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

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 should look to add at the MLB trade deadline, and the Diamondbacks have the perfect fits if they are sellers.

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.

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.