Boyd’s long road back culminates in 1st All-Star nod

CHICAGO -- Matthew Boyd has approached each day with a sense of gratitude since returning to a mound last year. The veteran repeatedly has expressed that feeling in conversations and interviews, knowing that his career was at a crossroads a year ago.

On Sunday, Boyd’s road back culminated in the first All-Star nod of his Major League career. He joined starting outfielders Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker on the National League’s roster for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard. The news arrived ahead of another strong outing from Boyd in the Cubs’ 11-0 win over the rival Cardinals at Wrigley Field.

“I’m glad there’s someone writing the script. He writes a much better script than me,” Boyd said. “It doesn’t really make a lot of sense, you know? But I just have a ton of gratitude for it.”

Boyd made a point to credit all of the Cubs catchers by name, followed by the team’s infielders and outfielders. The pitcher then mentioned members of the coaching staff, repeating that he was merely “a product of the people around me.”

“I don’t get that honor without them,” he said.

After receiving word that he made the All-Star team, Boyd quieted St. Louis’ lineup over five strong innings. Known more for his command than racking up strikeouts, the lefty collected a season-high nine punchouts while improving to 9-3. That was tied for his most in any single outing over the past six seasons.

The 34-year-old Boyd -- a veteran of 11 seasons in the big leagues -- has compiled a 2.52 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 23 walks in 103 2/3 innings for the Cubs. He has been a steadying presence for a rotation that has dealt with injury setbacks to Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon.

Boyd has fashioned a 1.49 ERA in his last eight turns for the NL Central-leading Cubs.

“Matt’s put together a wonderful first half. He’s very deserving,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “And to make this staff as one of the starters in this league, that’s not an easy thing to do. So I’m just happy for Matt.”

Fittingly, Tucker and Crow-Armstrong helped spark the Cubs’ offense in the early going on Sunday. Tucker had a two-run single, walk, stolen base and sacrifice fly by the third inning. Crow-Armstrong contributed an RBI single and stolen base in the opening frame. Chicago’s lineup had run out to a double-digit lead by the fourth.

In the fifth, Seiya Suzuki connected for a solo home run off Cardinals reliever Matt Svanson, giving the Cubs’ designated hitter 25 homers on the season (plus an MLB-leading 77 RBIs). Suzuki, Michael Busch, Carson Kelly and Nico Hoerner were among the Cubs with All-Star cases who did not make the NL roster on Sunday.

“Hopefully, in the next week or so some of those guys get in, because they deserve it,” Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said. “Look at Buschy’s numbers. Look at Seiya’s numbers. Carson Kelly is one of the best catchers in baseball right now. What Nico’s doing is special. The bullpen guys. … You look across the board, there’s a lot of guys who could be representing the Cubs.”

Boyd was signed to a two-year contract by the Cubs over the offseason after his impressive comeback campaign with Cleveland last season. The lefty was signed by the Guardians in June amid a comeback from Tommy John surgery, found his way back to the Majors by August and helped Cleveland reach the cusp of the World Series.

In eight appearances for Cleveland down the stretch, he logged a 2.72 ERA. He then made three starts in the Guardians’ postseason run to the American League Championship Series. It was a strong showing that convinced the Cubs to take a chance on the left-hander, and he has continued on the same strong path for Chicago.

“If you look at the last four years in his career,” Counsell said, “you go through these injuries and there’s always a reason to keep going. There’s always a reason to prove yourself. At this stage [of his career], to be an All-Star is a real, I think, lesson for everybody, for all of us, in why you never give an inch and you keep at it.”

The All-Star Game in Atlanta is slated for July 15 – almost a year to the day from Boyd’s first Minor League rehab outing (July 16, 2024) in his comeback last year. The pitcher was asked whether he made plans for the season’s intermission or whether he kept things open just in case being an All-Star was possible.

“You always have an extra spot at the table just in case destiny knocks, you know?” Boyd said.