CHICAGO — He may be the nicest, friendliest and most genuine player in baseball.
He is loved by every one of his teammates, former teammates, coaches, managers, trainers, clubhouse attendants and batboys throughout the game.
If you’re not facing him, you’re rooting for him.
Everyone always wants the best for him, celebrating his triumphs, distressed during his injuries, surgeries and setbacks.
MLB ALL-STAR GAME: Starters voted on by fans
This 34-year-old veteran starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs should be going to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.
He is Matthew Boyd.
“Really, he’s the nicest player in the game,’ Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize, Boyd’s former teammate, tells USA TODAY Sports. “Sometimes, too nice. I want to tell him, ‘It’s annoying dude. You’re too nice. Do you ever have a bad day?’ ‘
Says Cubs catcher Carson Kelly, who also is on the Mount Rushmore of the friendliest players in today’s game: “Hey, he’s much nicer than I am. It’s not even close. This guy is the same guy every day. He greets you with a smile on his face. He takes the time to actually ask questions.
“You know how you walk through the clubhouse and say, ‘Hey, how you doing, or good to see you?’ Well, he stops you and asks you that. He literally will stand in front of you, and want to talk to you and know the answer than just do the common courtesy. He’s amazing. He cares about you not just as a baseball player, but a person. He brings people together, brings the best out of everybody, and he’s always in a positive mood.’
“He was awesome, just a great veteran for myself and Tarik and the young guys when we first got into the big leagues,’ Mize says. “I mean, he really helped us. He wanted to make it as easy a transition as possible, and was just a super positive person that was really kind to us, always trying to make us better as players.’’
It was no different for the position players, too, helping them develop into stars, on and off the field.
“He’s one of best humans I’ve ever met in my life,’ Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene says. “He’s just awesome. When I came up as a young kid, he was just one of those guys who taught me how to carry myself, what to do, teach the ins-and-outs of baseball. And he was super approachable.
“It’s tough to not root for him because he’s such a great guy, and he’s fun to compete against too because he’s a great competitor.’
He is a true All-Star, and if that time comes that he is formally announced, you will hear a celebration from coast-to-coast.
Boyd is 8-3 with a 2.65 ERA and has been the most impactful pitcher on the entire Cubs staff. He has permitted two or fewer runs in seven consecutive starts with a 1.66 ERA. He is tied for the third-most victories in the league, and ranks sixth in ERA. He even leads all pitchers with eight pickoffs.
Pretty sweet for a guy who has already made more starts (17) this first half than he has in any entire season since 2019.
“He’s a guy we all root for unless he’s pitching against us that night,’ Cleveland Guardians pitching coach Carl Willis says. “We loved him here. He was a guy we will always remember for what he did for all of us.
“The way he prepared. The way he competed. The way he respected the game. He wasn’t with us long, but he left a lasting impact on all of us.’
Who else would spend just four months of last season with the Guardians, sign a two-year, $29 million contract with the Cubs, and then call manager Stephen Vogt to apologize for leaving?
“He’s one of the best human beings I’ve ever been around in my entire life,’ Vogt says. “Just a great teammate, great person, great husband, great father. We don’t talk about those things enough in our game, people enough.
“When you know somebody like Matthew Boyd, you want him to go out and be successful because of who he is as a person.’
This is a guy who could have easily forsaken the baseball gods over the years for the rash of injuries that stripped him of his greatness. There were the four consecutive injury-shortened seasons. The triceps strain and forearm strain in 2021. The flexor-tendon surgery in 2022. The Tommy John surgery in 2023. The recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2024.
The injuries prevented him from making more than 15 starts from 2019 until this year. The injuries limited him to only one winning season as a starter in his career. The injuries kept him from pitching 80 innings since 2019.
So many injuries, so many letdowns, so many frustrations, but not once did Boyd get angry at anyone, seek empathy, or feeling sorry for himself.
“All of the injuries I had, the Tommy John surgery, I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,’ says Boyd. “I was still very blessed. I look back on it now, and in 2021 we just had our twins, so I got to stay home. I got to coach my son’s first year in T-ball, and I got to help coach my daughter’s softball team. Sure, it would be nice to stay healthy, but we’re a product of our experiences.’
And never once did the injuries impact the man’s spirituality. Boyd is a deeply religious man with a wife, Ashley, and four young kids (8, 6, and 4-year-old twins), who co-founded a nonprofit organization called Kingdom Home, to help stop child sex slavery.
“I trust God and know he has good things planned for me,” he says. “Every time there have been these unknowns in my life, he has come through better than I could have imagined. That’s where my peace comes from.’
Boyd always believed one day that he would be healthy. One day he would become a front-line starter. And one day lead his team to the World Series.
Now may be that time. He has never felt better. He has never pitched better. And he has the Cubs cruising in the NL Central, residing in first place since April 4.
“The Cubs expressed a lot of interest early, and the most interest,’ Boyd said, “so we prayed, we prayed a lot for clarity. My wife and I have always prayed since we first got together, and it’s kind of cool how God comes through. This is a place where I’ve always wanted to be, and there were so many reasons for us to be here, but I didn’t know if it would ever happen.
“This franchise has got such a great history and history, and the fans are so into it, but there’s a family connection here that was important to us.’’
Boyd’s grandfather, John Boyd, who died in 2019, grew up in Chicago. His first job was a groundskeeper at the White Sox’s Comiskey Park but he was also a diehard Cubs fan.
“It’s pretty special to be here. It’s something that means a lot to me, to honor him like this,’ says Boyd, who grew up in Mercer Island, Washington, about 30 minutes outside Seattle. “Growing up, he was always talking about the Cubs, always. Like, I honestly think the happiest days of his life was when I debuted, and when the Cubs won the World Series. I remember being at my parents’ house for Game 7 watching on TV, and when they won, he called my dad and started crying.
“I always called him after my outings, too. And when we talked, sometime during the conversation I would hear about how the Cubs did that night. I’d tell him about my outing, and he’s say, ‘That’s great, but [former Cubs pitcher] Kyle Hendricks pitched great tonight, too.”
The Cubs, who lost ace Justin Steele after four starts with season-ending elbow surgery, were without All-Star Shota Imanaga for seven weeks with a left hamstring strain, and are now without starter Jameson Taillon until August with a right calf strain, can’t begin to imagine where they’d be without Boyd. They gambled in the offseason that he’d be a steady performer after watching him go 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA in his eight starts with the Guardians, and dominate in the postseason with a 0.77 ERA.
Yet, to think he could do this?
“We were very optimistic based on a very small sample, which is hard,” Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations, told reporters after Boyd’s last start. “He pitched really well, obviously pitched in the playoffs. You never know exactly. He was a little bit of an unusual background.
“He’s certainly exceeded expectations for us.”
Boyd always knew that if healthy, he could become one of the best pitchers in the league. Sure, he’s the one who put in all of the hard work, but he’ll tell you that pitching coach Tommy Hottovy deserves a lot of the credit, and credits Kelly, who he first met back at Oregon State when he hosted Kelly as a college recruit.
“I have to give a lot of credit to the pitching guys that just helped unlock me mechanically, helping me be just a little bit more athletic,’ Boyd said. “It’s amazing what a few small tweaks can kind of bring out of you. I mean, there are so many variables, and I really don’t like saying this, but after everything I’ve been through, I believe that my best is ahead of me, but if God has different plans, I know that will be great too.’
All his troubles happened for a reason, Boyd says, and now with his success, he’s glad to share his journey with anyone who will listen.
“Hey, I know things may not always go the way you wanted,’ Boyd said, “but I know that God doesn’t make mistakes. He has had me in certain places for certain reasons. I may never know the reason why, but that’s completely fine.
“I don’t write the script, but the one who is much more powerful than me, writes it a whole lot better.
“So, I can’t wait, because it’s going to be amazing.’
Around the basepaths
– While MLB teams and players are getting rich off gambling sponsorships, there’s a growing fear among team executives and players that a gambling scandal could be around the corner and ruin the integrity of the sport.
Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz is currently on leave as a result of an MLB investigation into gambling activity.
“We talk about it all of the time,’ one GM said, “and we’d be naive to think nothing is going on. It’s getting scary.’
– The Cubs’ urgency to find another starter accelerated when they placed veteran Jameson Taillon on the injured list with a calf strain, sidelining him for at least a month. They continue to pursue Pirates starter Mitch Keller, but his price tag is soaring with Keller yielding a 2.40 ERA in his last five starts, including seven scoreless innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.
– Executives wonder if the Pirates will be reluctant to trade some of their most valuable chips now that the team is performing well under interim manager Don Kelly (26-25), which would further alienate their fanbase.
– Teams are starting to closely scout Kansas City Royals starter Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.65 ERA), believing that if the Royals are out of the race, he’ll definitely be placed on the trade block. Lugo, in the middle of a three-year, $45 million contract, has an opt-out after this season that he’d likely exercise instead of returning for $15 million in 2026.
– The Yankees would love to acquire D-backs third baseman Eugenio Suarez at the deadline and slide Jazz Chisholm back to second base. The Yankees, along with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs, have also expressed interest in Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes.
– The Mets, who had a surplus of pitchers just three weeks ago, now have placed six pitchers on the IL – three starters and three relievers – since June 13. They are 5-14 in that stretch and are canvassing the market for starters and relievers.
– While July 1 is famously known as Bobby Bonilla Day, with the former Mets slugger collecting $1.19 million every July 1 until 2035, this is a holiday that others now share:
Chris Davis, who hasn’t played for the Orioles in five years, just picked up $9.16 million on July 1 as part of his deferred contract. He’ll be paid at least $1.4 million through 2037.
Also being paid July 1:
Max Scherzer, $15 million, Washington Nationals.
Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox, $2.04 million.
Matt Holliday, $1.4 million, St. Louis Cardinals.
Bret Saberhagen, $250,000, Mets.
Of course, beginning in 2034, it will become Shohei Ohtani Day.
He is owed $68 million a year from 2034-2043 after deferring all but $2 million of his annual $70 million contract.
– There will be a new Home Run Derby champion with Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Herandez saying he will not return to defend his title, making sure he stays healthy for the rest of the season.
“I wasn’t tired at the end or the next day,’ Hernandez told the Orange County Register, “but I was really sore. I think if your body is not ready, 100%, it can cost you an injury. So, I don’t want to risk it. I’d rather be healthy and be playing the regular season.
“Good luck to the ones who are going to participate.”
– Atlanta has zero interest in trading Ronald Acuña Jr.
Acuña is earning $17 million a year through 2026, and Atlanta has club options for $17 million in 2027 and 2028.
He’s not going anywhere.
– The Toronto Blue Jays, who have won the AL East just once since 1993, have the entire country of Canada in a frenzy after finishing off a four-game sweep of the Yankees for the first time in franchise history, and moving into first place.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins also boldly stated that the Blue Jays will be ultra-aggressive at the trade deadline, seeking a starter and a catcher.
– While the Phillies are looking at relievers David Bednar and Dennis Santana of the Pittsburgh Pirates, they badly need a right-handed hitting outfielder at the trade deadline. Their left fielders are hitting .178 with a .278 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers this year with their center fielders hitting .235 with a .309 slugging percentage.
The decision to sign free agent outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year, $10 million contract has backfired.
– The Red Sox haven’t been the same since trading away Rafael Devers, 8-9 entering Saturday, but the Giants have been much worse since acquiring him, going 6-12.
Devers is hitting just .215 with a .676 OPS, striking out 26 times in 65 at-bats since joining the Giants.
– The Cleveland Guardians are expected to unload first baseman Carlos Santana, who could be a nice fit for the Boston Red Sox, while also potentially moving outfielder Lane Thomas and perhaps closer Emmanuel Clase.
Clase should bring in a haul of prospects if the Guardians move him. He is under team control through 2028, owed $6.4 million in 2026 with $10 million club options in 2027 and 2028.
– Pretty impressive that the Houston Astros are running away with the AL West, winning 27 of their last 37 games, despite All-Star slugger Yordan Alvarez playing just 29 games. Just imagine how powerful their lineup will be when he returns, perhaps in early August.
– The Padres are spreading the word to every seller that they are searching for a right-handed hitting outfielder and a catcher, and aren’t afraid to deal their prospects. They still believe they have the team to end their World Series drought, particularly with Yu Darvish’s imminent return and potentially Michael King’s shortly after the All-Star break.
Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran still makes the most sense for the Padres.
– Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte has been overwhelmed by the love D-backs fans showed him after a fan incident in Chicago left him in tears, and was voted as the NL’s starting second baseman.
“What Arizona does for me and my family,’ Marte said, “I’m so grateful. I’m not maybe, from the Dominican anymore. I’m from Arizona now.’
– Atlanta’s starting rotation has been absolutely devastated by injuries. Look at their rotation from their season-opening series in San Diego:
Chris Sale: Injured list (fractured ribs).
Reynaldo Lopez: Injured list (shoulder surgery).
AJ Smith-Shawver: Injured list (Tommy John surgery).
Spencer Schwellenbach: Injured list (fractured elbow).
And you wonder why they’re 39-47 and sitting in fourth place in the NL East.
– It’s stunning that Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman still is dominant at the age of 37, yielding a career-low 1.32 ERA this season, while still throwing 100 mph with one pitch clocked at 103.8.
– While the Giants picked up the 2026 option on manager Bob Melvin’s $4 million-a-year contract, they did not give him an extension, making it more of a simple vote of confidence.
“If anybody deserves any blame from the top, it should be on me,’ Buster Posey, president of baseball operations, said after making the decision. “It shouldn’t be on our manager or coaching staff. I’m the one who sets the roster. So, I feel like with all those things considered, this was a good time for me to show my belief in Bob and his coaching staff.’
– Phillies starter Ranger Suarez is having a walk year for the ages. Check out his last 10 starts:
68⅓ innings
1.19 ERA
0.92 WHIP
.195 opponents’ batting average
He’s about to be paid.
– The Tampa Bay Rays, with an adjusted schedule to keep them out of the summer heat and rain delays in Tampa, are in the start of a stretch of play with 35 of 52 games on the road.
If they survive this stretch, they deserve to play their home postseason games wherever they choose.
– There have been only six catchers in history who have hit 40 or more homers in a season.
Mariners All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh could have 40 by the All-Star break. He entered Saturday with an MLB-leading 35 homers, already eclipsing his career high.
– The Angels, believe it or not, have used only five starters the entire season.
– Brutal break for Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy, who was hitting .308 with 12 homers and a major-league leading 48 RBI in his past 46 games, before suffering a deep bone bruise in his knee that will sideline him about six weeks.
– Remember when the Yankees (42-25) and the Mets were (45-24) were sitting in first place and cruising back on Friday (June) the 13th? The two New York teams limped into the Subway Series this weekend having lost 28 of their last 39 games, and both are now out of first place. The Mets were 6-14 since June 13 and the Yankees were 6-15.
– Javier Báez, the man called El Mago, pulled off his finest magical trick by making the All-Star team as a starting outfielder despite ranking just ninth among outfielders with a .783 OPS, while actually playing more games at shortstop than in the outfield.
– The Dodgers are so deeply and richly talented that they have survived 15 pitchers going on the IL, employed an MLB-leading 34 pitchers, endured prolonged slumps by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy, and are still running away with the NL West.
The Dodgers and Giants were tied for first place on June 13, only for the Dodgers to win 15 of their next 18 games, allowing them to use the second half as a dress rehearsal for the postseason.
– If there was an All-Star selection for a utility player, Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays would be your man. During the Blue Jays’ MLB-best 23-10 run, Clement is hitting .362. He leads the Jays in WAR (2.4) and ranks fourth in baseball by producing 12 outs above average on defense.
– Just because a prospect tears up the minor leagues for a few months doesn’t mean he’s instantly ready for the big leagues and that his previous success will automatically translate.
Meet Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone. He entered July 6 hitting .157 with a .204 on-base percentage and .255 slugging percentage, striking out 24 times in his first 102 at-bats.
– The Cleveland Guardians offense continues to spiral, which should make them sellers at the trade deadline. They’ve lost 22 of their last 28 games while scoring the fewest runs in MLB during that stretch.
While All-Stars Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan are hitting a combined .300 with an .818 OPS, everyone else is hitting .203 with a .615 OPS.
– No one loves hitting at Dodger Stadium more than Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker. He became the first player to homer in six consecutive games at Dodger Stadium on Friday, giving him 20 career homers, 18 while playing for the Diamondbacks.
– Maybe Yankees closer Luke Weaver wasn’t quite ready to come back after spending less than three weeks on the injured list with his strained hamstring. As researcher Bill Chuck points out, Weaver had a 1.05 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP on June 1, yielding two homers in 25 ⅔ innings, but since coming off the IL is yielding a 13.50 ERA with a 1.88 WHIP, giving up four homers in just 5 ⅔ innings.
– Welcome back Paul DeJong, who returned to the Washington Nationals for the first time since being hit in the face April 15, breaking his nose, cheekbone and orbital bone below his eye.
“It’s been a humbling experience for me to go back to square one,’ DeJong told reporters, “and just pray to get healthy and recover from a traumatic injury.’’
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This post appeared first on USA TODAY
