Chicago Cubs-Milwaukee Brewers To Face Off In NLDS

Wrigleyville was rocking as the Chicago Cubs took two out of three from the San Diego Padres, punching their ticket to the NLDS. For the first time since 2020, the Cubbies are in the postseason hunt, and the city is buzzing. But amidst the celebration, there’s a nagging question mark hanging over third base.

While the rest of the lineup seemed to find its rhythm, Third Baseman Matt Shaw looked like he was swinging a pool noodle. The Cubs are advancing, yes, but they did so while practically carrying Shaw on their backs. This isn’t just a slump; it’s a full-blown crisis at the plate for the young star. The team is heading into a brutal series against the Milwaukee Brewers, and they can’t afford to have a black hole in their batting order.

How Bad Was the Slump For the Cubs?

Let’s just say it was ugly. In the series against the Padres, Shaw went a ghost-like 0-for-7. While teammates like Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly were launching balls into the bleachers, Shaw was collecting strikeouts like they were baseball cards. He whiffed five times in the series, looking completely lost against San Diego’s pitching.

In Game 1, he struck out twice. By Game 2, after another 0-for-2 start, Manager Craig Counsell had seen enough, pulling him for Moises Ballesteros. It was a move that screamed, “I’ve got more confidence in a guy with less big-league experience right now.” Ouch.

The decisive Game 3 was no different. Shaw went hitless again, solidifying a performance he’d rather forget. This isn’t what you expect from a guy who hit .226 with 13 homers during the regular season. We saw flashes of brilliance from him, like that nine-game hit streak in July, but the postseason is a different beast, and right now, it’s eating him alive.

Can Matt Shaw Bounce Back?

Look, every player goes through slumps. It is the nature of the game. Even the greats have looked foolish at the plate. The problem is, Shaw’s slump is happening on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights. The pressure is immense, and it’s showing.

There’s a glimmer of hope, though. Back in September, Shaw strung together three multi-hit games, proving he has the talent to break out at any moment. Cubs fans are holding their breath, hoping he rediscovers that magic. They’ll need him to if they want to make a deep run.

The upcoming NLDS matchup against the Brewers is going to be a dogfight. These two NL Central rivals know each other inside and out. Milwaukee boasts the best ERA in the National League, led by ace Freddy Peralta. They won 97 games for a reason. There will be no easy at-bats, no room for error.

The Cubs Need All Hands On Deck

For the Cubs to have a fighting chance, they need everyone to contribute. They can’t rely on just a few players to carry the offensive load. Dansby Swanson, Michael Busch, and Pete Crow-Armstrong all came through with clutch RBI against the Padres. That’s the kind of team effort it will take to topple the Brewers.

The narrative writes itself: former Brewers Manager Craig Counsell, now at the helm for the Cubs, returns to Milwaukee to face his old team. You can bet the boos will be deafening every time he steps out of the dugout. It is a spicy subplot in what’s already a high-stakes series.

But all the off-field drama won’t matter if the Cubs can’t produce at the plate. And a huge part of that production needs to come from the hot corner. The question on every Cubs fan’s mind is simple: Which Matt Shaw will show up? The one who can carry a team with his bat, or the one who looks like he’s never seen a curveball before? The fate of the Cubs’ postseason dreams might just rest on his shoulders. No pressure, kid.