The Chicago Cubs are on top of the NL Central with a depleted rotation. The quiet consistency of Matthew Boyd is a major reason for their success.

Swanson connected against Ryan Borucki (1-3) with two out in the sixth inning, giving Chicago a 2-1 lead with a solo drive into the bleachers in left-center.

Yet again, the Cubs offense struggled. For the first time this year, this team is not really rising to challenges. They are struggling day after day. But, they won again Saturday. One can simultaneously accept the win and that they did just enough while also recognizing that this team just isn’t giving itself any margin for error.

Matthew Boyd is a student of the game. He’s also one of the most positive, silver lining-focused guys in the Cubs’ clubhouse. Maybe that's because he has overcome obstacle after obstacle.

For a second consecutive day, Craig Counsell watched the end of the Chicago Cubs game from the visiting manager’s office following an ejection.

Chicago’s offense was limited against Wheeler as it mustered just three hits and one run against the veteran. The Cubs missed a chance to pad the 3-2 lead they took in the 11th when Dansby Swanson struck out with one out and Pete Crow-Armstrong on second. A series of bunt singles in the bottom half of the frame ultimately sunk the team.

Current Cubs and former Tigers pitcher Matthew Boyd tipped his cap to the surging Detroit squad amid a solid start in Chicago.

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Dansby Swanson homered, Matthew Boyd pitched six sharp innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates took an early lead in the top of the first inning, as designated hitter Andrew McCutchen hit a solo home run off of Cubs left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd. Tha