Fews days ago, Matthew Boyd couldn’t escape the first inning. On Thursday night, he couldn’t be stopped.
In one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the postseason, the left-hander delivered a brilliant 4 2/3–inning gem to propel the Chicago Cubs past the Milwaukee Brewers, 6–0, in Game 4 of the NLDS, forcing a decisive Game 5 in Milwaukee.
“The pressure was on, but I rose to the occasion,” Boyd said postgame. “I just focused on attacking the strike zone and trusting my stuff.”
Boyd struck out six batters, scattered five hits, and allowed no runs in what may go down as one of the gutsiest performances in Cubs playoff history.
⚾ From Nightmare to Masterclass
After his rough Game 1 outing — where he failed to record more than two outs — Boyd entered Thursday’s game with everything to prove. The Cubs, facing elimination, needed poise and execution. Boyd gave them both.
He opened the first inning with fire, striking out Jackson Chourio on a perfectly placed fastball and feeding off the roaring Wrigley Field crowd. His command was crisp, his tempo unshakable, and his confidence palpable.
“Matthew Boyd gave us exactly what we needed tonight,” said manager Craig Counsell. “After his tough Game 1, the pressure was on, but he rose to the occasion. He attacked the strike zone with confidence and showed true resilience. It was a statement performance.”
🔥 The Offense Answers the Call
Chicago’s bats, quiet through much of the early innings, came alive late to support Boyd’s brilliance. Zack Bolduc, Oliver Kapanen, and Juraj Slafkovsky all delivered clutch hits as the Cubs exploded for six runs, turning a tense pitcher’s duel into a runaway victory.
The combination of sharp pitching and timely offense swung momentum firmly back to the Cubs’ side heading into the winner-take-all Game 5.
🧢 Wrigley Field Roars Back
From the moment Boyd walked off the mound in the fifth, Wrigley Field was electric — fans on their feet, chanting his name. For a player once doubted after Game 1’s collapse, the redemption arc was complete.
“He looked like a man on a mission,” one Cubs coach said. “He wasn’t pitching scared — he was pitching like he had something to prove. And he did.”
The Cubs now head to Milwaukee with new life, their confidence restored, and their ace-level composure rediscovered.
Boyd’s performance wasn’t just about numbers — it was about heart, resilience, and the kind of redemption that October baseball was made for.
Final Line: Matthew Boyd: 4.2 IP | 5 H | 0 R | 6 K | 0 BB
