One of Cubs’ Shortest Postseason Starts: Matthew Boyd vs Brewers

The Chicago Cubs took a gamble in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers. They started veteran lefty Matthew Boyd on short rest—and honestly, it backfired fast.

Manager Craig Counsell hoped Boyd’s strong regular season and recent playoff outings would hold up. Instead, things unraveled almost immediately, and the Cubs fell behind early with no way to claw back.

A Nightmare First Inning for Chicago

It actually started with a jolt of excitement. Cubs slugger Michael Busch smashed a leadoff home run, and Wrigley Field erupted. Chicago had a quick 1-0 lead.

But Milwaukee didn’t blink. Their response was brutal.

Brewers’ bats come alive

Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, and William Contreras ripped three straight doubles, flipping the score to 2-1 before Boyd could even settle in. Then Nico Hoerner’s error cracked the door wide open, and the Brewers pounced.

Blake Perkins and Chourio both knocked in runs, and suddenly it was 6-1. Boyd’s night went from hopeful to disastrous in no time.

The Shortest Cubs Postseason Start in Nearly 90 Years

Boyd’s stat line? Four hits, one walk, six runs—only two earned—in just two-thirds of an inning. That’s the shortest Cubs postseason start since 1935. He didn’t even finish the first inning.

Mike Soroka hustled in from the bullpen to try and stop the bleeding.

Craig Counsell stands by his choice

Fans and media weren’t happy, but Counsell stuck to his guns. He said starting Boyd was a calculated risk. Boyd had only thrown a limited number of pitches in his last outing—Game 1 of the Wild Card round against the Padres—allowing just one run over 4⅔ innings.

So Counsell thought Boyd could handle the quick turnaround. Maybe that was a stretch, but he felt confident in the call.

The Regular Season Resumé That Built the Case

Boyd had been one of the Cubs’ steadiest arms all year. From April through September, he posted a 3.21 ERA, picked up his first All-Star nod, and logged a 2.6 WAR.

His consistency made it tempting to lean on him, even when the schedule got weird in October.

When strategy meets reality

Postseason baseball pushes teams to make gutsy calls. Starting pitchers on short rest isn’t new—it’s produced legends and heartbreak alike.

This time, Counsell’s bet on Boyd’s experience just couldn’t withstand a Brewers lineup that came out swinging hard in Game 1.

Key Takeaways from Game 1

The Cubs’ Game 1 loss didn’t just hinge on Boyd’s rough outing. Milwaukee’s offense was relentless, and Chicago’s defense faltered at the worst times.

Sometimes, a playoff game flips on a single error or a couple of big swings. That’s what happened here, plain and simple.

• Defensive lapses hurt: Nico Hoerner’s first-inning error stretched out the rally and forced Boyd to throw more pitches than planned.
• Brewers capitalized fast: Three doubles in a row set the tone, and Chicago never really answered.
• Short rest pitfalls: Even veteran arms can falter when the playoff schedule gets tight.

Looking Ahead in the Series

The Cubs now have to shake off the sting of a historically short start. They’ll need to regroup fast if they want their October run to last.

Momentum swings fast in the playoffs. Counsell’s crew has no choice but to move on and hope for a bounce-back.

The need for a rebound

Game 2 is absolutely critical. A win would erase much of the sting from Game 1.

But if they lose again, Chicago’s suddenly in a dangerous spot. The Brewers already showed they can punish mistakes.

Now, the Cubs’ rotation depth and bullpen endurance are under the microscope. It’s not a comfortable place to be.

Matthew Boyd’s shaky start will stick in team history. It’s a reminder of the risks that come with postseason management.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Cubs’ Matthew Boyd turns in one of shortest MLB postseason starts in franchise history vs. Brewers