Cubs’ Matthew Boyd Faces Historic Meltdown Against Brewers in NLDS Game 1
Matthew Boyd, a reliable presence for the Chicago Cubs throughout the season, faced an unexpected and disheartening start in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The left-hander’s outing was anything but memorable, as he failed to escape the first inning, leading to a significant setback for the Cubs.
A Disastrous First Inning
Boyd was handed the ball with hopes of setting the tone for the postseason, but the Brewers quickly disrupted those plans. After the Cubs initially took a 1-0 lead courtesy of a solo home run from first baseman Michael Busch, the game turned dramatically against Boyd. He allowed four hits and six runs—though only two were officially deemed earned—while walking one and striking out another. His efficiency was lacking, throwing 30 pitches with just 21 finding the strike zone before the Cubs made the decision to pull him for Michael Soroka.
The turning point came when Sal Frelick hit a ground ball to Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner. In a critical moment, Hoerner misplayed the ball, allowing a run to cross the plate. The official scorer ruled that the four runs that followed were unearned, a technicality that may provide little solace for Boyd and the Cubs.
Historic Infamy
This outing was not just disappointing; it etched Boyd’s name alongside some of the most infamous moments in Cubs postseason history. According to CBS Sports, Boyd’s 0.2 innings pitched marked the fourth-shortest start in franchise playoff lore, and the shortest since 1935. That year, Charlie Root infamously failed to record an out against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, surrendering four runs before being yanked from the contest. Boyd now shares this dubious honor with Hank Borowy, who also failed to get an out in the 1945 World Series against the same opponent, allowing three runs before his exit.
The only pitcher to have a shorter outing than Boyd in postseason play is Guy Bush, who managed to record just one out while allowing a run during the 1932 World Series against the New York Yankees.
Looking Ahead
The Cubs now face the daunting task of regrouping ahead of Game 2, which takes place on Monday. With a series lead for the Brewers, the pressure mounts for the Cubs to bounce back and demonstrate the resilience they have shown throughout the regular season. As they prepare for the next game, the focus will be on not only correcting their mistakes but also on supporting their pitchers to avoid a repeat of such a historic meltdown.
