Shaw fuels Cubs past Mets in 10-3 win as memorial-attendance controversy swirls
Cubs rookie Matt Shaw goes 3-for-4 with a homer and three runs, while Mets broadcasters question his attendance at Charlie Kirk’s memorial.
Chicago — Matt Shaw delivered a breakout night for the Cubs, going 3-for-4 with a solo homer and scoring three times as Chicago cruised past the New York Mets 10-3 on Wednesday. The win kept Chicago high in the NL postseason chase, improving to 89-69, while New York remained one game ahead of Cincinnati for the final wild-card spot with four games left.
During ESPN's national broadcast, Mets announcers Gary Cohen and Todd Zeile of SNY commented on Shaw's decision to attend Charlie Kirk's memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, last Sunday. Cohen termed the move as 'weird' and Zeile called Shaw's absence 'unprecedented' and noted it was not disclosed until after it occurred.
Shaw addressed the matter before the Cubs opened the series, saying his decision to attend the memorial stemmed from his Christian faith and his friendship with Kirk. He noted that faith and the blessings he has received drive his daily life and that he accepted any backlash.
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative influencer and Cubs fan, was memorialized at the stadium service; Kirk had been described in notes as having been killed at a Utah Valley University event earlier this month.
With the victory, Chicago clinched a postseason berth and improved to 89-69, signaling momentum heading into the final four regular-season games. The Mets' wild-card status remains precarious, as New York holds a one-game lead over Cincinnati for the final NL spot with four games remaining.
