span>leadership <\/span>and <\/span>experience, <\/span>will <\/span>help <\/span>set <\/span>the <\/span>tone <\/span>for <\/span>what <\/span>promises <\/span>to <\/span>be <\/span>an <\/span>exciting <\/span>season. <\/span>The <\/span>Cubs <\/span>have <\/span>a <\/span>lot <\/span>to <\/span>look <\/span>forward <\/span>to <\/span>in <\/span>2026, <\/span>and <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>presence <\/span>at <\/span>the <\/span>top <\/span>of <\/span>their <\/span>rotation <\/span>will <\/span>be <\/span>key <\/span>to <\/span>their <\/span>chances <\/span>of <\/span>success.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>the <\/span>coming <\/span>weeks, <\/span>Boyd <\/span>will <\/span>continue <\/span>to <\/span>build <\/span>up <\/span>his <\/span>arm <\/span>strength <\/span>and <\/span>get <\/span>himself <\/span>fully <\/span>prepared <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>challenges <\/span>that <\/span>lie <\/span>ahead. <\/span>With <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs\u2019 <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>matchup <\/span>against <\/span>the <\/span>Nationals <\/span>fast <\/span>approaching, <\/span>all <\/span>eyes <\/span>will <\/span>be <\/span>on <\/span>Boyd <\/span>as <\/span>he <\/span>takes <\/span>the <\/span>mound <\/span>and <\/span>looks <\/span>to <\/span>start <\/span>the <\/span>season <\/span>on <\/span>a <\/span>high <\/span>note.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>decision <\/span>to <\/span>name <\/span>Boyd <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>starter <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>significant <\/span>one <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs, <\/span>and <\/span>it <\/span>sends <\/span>a <\/span>message <\/span>that <\/span>the <\/span>team <\/span>is <\/span>confident <\/span>in <\/span>his <\/span>ability <\/span>to <\/span>lead <\/span>the <\/span>pitching <\/span>staff <\/span>in <\/span>2026. <\/span>Boyd <\/span>has <\/span>earned <\/span>this <\/span>opportunity <\/span>through <\/span>his <\/span>hard <\/span>work <\/span>and <\/span>dedication, <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs <\/span>are <\/span>hoping <\/span>that <\/span>his <\/span>success <\/span>last <\/span>season <\/span>was <\/span>just <\/span>the <\/span>beginning <\/span>of <\/span>what <\/span>could <\/span>be <\/span>a <\/span>standout <\/span>year.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>a <\/span>season <\/span>where <\/span>expectations <\/span>are <\/span>high <\/span>and <\/span>the <\/span>competition <\/span>will <\/span>be <\/span>fierce, <\/span>Boyd\u2019s <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day <\/span>start <\/span>is <\/span>a <\/span>crucial <\/span>moment <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs. <\/span>It <\/span>sets <\/span>the <\/span>tone <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>rest <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>year <\/span>and <\/span>gives <\/span>the <\/span>team <\/span>a <\/span>strong <\/span>foundation <\/span>from <\/span>which <\/span>to <\/span>build. <\/span>With <\/span>Boyd <\/span>on <\/span>the <\/span>mound, <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs <\/span>will <\/span>be <\/span>ready <\/span>to <\/span>take <\/span>on <\/span>whatever <\/span>challenges <\/span>come <\/span>their <\/span>way, <\/span>and <\/span>fans <\/span>can <\/span>expect <\/span>a <\/span>thrilling <\/span>ride <\/span>as <\/span>the <\/span>2026 <\/span>season <\/span>unfolds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

As <\/span>for <\/span>Boyd, <\/span>this <\/span>moment <\/span>is <\/span>the <\/span>culmination <\/span>of <\/span>years <\/span>of <\/span>hard <\/span>work <\/span>and <\/span>perseverance. <\/span>It\u2019s <\/span>a <\/span>testament <\/span>to <\/span>his <\/span>resilience, <\/span>his <\/span>dedication, <\/span>and <\/span>his <\/span>love <\/span>for <\/span>the <\/span>game. <\/span>Now, <\/span>as <\/span>he <\/span>prepares <\/span>to <\/span>take <\/span>the <\/span>ball <\/span>on <\/span>Opening <\/span>Day, <\/span>Boyd <\/span>has <\/span>the <\/span>chance <\/span>to <\/span>prove <\/span>once <\/span>again <\/span>that <\/span>he <\/span>is <\/span>one <\/span>of <\/span>the <\/span>best <\/span>in <\/span>the <\/span>game. <\/span>And <\/span>with <\/span>a <\/span>chance <\/span>to <\/span>lead <\/span>the <\/span>Cubs <\/span>to <\/span>something <\/span>special <\/span>in <\/span>2026, <\/span>Boyd <\/span>is <\/span>ready <\/span>to <\/span>rise <\/span>to <\/span>the <\/span>occasion <\/span>and <\/span>show <\/span>the <\/span>world <\/span>what <\/span>he\u2019s <\/span>made <\/span>of.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cubs Select Matthew Boyd to Start Opening Day Against Nationals: The Inside Story In a move that has Cubs fans buzzing with excitement, manager Craig Counsell announced… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":163404,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-163398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Cubs make a bold move by selecting Matthew Boyd to start Opening Day against the Nationals! Fans are buzzing \u2014 is this the spark the Cubs need to kick off their season strong, or will the pressure get to Boyd? The stage is set for a thrilling start! \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=163398\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Cubs make a bold move by selecting Matthew Boyd to start Opening Day against the Nationals! Fans are buzzing \u2014 is this the spark the Cubs need to kick off their season strong, or will the pressure get to Boyd? 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