Cubs Name Matthew Boyd Opening Day Starter

Craig Counsell has named Matthew Boyd as his Opening Day starter for the 2026 season. The Cubs will face the Nationals at Wrigley Field on March 26, with Cade Cavalli set to take the mound for Washington.

Matt Boyd is your Opening Day starter. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/qqEE49RZvx

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 12, 2026

Boyd joined the Cubs last season, making the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. He had a 3.21 ERA and 3.4 fWAR, both the best marks he has ever posted.

One of the most impressive aspects of his 2025 campaign was Boyd’s health. He had struggled to stay on the field in past years, throwing just 201.5 innings between 2021 and 2024. During his first year with the Cubs, the southpaw logged 179.2 innings throughout the regular season.

Speaking of workload, Boyd has been part of Team USA this spring. He threw 2.2 innings against the San Francisco Giants in an exhibition game, followed by 2.1 innings against Team Mexico. Mexico scored three runs off Boyd, two of them coming on solo home runs by Jarren Duran.

After just one appearance in the actual tournament, Boyd is headed back to Mesa for Cubs camp. This will allow him to continue managing his workload as Opening Day nears.

Matthew Boyd is expected to return to Cubs camp to be stretched out as starter for season since he wouldn’t get enough innings as a Team USA reliever. Clay Holmes is in a similar spot and may go back to Mets camp. Twins ace Joe Ryan is a candidate to take one USA roster spot.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 12, 2026