Counsell stands by call as Boyd flops on short rest

"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."

""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.""

The Cubs took a 1-0 lead but left the first inning down 6-1 after a prolonged Brewers rally. Most damage came against starter Matthew Boyd, who lasted just eight batters while pitching on three days' rest and was charged with six runs, only two earned after a Nico Hoerner error. Manager Craig Counsell removed Boyd after 30 pitches, citing Boyd's 58-pitch outing in the wild-card series and his season-long performance. The organization chose Boyd for the NLDS opener despite limited short-rest experience. Starting pitchers on three days' rest have a 4.50 ERA over the past 30 postseasons.

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