The Cardinals' recent performance against the Cubs has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. After a disappointing first inning, Edward Cabrera's return from the IL took an unexpected turn in the fourth, as the Cardinals scored six runs. However, the real concern lay in Cabrera's performance, as his lack of swing-and-miss stuff and disappearing control in the fourth inning raised red flags. Ryan Rolison, who entered with just one out, couldn't stop the bleeding, giving up a two-run double and a two-run home run. This was a stark contrast to his previous outings, where he had allowed only one walk in his last two rehab starts combined.
The game took a turn for the worse when Dansby Swanson, who had been in obvious pain after his first swing, left the game with left side discomfort. The initial guess pointed towards an oblique injury, a notoriously tricky injury to heal with a consistent timeline. Seiya Suzuki, who suffered similar injuries in 2023 and 2024, missed six weeks the first time and four weeks the second time, and with only six weeks left in the regular season, the implications are concerning.
Despite the setbacks, the Cardinals found some solace in Pete Crow-Armstrong's performance. He pulled a Hunter Dobbins fastball 408-feet to right field for a two-run shot, briefly making it 3-2. However, the game took a turn for the worse again in the next inning, as the Cardinals allowed four runs. The final score was Cardinals 11, Cubs 4.
The Cardinals' performance this weekend has been a stinker, and they are hoping for a series win or sweep of the White Sox to forget this disappointing weekend. The team will need to regroup and refocus to get back on track and secure a playoff spot. With the season nearing its end, every game is crucial, and the Cardinals will need to bring their A-game to stay competitive.
