The Cubs are red-hot, winning seven straight games, even with double-digit pitchers from the 40-man roster currently on the injured list. The club will get a big boost Wednesday as it seeks its longest winning streak since 2023.
Left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd is set to be activated from the 15-day IL (left biceps strain) to start against the Phillies at 7:40 p.m. ET. Chicago’s Opening Day starter after his first All-Star selection in 2025, Boyd looked good in his lone rehab start with Triple-A Iowa last week, going 3 2/3 innings on 64 pitches.
The Cubs have not yet announced the corresponding move for Boyd’s return.
“That’s really what the important thing is -- I feel really good today,” Boyd said. “Everything feels normal for a day after pitching right now. So, I’m excited for Wednesday. We’ll just build toward that each day.”
Boyd (1-1, 6.75 ERA) made two starts with the Cubs before his time on the shelf, a shaky outing against the Nationals and a strong, 10-strikeout performance against the Angels. Colin Rea and Javier Assad had joined the rotation with Boyd and Cade Horton (Tommy John surgery) on the IL.
The Cubs have surged thanks to both dominant starting pitching and an offensive wake-up, and this is their longest win streak since July 21 through July 29 in 2023, when they won eight in a row. They won the first two of a four-game series against the Phillies this week 5-1 and 7-4, respectively.