SAN DIEGO — The Cubs started veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd in Game 1 of their National League wild-card series against the Padres last season, a postseason-opening victory at Wrigley Field.
They’ve decided to run it back.
Manager Craig Counsell on Monday announced Boyd as the Cubs’ starter for Game 1 of the best-of-three wild-card rematch against the Padres, which starts Tuesday night at Petco Park.
Though his season was affected by a pair of injuries, including knee surgery that kept him out for nearly two months, Boyd finished the regular season with a 3.91 ERA in 22 starts. That was highlighted by a dominant stretch upon his return from that long layoff, during which he posted a 1.93 ERA in his first seven starts back.
That was followed by a bumpier stretch, but he finished with a 3.28 ERA in his last six starts.
San Diego. Drink it in. It always goes down smooth. Just like these couple two tree things about the Cubs the night before the playoffs start. @suntimes_sports @Suntimes pic.twitter.com/2j45VXUP43
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) September 29, 2026
‘‘Playoff starts are a challenge,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘Matthew’s experienced in that, had good experiences last year for us, and we look for him to do the same [Tuesday].’’
The Cubs figure to be happy if they get a similar start to the one Boyd made against the Padres last postseason, in which he allowed one run in 4⅓ innings.
But starting pitching isn’t something that looks the same in the playoffs, and Counsell again was repeating his ‘‘out-getters’’ mantra on the eve of Game 1.
‘‘We’ve just got to figure out how to get 27 outs,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘The order that happens? Starter, reliever, closer, setup man — those words don’t matter. We’re just trying to get 27 outs.’’
Gausman, Imanaga will pitch
While veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman wasn’t selected as the Cubs’ starter in Game 1, Counsell said he will pitch during the series.
Gausman, who was acquired at the trade deadline, banged up his left shoulder on a diving tag play last week.
The same goes for left-hander Shota Imanaga, who threw 12 pitches in one inning Sunday against the Red Sox.
Counsell didn’t commit to either pitcher starting, but he said they’ll get into games somehow.
Gausman made five starts and one relief appearance for the Blue Jays during their run to the World Series last fall and knows what’s required in the postseason.
‘‘Whatever you think is going to happen, you don’t know what’s going to happen,’’ he said Sunday. ‘‘You’ve got to be ready for everything.
‘‘Guys are going to be asked to do things they haven’t been asked to do all season. If you’re not ready for it, it can mess with you. But you’ve got to change your mindset to, ‘The most important game of the year is on Tuesday, and if it takes 10 guys to get through that game, that’s what it’s going to take.’
‘‘You’re just living and dying by every day.’’
Bregman at third base?
Third baseman Alex Bregman might be limited to designated-hitter duty in the wild-card series. He is still not far removed from taking a foul ball to the face and suffering multiple facial fractures.
After Bregman took ground balls during a workout Monday, Counsell said the Cubs still have a decision to make about whether they want to risk exposing Bregman to further danger by playing him in the field in Game 1.
‘‘I’ll be honest, I haven’t made a decision there yet,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘[Monday] was a much better day than how he looked [Sunday] in Tampa. So that’s a good sign.
‘‘He still has fractures in his face, and that’s what we have to weigh. That’s a decision that we’ve got make overnight.’’