Cubs' Matthew Boyd Secures 13th Win, Leads Pickoff League

Matthew Boyd secured his 13th win in the Chicago Cubs' 6-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, despite allowing four runs over five innings. While Boyd's ERA has risen to 3.05 after a recent slump, he remains among the top NL starters with a career-best season marked by a 13-8 record and 146 strikeouts. A key aspect of Boyd's impact this season has been his exceptional pickoff ability, setting a franchise record with 11 pickoffs and contributing nearly four extra outs to the Cubs. This skill has been praised by Cubs manager Craig Counsell and teammates, highlighting Boyd's influence beyond just pitching. The Cubs are cautiously managing Boyd's workload as they approach the playoffs, with his postseason experience and consistent performance seen as valuable assets. Overall, Boyd has been a major contributor to the Cubs' push toward securing a wild-card spot and playoff success.