Matthew Boyd's Biceps Finally Healthy, but His Control Is Still a Mess: Cubs Ready to Bury D-backs

The Chicago Cubs are sitting at 13-5 at home this season and they want to make it 11 straight wins at Wrigley on Sunday. That's the kind of dominance you build a championship run on, and they're bringing Matthew Boyd to the mound against Arizona's Merrill Kelly in what amounts to a matchup of two injured pitchers trying to find themselves.

Here's the thing about Boyd though: he's been a disaster since coming back from that left biceps strain. Yeah, he was sharp enough to strike out 10 against the Angels on April 1, but then the arm discomfort hit and the Cubs got cautious. Smart move in hindsight. He returned April 22 and has made two starts since, and in both of them he couldn't even get through five innings. Seven runs on 13 hits in 8 2/3 innings combined. That's not rotation stalwart stuff, that's getting shelled.

Boyd's Own Worst Enemy Right Now

The worst part? Boyd is beating himself. In the Cubs' 9-7 loss at San Diego on Monday, he challenged a ball call on the fourth pitch of the first inning, a 2-1 fastball to Ramon Laureano. He was wrong. Dead wrong. The Padres then used two walks and three hits to load up three runs that inning, and Boyd knows it was on him. "It's putting our hitters and our team in a hole when you do something like that in that situation, so early in the game," he said. "It was not a smart move on my part. I regretted it. I'll do my best to not make that mistake again." The Cubs rallied to grab a 5-3 lead through two, but couldn't hold it.

Kelly Is Lost in the Woods Too

Kelly isn't any better. He missed time with intercostal nerve irritation and came back April 14, but his control has been nonexistent. He's given up 13 runs on 16 hits in his last two starts while walking eight guys. That 2.25 WHIP? That'll tank your season fast. After walking five in a 13-2 loss at Milwaukee on Tuesday, Kelly basically admitted he has no answers yet. "I think every comeback is different," he said. "The answer for me right now is 'yes.' I have to stop putting myself in bad situations."

The Cubs are winners of 14 of their last 17 games overall. Sunday's a chance to prove that home dominance is real and extend this streak to 11. If Boyd can finally look like the Opening Day pitcher he was supposed to be, and Kelly keeps struggling, Chicago walks out of this one with a sweep.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.