The Chicago Cubs are stuck in neutral, and their bats are sputtering like an old engine. Even after scraping out a series win over the Pirates, the offense is ice cold — with one massive exception. Rookie Matt Shaw has been scorching since the All-Star break, carrying an OPS north of 1.000 while nearly everyone else in the lineup has gone flat.
Which is why Sunday’s decision at Wrigley Field turned so many heads. In a 3–3 tie game against Pittsburgh, Craig Counsell pinch-hit for Shaw to lead off the seventh inning. The move brought out veteran Justin Turner, who has historically mashed lefties, but it was a brutal spot for a rookie who’s been the team’s most consistent bat over the past month.
Counsell stuck to the plan. Turner’s OPS against lefties in recent weeks (.961 over his last 56 plate appearances) justified the choice on paper. But the bigger story unfolded in the dugout after Owen Caissie took the at-bat — Turner was immediately by Shaw’s side, arm around the 23-year-old, talking him through the situation.
Shaw’s Growth, Turner’s Wisdom
Shaw’s season has been anything but smooth. He broke camp as the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect and Opening Day starter at third base, only to stumble hard out of the gate and get demoted to Triple-A in mid-April. For a while, it looked like the Cubs might shop for Eugenio Suárez or another veteran stopgap at third. Instead, Shaw got another chance.
And he’s made the most of it. Since retooling his approach, Shaw has looked like a completely different hitter — confident, aggressive, and dangerous. He’s hit eight of his 10 homers in just his last 80 plate appearances and posted a ridiculous 187 wRC+ since mid-July. In an otherwise broken lineup, he’s been the one guy pitchers don’t want to see.
So yes, being lifted for a pinch-hitter had to sting. But here’s where Turner’s career arc matters. He was once in Shaw’s shoes — a young player bounced around, non-tendered, and doubted, before finally breaking out late with the Dodgers at age 29. When Turner put his arm around Shaw, he wasn’t just consoling him; he was passing along the hard-earned perspective of someone who’s lived through it.
Why Turner Still Matters to Chicago
The Cubs signed Turner for his bat against left-handed pitching, but his greatest value may be what we saw Sunday: his mentorship. Shaw didn’t sulk, didn’t spiral — he listened. And having a vet with Turner’s journey in your ear during those tough moments is invaluable for a young player trying to stick.
Sure, the box scores may not reflect Turner’s impact. His early-season numbers made Cubs fans wonder why he is in Chicago, but Sunday offered the answer.
