{"id":659348,"date":"2026-04-02T18:59:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/659348\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T18:59:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:59:16","slug":"cubs-ace-matthew-boyd-ranks-no-2-in-key-mlb-stat-to-start-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/659348\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs Ace Matthew Boyd Ranks No. 2 in Key MLB Stat to Start 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Matthew Boyd didn\u2019t look his best on the mound on Opening Day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The starting left-hander was replaced by Ben Brown after just 3.2 innings, having allowed six earned runs, five hits, and a home run. The Nationals went on to beat the Cubs, 10-4.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One bright spot from the less-than-stellar outing? Boyd posted seven strikeouts and walked only one batter during the three and one-third innings he was on the mound.<\/p>\n

Despite the outcome of Opening Day, Boyd\u2019s command of the strike zone is clearly improving.<\/p>\n

Boyd has second-highest strikeout rate in MLB to start 2026<\/p>\n

Following his second start of the season on Wednesday, Boyd\u2019s 45.9% strikeout rate is second-best among qualified pitchers. In each of his starts thus far, he\u2019s recorded 20 swing-and-miss pitches.<\/p>\n

Matthew Boyd has induced 40 whiffs through his first two starts of 2026, posting a 45.9% K rate that ranks 2nd among qualified pitchers.<\/p>\n

Here are all 20 from yesterday. pic.twitter.com\/GI7MhH4Z18<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Carson Wolf (@TheWrigleyWire) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Boyd helped lead the Cubs past the Angels for a 6-2 victory on Wednesday, recording 10 strikeouts over five and two-thirds innings, just three shy of his career high. During his stint in Detroit, the left-hander struck out 13 White Sox batters on July 4, 2019.<\/p>\n

The cold never bothered him anyway<\/p>\n

Temperatures at Wrigley Field Wednesday were around 49 degrees, with 22 mph winds blowing in from left field.<\/p>\n

Boyd took the mound in the Cubs\u2019 usual short-sleeve uniforms, but notably without any baselayer or undershirt, shocking some of his teammates.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Apr 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) delivers during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Wrigley Field. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a little like, \u2018what are we doing here?\u2019\u201d Carson Kelly said postgame, when commenting on Boyd\u2019s lack of sleeves. \u201cI know he’s from the Northwest, and he’s pitched in some cold, but yeah, I mean, seemed to work for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The catcher said temperatures may have to be in the negatives before Boyd will wear sleeves.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe might not even do it then,\u201d Kelly joked.<\/p>\n

Carson Kelly was shocked to see Matthew Boyd out on the mound with no sleeves today \ud83d\ude02 pic.twitter.com\/OmnnCQ905J<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Boyd, who grew up in Washington state and attended Oregon State University, is certainly no stranger to inclement weather.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Learning, adapting, moving forward<\/p>\n

But for the left-hander, it\u2019s more than being used to the cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mindset doesn\u2019t change,\u201d Boyd said<\/a>. \u201cThe geography, the weather, time of day, the team \u2013 it can\u2019t change what you expect of yourself when you go out there. So you just deal with it. Whatever it is, you deal with it as it comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

And deal with it he did.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Part of his focus Wednesday was improving on his first start of the season.<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

Mar 26, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd (16) throws against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Wrigley Field. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Opening Day start, I just needed to make an adjustment faster,\u201d Boyd said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t able to do that. You learn from it, you go on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cubs manager Craig Counsell was pleased with Boyd\u2019s performance against the Angels.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust being in-zone and competitive with the changeup really set him up as he went through the lineup the second time and made him good throughout the whole start,\u201d Counsell said. \u201cHe pitched really, really well. The swing-and-miss in both starts is always encouraging. That\u2019s an important indicator that the stuff is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boyd\u2019s teammates also noticed his strong command of the zone Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was great today,\u201d second baseman Nico Hoerner said. \u201cI felt like they were constantly off-time with his combo of four-seams and changeups. Really effective, so many swings and misses, which is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n