This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/maryland as Former Maryland shortstop Matt Shaw helps Chicago Cubs keep pace in pennant race. The Chicago Cubs are in a tie for first place in the National League Central, and that is in no small part thanks to former Maryland third baseman Matt Shaw.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell went into Sunday’s series finale at Rate Field hoping to get four innings from Ben Brown. The right-hander, looking to move past a bad outing Monday, produced one of his best starts of the year in the Cubs’ 5-4 win over the White Sox.

Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski already has won matchups with Paul Skenes and Clayton Kershaw and has pitched in the All-Star Game since reaching the major leagues six weeks ago.

If the Chicago Cubs were to add a bat at the trade deadline, third base could be one spot worth a conversation. But would they prefer to keep giving Matt Shaw at-bats?

White Sox pitcher Sean Burke could match up against Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw, his teammate at the University of Maryland, in Sunday's series finale.

The latest Chicago Cubs rumors include Matt Shaw's grim future, an unexpected leg up for Eugenio Suárez, and a potential Charlie Morton trade red flag.