Nolan Arenado's 3-run homer led the Cardinals to a 6-3 win over the White Sox on June 17, 2025. See how his big night and Liberatore's gem secured the victory.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The St. Louis Cardinals showcased a potent blend of veteran power and solid pitching on Tuesday night, dispatching the Chicago White Sox 6-3. Nolan Arenado was the star of the show, breaking the game open with a crucial home run, while starter Matthew Liberatore delivered a gem to keep the White Sox bats at bay and push the Cardinals to 38-35 on the season.
Nolan Arenado was a force at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs.
The heart of the Cardinals' order did the heavy lifting. Nolan Arenado's explosive 3-for-4 night was the difference-maker, as his three-run shot provided the decisive runs. Not to be outdone, Willson Contreras continued his torrid month, launching his team-leading 9th home run of the season. Contreras, who now leads the club with 45 RBIs, went 2-for-4 and scored twice. The table was consistently set by Brendan Donovan, who reached base three times from the leadoff spot, scoring two runs and maintaining his impressive .313 batting average.
On the mound, Matthew Liberatore turned in one of his sharpest outings of the year to earn his fourth win. Over six strong innings, 'Libby' allowed just two runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking only one. His fastball command and sharp curveball were on full display, earning praise from manager Oliver Marmol postgame. The quality start lowered his ERA to a respectable 4.05 and provided exactly what the team needed to secure the series opener.
It wasn't just about the long ball. The Cardinals' defense came up big, highlighted by a spectacular diving stop from shortstop Masyn Winn to snuff out a potential rally in the seventh. Meanwhile, top prospect Victor Scott II got another start in center field, showcasing his elite speed with a stolen base to go along with a single. While he's still developing at the plate, Scott's presence in the outfield represents a key part of the Cardinals' future plans.
After Liberatore's departure, the bullpen held the line, culminating in a scoreless ninth inning from Ryan Helsley. The hard-throwing closer notched his 18th save of the season, cementing his status as one of the National League's most reliable ninth-inning arms. The only notable lineup change was a planned rest day for Andrew Benintendi, allowing Pedro Pagés to get the start behind the plate and shifting Iván Herrera to the DH role.
With the win, the Cardinals move to three games over .500 and build some positive momentum on the road. This was a complete team effort, with contributions from all facets of the game. They'll look to carry this energy into the rest of the series against the White Sox, aiming to secure a crucial series win and continue their climb in the standings.
