Cubs’ Matt Shaw defends missing team’s defeat to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial

• Infielder was invited by Kirk's widow, Erika

• Pair had lived in same apartment complex

• Cubs aiming to secure top wildcard slot in NL

Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw said he has no regrets after missing a game with playoff implications to attend a memorial for Charlie Kirk.

Shaw missed the Cubs' game at the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday to go to the memorial for the rightwing activist, which took place in Arizona. The Cubs lost the game 1-0. They are aiming to secure the top wildcard slot in the National League, which would give them home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Shaw's absence was also a boost for the Reds, who are in a battle with the New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks for the final wildcard spot in the NL.