Left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd has been selected to his first All-Star Game, following a brilliant first half with the Chicago Cubs. The 34-year-old made his MLB debut back in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays before he was traded to the Detroit Tigers, where Boyd became established in the big leagues. Now, Boyd is having the best year of his career and the veteran starter is making Jed Hoyer look like a genius following the under the radar signing in free agency.
Boyd was returning from Tommy John surgery in 2024, and he made a total of eight starts with the Cleveland Guardians in the regular season before pitching 11.2 innings in three playoff appearances. In all, the lefty tossed 51.1 innings in 2025, and the Cubs jumped at the opportunity of signing Boyd early on in free agency.
That decision was bemoaned by many Cubs fans, who saw little potential in Boyd, who had not pitched more than 100 innings in a season since 2019. Overall, Boyd had recorded a career 4.85 ERA in 182 total MLB games that included 162 starts.
Now, entering the final week before the All-Star break Boyd has a 2.52 ERA in 18 starts and has been the best pitcher in the starting rotation from day one of the 2025 season for the Cubs. The lefty has the third-best earned run average in the National League, trailing only Zack Wheeler and Paul Skenes.
Yup, this is no token All-Star Game nomination. Boyd earned it 100%.
Boyd shut down the St. Louis Cardinals this past Sunday, throwing five scoreless innings. He only gave up three hits, walked a batter and struck out nine, leading to an 11-0 victory. The Cubs' lefty has now surrendered fewer than three earned runs in eight consecutive starts, dating back to May 28, against the Colorado Rockies.
Boyd has been even better at Wrigley Field in 2025, posting a 2.21 ERA in 53 innings of work.
Fans always want to talk about consistency and there's no better example of it on the mound this year for the Cubs than Boyd. He's only given up more than three earned runs once in his 18 starts so far this season and that was exactly four runs against the Cincinnati Reds on May 23.
Following Sunday's five shutout innings, Boyd's 2.52 ERA ranks ninth best among all qualified MLB pitchers. Pretty good value on a two-year contract worth $29 million.
