Matthew Boyd’s Unbelievable Game: How He Nearly Shattered Baseball Perfection Against the Cubs

The Cubs fell just short against the Angels in Tempe on Thursday, losing a tight 5-4 contest. But honestly, the spotlight wasn’t on the scoreboard—it was shining brightly on Cubs’ lefty Matthew Boyd. Earlier this week, Boyd stumbled in his spring debut, giving up five hits in under two frames. Yet, Thursday’s outing told a very different story. Boyd was undeniably locked in, slicing through the Angels’ lineup with surgical precision — striking out three across a crisp 34-pitch stint that featured 23 strikes. Among those rattled was none other than Mike Trout, who Boyd dispatched with style and finesse. It felt like a recalibration, a sign that Boyd’s gear is shifting into high mode just in time for his expected departure to Team USA and the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The Cubs grabbed early momentum, thanks to some timely doubles by Jefferson Rojas and Dylan Carlson, though the Angels ultimately rallied to claim the lead. Jaxon Wiggins, meanwhile, ran into some trouble, bearing the brunt of the Angels’ surge in a tough first outing. Despite the loss, there were flashes of promise — particularly from youngsters like Carlson and McCormick — and some hopeful signs as the roster juggles ahead of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s imminent WBC participation. Now, eyes turn to Friday’s rematch with the Cleveland Guardians at Sloan Park, where Edward Cabrera will hope to build on what he’s shown so far. It’s the kind of spring scene that suggests this Cubs team, while still rough around the edges, is brimming with potential and intrigue. LEARN MORE