Boyd to Start Game 1 of NLDS: Cubs vs. Brewers, Rivalry Showdown

Matthew Boyd to Open Game 1 for the Cubs against the Brewers

The Chicago Cubs have announced that left-hander Matthew Boyd will be the starting pitcher for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game will take place on Saturday, just four days after Boyd started the first game of the wild card series against the San Diego Padres, according to reports. Boyd, 34, threw 58 pitches in 4⅓ innings in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory. He was also in the bullpen in the ninth inning of Game 3 against the Padres on Thursday, but did not enter the game, as right-hander Andrew Kittredge was able to close out the game and the series. In his career, Boyd has a 1-2 record with a 4.70 ERA in three starts with three days of rest. Boyd’s opponent will be Brewers ace Freddy Peralta in a matchup between two division rivals looking to advance to the National League Championship Series.

The proximity of the cities makes it fun, no doubt. And that proximity also generates rivalries, and that the teams are good also generates rivalries.

Craig Counsell, Manager of the Cubs

The Cubs manager, Craig Counsell, who was the Brewers manager for nine seasons until 2023, returns to Milwaukee for this matchup. Counsell signed a five-year, $40 million contract to manage the Cubs before 2024, allowing Pat Murphy to take over in Milwaukee. The Brewers have won two consecutive division titles under Murphy, while the Cubs struggled in Counsell’s first year before reaching the postseason as the top wild card team this year. Counsell has been booed by Brewers fans every time the Cubs have played in Milwaukee in the last two years. Saturday is expected to be no different.

After all those years here and when you come back, that’s what you get. But it is what it is. It’s part of the game. It’s the feeling the fans have. It will probably happen again tomorrow (Saturday), probably stronger than normal.

Freddy Peralta, Brewers Pitcher

The Cubs won the season series 7-6, but lost the division to the Brewers by five games. Last year, Milwaukee won the National League Central Division by 10 games.

They are two passionate fan bases that know each other quite well over the years, and we’ve had some great games between us. It’s surprising that we haven’t really met in the postseason before, but somehow I felt this would be set up this way at some point this season.

Christian Yelich, Brewers Star

Yelich added that he anticipates an exciting week with a great atmosphere in both Milwaukee and Chicago.