Ian Happ cracked a smile recently when asked about the pickoff move that Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd has used to nab unsuspecting runners at first base. “His pickoff move, it’s gross,” Happ said. “It looks exactly like a slide step.

The Cubs had an okay week and remained solidly in first place in the NL Central.

Matthew Boyd is too nice a guy to use his powerful pickoff move as it was truly intended. “The guy that taught me it, he used to joke, 'If you don't like someone, just hit him and pick him off,'

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.

WASHINGTON — When Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd jogged to the mound in the eighth inning Wednesday, it was the first time he’d done so in a start since 2021. It represented a new accomplishment in an already impressive season after returning from 2023 Tommy John surgery in August of last year.

MacKenzie Gore pitched seven innings of three-hit ball and Amed Rosario homered to break a scoreless tie in the seventh as the Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0.

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.

The All-Star starter pitched his second rehab game in a week in Arizona, with another rehab outing expected to come with Triple-A Iowa.