Cubs name Matthew Boyd starter for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Brewers

MILWAUKEE – In the ninth inning of Game 3 of the Cubs’ wild-card series against the Padres, left-handed starter Matthew Boyd was on the bullpen mound, warming in case the Cubs needed him in relief.

The next day the Cubs announced that he’d get the ball Saturday against the Brewers in the opening game of the National League Division Series.

“He was willing to take the ball [Thursday,]” manager Craig Counsell said when asked about Boyd’s willingness to start Saturday on short rest.

Boyd had only thrown 58 pitches in his last start, Tuesday’s wild-card series Game 1. And he used them well, limiting the Padres to one run in 4 ⅓ innings. The low pitch count also meant he didn’t need as much time to bounce back.

“He had his head on it, probably when he got in the dugout,” Counsell said. “And he’s asked repeatedly about it.”

Boyd’s warmup in the bullpen Thursday essentially took the place of a normal side session.

He was not available to comment on the NLDS Game 1 assignment because the Cubs announced the decision after they’d left American Family Field post-workout Friday. But he got emotional Monday talking about pitching in the postseason and what the Cubs meant to his late grandfather, John.

“It’s cool for so many different reasons,” he said through tears. “It’s cool because you never know when the opportunity presents itself. I waited my first eight years to get the chance of a postseason. Didn’t really get to be a part of it on the field [that year]; only threw one out. You never know when the opportunity is going to come again.

“To do it with the Cubs, to do it with this group, it will never be like this again. … It’s a special group. It’s a good group of guys. And it’s unique to this moment, and that’s it.”

Horton out for NLDS

If the best-of-five NLDS between the Cubs and Brewers goes the full five games, right-hander Cade Horton (fractured rib) would be eligible to return from the 15-day IL for the final contest. But he isn’t expected to be ready to pitch by then.

“Cade will not be active this series,” Counsell said Friday. “He feels good, but we’re encouraging healing right now, so we’re not doing anything that would cause pain. We haven’t pushed him to a place that would test that. As we get into later this week, we’re going to have to decide if it’s time to do that, and that decision has not been made yet.”

Horton has been playing catch on flat ground, but the Cubs have not yet circled a day for him to begin throwing off the mound. Because of that, even returning during the NL Championship Series could be an aggressive timeline, and would likely require him returning in a relief role.