Matt Shaw absence draws scorching national reaction Cubs fans won’t like

Chicago Cubs rookie third baseman Matt Shaw returned to the team's starting lineup on Tuesday after missing the final game of a recent road trip last Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds. While speaking with reporters at Wrigley Field, Shaw confirmed that he was in attendance at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk in Arizona.

In making the decision to attend the memorial, Shaw explained that he received permission from Craig Counsell and Jed Hoyer. Shaw also confirmed that he spoke with several of his teammates as well.

“I was very thankful for how the team responded,” Shaw said. “Allowing me to do that was really special. Jed and (Counsell) and all the veteran players that I talked to – really the whole team – having their support was really important to me."

Entering the final week of the regular season, and with the Cubs in the middle of what is now a five-game losing streak, Shaw's absence on Sunday certainly was noticed. The Cubs' game against the New York Mets on Tuesday was broadcast to a national audience on TBS, and color analyst Gary Cohen seemed to take issue with Shaw not being available on Sunday.

Matt Shaw’s absence in key Cubs stretch fuels national attention

"I don't want to talk about any of the politics of it, but the thought of leaving your team in the middle of a race for any reason other than a family emergency, really strikes me as weird."

There is a need for context. Cohen's assessment suggests that as the Cubs enter the final week of the regular season, the team remains in the race for a playoff spot. That is the case for the Reds and Mets, but the Cubs aren't in that exact position.

With their victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Wednesday, the Cubs secured their spot in the playoffs. There is still some uncertainty with their standing in the National League Wild Card, as the San Diego Padres are within 1 1/2 games of them for the top spot. For the Cubs, the difference that will be determined this week is whether they will host a Wild Card Series or be on the road.

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