The Chicago Cubs’ recent postseason decision has sparked outrage from fans across the city. The clubhouse’s repeated decision to entrust the ball to veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd has fueled frustration, with many believing manager Craig Counsell threw all warning signs in the wind. After Boyd’s terrible Game 1 start opposite Milwaukee, fans see this as a precarious move rather than a confident step toward survival.

The decision is rooted in deep context. Boyd lasted just two-thirds of an inning in Game 1, surrendering six runs as the Brewers rolled to a 9-3 victory. That outing came on short rest, only three days after he started Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against San Diego. His struggles did not come out of nowhere either. Boyd had a 5.51 ERA over his final eight regular-season starts after showing early-season dominance. While injuries forced the Cubs’ hand, newbie Cade Horton is on the IL, while Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon were not available at the time, fans feel Counsell’s loyalty to Boyd has come at too high a cost.

Breaking the news, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network stated that Boyd will indeed start Game 4 of the NLDS against the Brewers at Wrigley Field. The Cubs trail the best-of-five series two games to one, meaning Thursday’s outing is an elimination game. Counsell confirmed the call, pointing out that Boyd would finally be pitching on normal rest. Still, the pressure is massive, particularly after his meltdown in Milwaukee and the increasing impatience among fans who wanted a fresh arm at this turning point.

However, Boyd insists he is ready for redemption. “When you have an outing that doesn’t go the way you want, you still have to say, ‘OK, what can I do better?’” The star said after the Cubs’ Game 3 win. “Next time I get the chance, I know what I’m going to do.” Boyd’s veteran perspective shows calmness. However, his current inconsistency remains hard to ignore. With his All-Star campaign and team-leading innings pitched, his second-half fatigue and command challenges raise legitimate concerns about whether Boyd can rise to the postseason challenge.

While Matthew Boyd’s upcoming start at Game 4 has divided the team, it is the fans who have lost faith in the team’s decision-making. The Cubs’ social media erupted after the Game 4 decision, with reactions ranging from disbelief to mockery.

Fans erupt over Boyd’s Game 4 star announcement

The fans are not happy with Mathew Boyd’s placement in the lineup. “You know what, can’t even argue. Boyd has a better record at home than on the road, so if everything goes wrong, Counsell is a f—— re—d”, one fan said. That sentiment is harsh; however, it highlights the boiling frustration also. While the data highlight that Boyd has a career 36-33 record at home games vs. a 24-44 record on the road, the logic does not calm the frustration. Fans know numbers; however, the fans also remember the humiliation of Game 1. Wrigley Field could favour the star historically; however, it is the confidence, not the venue, that makes the call.

“Don’t understand why they never went to Assad the entire playoffs.” This reaction echoes a common opinion that Javier Assad should have been given the ball. Assad silently posted a 4–1 record with a 3.65 ERA across 37 innings in 2025, persistent progress from last season when he logged his first 100-strikeout campaign. His controlled delivery and playoff composure made him a fan favorite. Many are asserting that Counsell’s having cold feet about using him in a high-pressure situation has become one of the series’ baffling questions.

“I’m 90% sure we’ll have a 50/50 chance to win.” Sarcasm now drives a majority of the fan conversation. That quip perfectly sums up the uncertainty hanging over Wrigley. The Cubs’ offensive bursts, such as Michael Busch’s early homer in Game 1, are blocked out by their pitching volatility. Boyd’s inconsistency has turned hope into humor, an emotional coping mechanism for a fanbase that has gone through multiple October collapses.

“Not Colin Rea… Oh boy…” When Colin Rea’s name served as a substitute, fans did not sound relieved either. Rea, 35, went 11–7 with a 3.95 ERA in the 2025 regular season and threw five scoreless postseason innings, but uncertainty remains. His history of mid-game unraveling lingers in the memory of many fans. The reaction highlights that Counsell’s rotation lacks a “safe” choice, magnifying the tension of every pitch in this make-or-break series.

“Line went from -130 to +110 after this was announced.” Even the gambling markets spoke volumes. Moments after Boyd’s Game 4 start was revealed, the Cubs’ odds flipped from favorites to underdogs. The line movement seized what Chicago fans already feared. Vegas does not trust Boyd either. For a city fighting for its own playoff lives, that change symbolized more than stats; it was a harsh dose of reality before first pitch.

As Chicago holds up for an elimination game under the Wrigley lights, the mood is far from confident. The fans’ reactions reflect the franchise’s uncertainty, a mix of loyalty, frustration, and disbelief. Matthew Boyd’s start may define not only the Cubs’ postseason fate but also the early perception of Craig Counsell’s decision-making era in Chicago.