During the All-Star break, Matt Shaw stepped away from the pressure of the majors and headed to his family lakehouse in upstate New York to reset. The Cubs had held him out for three games leading into the break, giving him time to address both the mental and mechanical sides of his game.
By the lake, Shaw connected with his wife and their dog, soaking in a calmer pace and reminding himself what truly matters. He said the scene brought him a deep sense of peace and happiness, emphasizing that if that simple life was all he had, he’d still be all right. That moment helped him refocus on why he plays: not for any external rewards, but for the love of the game itself.
Since returning from the break, Shaw has carried that renewed perspective into his play. He entered Sunday highly productive, logging a wRC+ among the league’s top 3 players with at least 50 plate appearances, and he added another homer in Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, his seventh since the break. His recent power surge has put him among the leaders for homers in this stretch.
But Shaw isn’t the only one finding his footing. Teammates are still chasing the consistency they showed earlier this season, a challenge Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged as a natural part of the process. Shaw’s turnaround has also drawn attention for the way he’s approached hitting during the break.
A key part of his improvement has been a return to a more comfortable swing silhouette. Shaw revisited old footage and noted that his hands were higher in the Cape Cod League and during college—an adjustment he reintroduced. He also experimented with a more open stance after the break, a change that felt right in the moment and has stuck. Counsell described Shaw as a player who is willing to tinker and try new things, stressing that this willingness is part of the path to getting better.
Statistically, Shaw has been pulling the ball more often since the break. All seven of his homers in this stretch have gone to the pull side, and his approach has shifted toward being more aggressive and on time rather than chasing power. He explained that when pitches middle or inside come, he can get the ball out front and drive it to left or right, depending on the available pitch—it’s more about timing and decisiveness than simply swinging for the fences.
Shaw’s resurgence has arrived as the Cubs aim to regain momentum in a division race that has tightened, with Milwaukee extending its lead. While the team as a whole is still seeking consistency, Shaw’s resilience—his willingness to adapt, his improved mechanics, and his renewed mental focus—offers a positive story for a club trying to climb back into contention.
A note on the broader takeaway: Shaw’s example underscores how a brief mental reset combined with targeted mechanical tweaks can spark a player who was facing tough times. It also highlights the value of a supportive dugout environment and a manager who emphasizes process and growth.
Summary: Matt Shaw used the All-Star break to reset his mindset and adjust his swing mechanics, returning to a higher-hand position and a more open stance. He’s produced a notable stretch of power since, showing that disciplined self-evaluation and willingness to tinker can translate into pivotal contributions for a team fighting to stay in the division race. The positive trend is tempered by the Cubs’ ongoing team-wide inconsistencies, but Shaw’s recent form provides a hopeful note for Chicago fans.
Additional note: Shaw’s example could inspire a broader conversation about how players balance confidence, routine, and adjustments during slumps, and how teams can support players through midseason revamps.