Matthew Boyd gives up three runs versus Brewers

There’s zero doubt that Suzuki, arguably the top position player on the free agent market this offseason, will decline Chicago’s qualifying offer. Only 18 of 157 players to receive a qualifying offer have accepted it since the system was first implemented back in 2012. The 32-year-old corner outfielder slashed a robust .270/.368/.473 with 96 runs scored, 26 homers, 86 RBI and three steals across 545 plate appearances. He’s been a consistent power source for fantasy purposes, topping 20 homers in four of five seasons since signing with the Cubs back in 2022. It’s notable that Chicago declined to extend qualifying offers to both Ian Happ and Matthew Boyd.

Boyd had a $15 million mutual option for 2027 but decided to decline it in the hopes of landing a multi-year deal before a potential lockout impacts the MLB salary structure. Boyd was limited to 126 2/3 innings this season due to injury, but he registered a 3.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 18.5 percent strikeout rate. He figures to have a good deal of interest given his experience and solid production over the last three seasons. The Cubs have now seen Boyd, Clay Holmes, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, and David Peterson all become free agents, so they will need to rebuild an entire rotation.

Boyd allowed three homers, including a leadoff homer to Fernando Tatis Jr. He also gave up dingers to Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts in a shaky — at very best — outing for the 35-year-old. Boyd would likely start Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers if the Cubs advance, but they’ll need to win these next two games on the road.

With Kevin Gausman’s status a little bit up in the air, Boyd seemed like the one certainty to get a start for the Cubs in the Wild Card. He’ll be pitching on four days’ rest after limiting the Marlins to one run over seven innings last time out. He also pitched Game 1 of last year’s Wild Card against the Padres, allowing one run over 4 1/3 innings in what turned into a 3-1 win for the Cubs.

Boyd walked two batters on the day while punching out three. The lone tally against him came on an RBI single off the bat of Jakob Marsee in the third inning. Aside from that, Boyd was in complete control. The 35-year-old southpaw got nine whiffs on 90 pitches on the day, registering a CSW of 24 percent. He finishes the regular season with a 10-5 record, 3.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 96/39 K/BB ratio over 126 2/3 innings in his 22 starts.

The decision bumps Clay Holmes back to Friday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox with David Peterson expected to start the other contest. It’s a nice break for fantasy managers as Boyd draws a much easier matchup to close out the regular season.

It’s unclear how the Red Sox are going to handle the situation since they’re ostensibly locked into the second Wild Card spot heading into the playoffs next week. Patrick Sandoval was scheduled to start Sunday’s season finale and will presumably get the ball on Saturday instead, weather permitting. Jake Bennett, Payton Tolle and Brayan Bello are also in the mix to pitch as well. It’ll be Matthew Boyd and David Peterson most getting the ball for the Cubs during the twin bill with Justin Steele (elbow) in the mix to return from the injured list this weekend. There are a ton of variables that fantasy managers need to monitor with Boston facing inclement weather from roughly Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Boyd worked through four scoreless innings, then gave up a pair of runs on a walk, two hits, and an error in the fifth. Boyd would end his day after five innings at 71 pitches. He struck out four batters. The 35-year-old left-hander will take a 4.06 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 93/37 K/BB ratio across 119 2/3 innings into a start against the Red Sox in Boston on Friday.

Boyd gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out three in his fourth straight loss. He was 8-1 with a 3.50 ERA on this day a month ago. The Cubs have lost all six of his starts since, with Boyd giving up 22 earned runs over 35 innings. He’ll face the Reds next time out.

Boyd hadn’t pitched into the eighth this season, but the Cubs thought he could do it after seven innings of one-run ball today. And then he walked Garrett Mitchell and gave up a double to Joey Ortiz. Ryan Zejerjahn took over at that point and allowed both runners to score before also giving up a run of his own, putting the Cubs in a 4-2 hole. It leaves Boyd 0-3 over his last five starts, though the most recent three have been quite solid (3.44 ERA). He’ll likely face the Pirates on Sunday.