Boyd Bounces Back as Cubs Take Rubber Game from Angels at Wrigley

Matthew Boyd strikes out 10 and pitches into the sixth inning as Chicago beats Los Angeles 6-2.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:12am

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A cubist, geometric painting in vibrant colors depicting the action and movement of a baseball game, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes representing the players, field, and crowd.The Cubs' decisive third-inning rally fractured into a cubist masterpiece, capturing the energy and momentum of their offensive outburst.Chicago Today

Matthew Boyd bounced back from a rough first start of the season, striking out 10 and pitching into the sixth inning as the Chicago Cubs beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 to win the rubber game of their series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs broke the game open with a five-run third inning, getting key hits from Nico Hoerner, Alex Bregman, Matt Shaw, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Why it matters

This outing was an important bounce-back performance for Boyd, who struggled in his first start of the year. The Cubs needed a strong showing from their starting rotation to settle things early in the season, and Boyd delivered. The decisive third inning also showed the depth of Chicago's offense, which was able to generate a big rally without relying on just one or two hitters.

The details

Boyd allowed only two hits and two runs, one earned, across 5 2/3 innings, striking out 10 batters. The Cubs broke the game open with a five-run third inning, getting RBI hits from Hoerner, Bregman, Shaw, and Crow-Armstrong. The Angels scored twice in the sixth to trim the margin, but Chicago never let the game get back into real danger.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Matthew Boyd

The Chicago Cubs starting pitcher, who bounced back from a rough first outing to strike out 10 and pitch into the sixth inning.

Nico Hoerner

The Cubs' leadoff hitter, who had three hits and drove in a run during the team's five-run third inning.

Alex Bregman

The Cubs' third baseman, who had an RBI single in the third inning but also committed a defensive error later in the game.

Matt Shaw

The Cubs' outfielder, who had two hits and two RBIs in the third-inning rally.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

The Cubs' outfielder, who also drove in a run with a two-out single in the third inning.

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What they’re saying

“Matthew Boyd's first start of the season was one to forget. His second was a whole lot more like what the Cubs were hoping to see.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting

What’s next

The Cubs will look to build on this series win when they host the Brewers for a three-game set starting on Friday.

The takeaway

This game showed the resilience of the Cubs' starting rotation and the depth of their offense, which was able to generate a big rally without relying on just one or two hitters. It was an important bounce-back outing for Boyd and a confidence-building win for the team as they look to establish themselves early in the season.