The only time Matthew Boyd seemed to teeter on the brink of losing control came after his solid debut at Wrigley Field on Saturday.

“My grandfather would have loved this,” the first-year Chicago Cubs pitcher said with his voice full of emotion, following his first start in the 7-1 win over the San Diego Padres at the Friendly Confines. “I know what it would have meant to him, I know what it means to my dad, just to put on this uniform.”

Boyd did more than just put on the uniform on Saturday, as the 34-year-old lefty twirled a gem, delivering six scoreless innings for the Cubs, allowing just five hits while fanning five to earn his first win of the campaign. Boyd became just the third starter since 1901 to begin his Cubs tenure with a pair of scoreless starts (minimum 5 innings pitched).

“He’s pitched wonderfully,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told the media. “He’s controlled the aggressiveness of hitters, and they always feel a little bit off balance with the speeds of the pitches.”

Boyd’s grandfather John Boyd was raised in Chicago and a lifelong Cubs fan. Boyd said in his introductory press conference with the North Siders that, “2016 was one of the happiest days of his life. He’s smiling somewhere right now. He’ll be smiling this year.”

Boyd, who the Cubs signed to a two-year, $29 million contract during the offseason, talked about the bond he has with the team since childhood.

“As I grew up, the Cubs were always something special because it was special to my dad, so he passed that on,” Boyd said. “So, to be a part of this is really cool and I’m really grateful.”

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Although John passed away in 2019, he did get to see his grandson pitch at Wrigley Field, as Boyd made an emergency appearance out of the bullpen in 2015, getting two outs, while as a member of the Detroit Tigers. 

But Saturday was his first ever career start at the Friendly Confines and after Tommy John surgery took away much of his 2023 and 2024 seasons, Boyd said he has a new appreciation for each start.

“Every time I take that walk on the field, I just try to take a moment and soak it in.” Boyd said. “Because you are a big-league baseball player, now I’m pitching for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.”

It’s fair to say that John Boyd, who used to call his grandson after every start, was smiling after watching Matthew’s start at Wrigley on Saturday.