Nolan Arenado hits his 350th HR as the Cardinals sweep the White Sox. See how their hot offense with Burleson & Contreras sets up their June 20 showdown vs. Reds.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a difference a few days make! The St. Louis Cardinals are red-hot, entering Friday on the heels of a doubleheader sweep of the Chicago White Sox, fueled by a relentless offense and a historic blast from Nolan Arenado. With 25 runs in their last three games, the Birds on the Bat are looking to carry that momentum into a big weekend series at Busch Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds.
Nolan Arenado made headlines by hitting his 350th career home run in the third inning of Game 2 and driving in the go-ahead run in the 10th.
Thursday's doubleheader was a showcase of everything going right for the Cardinals. The main event was Nolan Arenado's 350th career home run, a milestone that puts him in elite company. But he wasn't done, delivering the game-winning RBI single in the 10th inning of the nightcap to secure the sweep. He wasn't the only hero, though. Alec Burleson continued his torrid June, racking up four hits including a three-run homer. Willson Contreras added a homer and a two-run double, and rookie reliever Andre Granillo calmly shut the door in the 10th for his first career save. It was a complete team effort that has the clubhouse buzzing.
The Cardinals won't have much time to celebrate as they welcome the NL Central rival Cincinnati Reds to town. The series opener features Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.83 ERA) on the mound for St. Louis, facing off against the Reds' Brady Singer (7-4, 4.34 ERA). While the pitching matchup is key, the story is the Cardinals' offense, which is averaging over eight runs per game during this winning streak. With Brendan Donovan leading the team with a .317 average and Contreras providing consistent power, the lineup is a threat from top to bottom. This is a prime opportunity to gain ground in the division.
The good news isn't just happening in St. Louis. Down on the farm, the Double-A Springfield Cardinals clinched a postseason berth thanks to a spectacular performance from outfielder Joshua Baez, who crushed two homers and drove in five runs. His power display is just a glimpse of the talent rising through the system. The organization is building a new core, with prospects like JJ Wetherholt and Thomas Saggese nearing big-league readiness, and hard-throwing pitcher Tekoah Roby potentially making his debut later this season. The recent promotion of catcher Rainiel Rodriguez to Low-A after a torrid start further proves the pipeline is loaded.
With the offense firing on all cylinders, a star player etching his name in the history books, and a farm system churning out future contributors, the Cardinals are carrying a wave of positive momentum into a crucial divisional series. All eyes will be on Busch Stadium this weekend to see if they can keep this hot streak alive against the Reds and continue their climb in the NL Central.
