Cubs' Boyd flops on short rest in Game 1; Counsell stands by call - ESPN

MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of their NLDS showdown on Saturday only to leave the inning about 20 minutes later down 6-1.

Most of the damage came against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, who didn't look sharp while pitching on three days' rest, lasting just eight batters.

«It's unfortunate it was such a big inning, but that was the difference in the game today,» Boyd said after the Brewers' 9-3 victory.

Boyd, 34, left after an 11 pitch at-bat by Brewers center fielder Blake Perkins, who singled home Milwaukee's fourth run of the game.

At that point, Cubs manager Craig Counsell had seen enough, pulling Boyd after 30 pitches, four hits and a walk. Boyd was eventually charged with six runs, but only two were earned after a Nico Hoerner error opened the inning up for the Brewers.

Asked afterward why he started Boyd on short rest, Counsell cited the fact he had thrown only 58 pitches in the Cubs' Game 1 win over the San Diego Padres in the wild-card series and also «what he's done all season, being our best starting pitcher.» The Cubs said they were thinking about giving Boyd the ball for NLDS opener not long after he came out of his start against the Padres. It might have backfired.

Over the past 30 postseasons, starting pitchers on three days of rest have a 4.50 ERA, according to ESPN Research.

«We picked Matt Boyd to pitch,» Counsell said when pressed about the decision. «I don't know what to say. He pitched, it didn't go well. We've got to make decisions. We went with Matt.

»We're very comfortable — I was very comfortable — putting Matt Boyd on the mound today. The whole organization was comfortable putting Matt Boyd on the mound today."