Matthew Boyd gets shelled in NLDS Game 1 meltdown Cubs fans feared

There was widespread skepticism when Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that Matthew Boyd would start Game 1 of the National League Division Series on three days' rest - something he hadn't done since 2017. That skepticism quickly proved well-founded when the Milwaukee Brewers jumped all over Boyd and took advantage of a Nico Hoerner error to hang a six-spot in the bottom of the first inning.

The final line for Boyd? 0.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 30 P

Heading into the postseason, Boyd had already thrown 179 2/3 innings - his most in a single season since 2019. Workload was a concern, especially as his effectiveness waned down the stretch. He rebounded for a strong postseason debut against San Diego, but starting him on short rest proved to be a huge misstep.

The early excitement over Michael Busch's leadoff home run to start the game felt like a thing of the distant past before the book closed on the first inning - and the snowball effect could be damning for a Cubs team with a bullpen that's already stretched thin coming out of the Wild Card Round.

Cubs fans torch Craig Counsell for Matthew Boyd NLDS decision

Fans online quickly turned on Counsell, lighting him up for the decision.

Where things completely came apart was when the always sure-handed Nico Hoerner booted a ground ball, extending the inning and eventually turning what could have been a 2-1 game into a lopsided 6-1 contest. Fans were incredulous at the miscue from the likely Gold Glove winner at second base, but the Brewers' offense was also completely relentless, stacking up hit after hit against Boyd and chasing him from the ballgame.

To call it a worst-case scenario to the NLDS is fair. Hopefully, the Cubs can shake it off and get back on track because, if they don't, this is going to be a very short series.