Matthew Boyd has been an absolute revelation since coming back from the IL, and if you haven't been paying attention, you need to be. In his last start, which kicked off this very road trip in Baltimore, he was lights out, throwing six shutout innings and punching out seven batters. That's a serious statement. Across his three starts since returning from the injured list, the guy boasts a ridiculous 1.72 ERA with a 1.340 WHIP and 13 strikeouts over 15.2 innings. Talk about a comeback! He's got a chance to bookend this road trip with another gem today against the Reds, a team he hasn't even faced this season. Historically, current Reds hitters are not exactly tearing it up against Boyd, batting a collective .189 in 53 at-bats with no home runs and 20 strikeouts. That's a serious edge, right there.
Cubs' Road Woes and the Pressure Cooker of a Rubber Match
This isn't just another game for the Cubs, it's a statement game, and honestly, it feels like they desperately need to make one. This is the 14th time in their 30 series this year that they've split the first two games. That's nearly half their series! When they've gotten to a third game, they're sitting at 6-7 overall, and a not-so-great 4-5 on the road. What's even wilder is their overall Sunday road record: a dismal 2-6. That's their second-worst road record on any day, only outdone by an even more baffling 0-4 on Mondays. You gotta ask, what's up with their Sunday focus on the road? Plus, these guys are 5-10 in day games after night games, and while they're slightly better at 4-5 in those scenarios on the road, it's still not a winning record. This team has to find a way to flip the script and show up, especially in these high-leverage third games.Abbott Stands Tall as Swanson Looks to Deliver
Across the diamond, Andrew Abbott is having another rock-solid year for the Reds. He last faced the Cubs back on May 5 at Wrigley Field, where he put up 5.2 shutout innings, even though he did allow four hits and four walks. The Cubs managed to snag that game in 10 innings, so they know he's beatable. Current Cubs hitters are batting .189 against Abbott in 106 at-bats, which is the same average Reds hitters have against Boyd. But here's the kicker: Dansby Swanson absolutely owns Abbott. He's got a .353 average against him, going 6-for-17 with two doubles, two home runs, and four walks. If anyone's going to spark the offense against Abbott, it's got to be Swanson. This is the last one in Cincinnati before the All-Star break, and you know both teams want to go into that break feeling good. Can Matthew Boyd continue his incredible return and bookend the road trip with a dominant performance? Or will Andrew Abbott shut down the Cubs, who are desperately trying to overcome their Sunday road struggles? You can catch the game live on Marquee Sports Network. Let's see if the Cubs can finally avoid another series split!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.