The Cubs and Brewers are set to open a three-game series Sunday as the top two teams in the National League. With the Cubs’ 5-4 win against the White Sox Sunday, claiming the series win at Rate Field, the Cubs (62-43) remained tied with the Brewers for the best record in the NL.

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.

A recent string of good starts has shown how important Chicago Cubs rookie Cade Horton could and will need to be for Chicago to make a deep postseason run.

The Sox made three errors and a noteworthy base-running blunder en route to a 1-5 finish against the Cubs this season, a reminder there's still a ways to go in the latest South Side rebuild.

This round of the City Series arrives as the July 31 trade deadline nears. The Cubs are in a position to buy while the White Sox will be looking to sell.

Veteran right-hander Javier Assad, 27, is slated to make a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, as he continues his lengthy journey back to the Chicago Cubs after suffering a left oblique injury during spring training in Arizona.

The Chicago Cubs need multiple bullpen upgrades and have narrowed their sights on two targets. According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Chicago has looked into Baltimore Orioles’ reliever Seranthony Dominguez and Tampa Bay Rays’ closer Peter Fairbanks.

Javier Assad hasn’t pitched for the Chicago Cubs this season because of a left oblique strain. He is nearing a return and will make rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Iowa.