Matthew Boyd DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Free-agent veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal with the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Boyd will make $14.5 million per year plus $1 million in incentives ($500,000 per season). The 33-year-old southpaw was recovering from Tommy John surgery early in 2024 and didn't sign with the Cleveland Guardians until June. When he finally debuted, he was effective on the mound in Cleveland, going 2-2 with a 2.72 ERA (3.29 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 46 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 2/3 frames over his eight starts during the regular season. In the postseason, Boyd was even better, giving up only one run in 12 innings pitched. Although Boyd hasn't made more than 15 regular-season starts in a single season since 2019, he'll give the Cubbies some valuable starting experience for their starting rotation to open the 2025 campaign.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd will make the start in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Thursday at Progressive Field. Boyd will try to prevent the Yankees from taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw will try to keep the good times rolling in his third career postseason start after blanking the division-rival Detroit Tigers over 6 2/3 innings in his two starts against them in the AL Division Series. In those starts, Boyd allowed five hits, walked three and struck out 10 batters. He made only eight starts during the regular season for Cleveland but was solid with a 2.72 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 46 K's. Boyd allowed three earned runs on four walks and two K's in 5 1/3 innings in his lone outing against the Yankees back on Aug. 20 in the Bronx.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd will make the start for Cleveland on Saturday in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field, according to manager Stephen Vogt. The 33-year-old southpaw will be going on regular rest in the winner-take-all contest after going 4 2/3 shutout frames with five strikeouts in the team's Game 2 loss on Monday. Boyd will be opposed by Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who is the overwhelming favorite to win the AL Cy Young this year after winning the AL pitching Triple Crown. He'll be hoping to replicate his performance his last time out against his former team. Boyd only made eight starts during the regular season for the Guardians but was on point with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in his 39 2/3 innings while walking 13 and striking out 46. He certainly doesn't have the type of upside as Skubal, though.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd is expected to start in Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Monday against his old team, the Detroit Tigers, at Progressive Field. It will be a tough assignment while being opposed by Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal, who is the overwhelming front-runner to win the American League Cy Young in 2024. A shoulder injury delayed Boyd's 2024 debut with Cleveland until August, limiting him to just eight starts (39 2/3 innings). He was strong in those eight starts, though, only allowing 16 runs (12 earned) while walking 13 and striking out 46 batters. Boyd did not face the Tigers in any of his eight starts this year. His inclusion on the ALDS roster for Cleveland has left right-hander Ben Lively as the odd man out. In Boyd's eight starts, he never allowed more than three earned runs, but he also hasn't gone beyond 4 1/4 innings since Sept. 6. He'll be a DFS sleeper for Monday's slate of games.

Cleveland Guardians starter Matthew Boyd pitched well on Wednesday as his team beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4. Boyd went 4 1/3 innings, gave up four runs (one earned) on six hits, walked two and struck out nine. He did not factor into the decision. Boyd, who missed the end of last year and most of this year recovering from elbow surgery, has been very good since making his season debut on August 13. In six starts (33 IP), he is (2-1) with a 2.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 7:35 BB: K. Boyd's strong return brings promise to the Guardians, as they are in for a tight (and exciting) September and October. The southpaw can be used as a streamer in his next start on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins.