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.

After a slow start to his big-league career, Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw is gradually getting into the swing of things. Shaw is in the midst of a four-game hitting streak, during which he is a combined 6-11 at the plate with two home runs and four RBIs,

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.

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.

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?