Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd has been named the Game 1 starter for the team's 2025 NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres. With rookie Cade Horton sidelined, Boyd steps into the spotlight. For the veteran left-hander, though, the moment carries deep personal meaning.

In a post by Marquee Sports Network on the X (formerly known as Twitter) platform, the network captured Boyd's emotional comments following the announcement.

“It’s bigger than baseball

Matthew Boyd reflects on what it means to start Game 1 for the Cubs.” Expand Tweet

Boyd, now in his 11th MLB season, spoke through visible emotion as he remembered his late grandfather — a lifelong Cubs fan — who passed down his love for the team across generations. He noted that his grandfather had once called the 2016

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