Cardinals vs. Dodgers on June 8, 2025: St. Louis goes for the sweep! Can rookie Michael McGreevy outduel Clayton Kershaw after Arenado's walk-off win?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Who saw this coming? After two thrilling games, the St. Louis Cardinals have a chance to complete a stunning series sweep of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. After Nolan Arenado played hero with a walk-off double to seal Saturday's 2-1 victory, the Cardinals have managed to muzzle the most potent offense in baseball, setting the stage for a dramatic Sunday finale at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals have held the Dodgers, who lead the majors in scoring, home runs, and batting average, to just one run over the first two games of the series.
All eyes will be on Michael McGreevy as he gets the ball for the Redbirds. The 25-year-old prospect is being called up to make just his second start of the season, facing none other than future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. McGreevy was brilliant in his first outing on May 4, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Mets. Can he replicate that magic against a Dodgers lineup desperate to avoid the sweep? It's a classic rookie-versus-veteran showdown with massive divisional implications.
While Arenado's heroics sent the crowd home happy, a worrying trend continued in the ninth inning. Closer Ryan Helsley blew his second consecutive save opportunity, allowing the tying run before the Cardinals walked it off. That marks his fourth blown save in 17 chances this season, and his 1.52 WHIP is a cause for concern. The Cardinals have been winning in spite of these late-inning struggles, but it's a situation the front office will have to monitor closely. You can't rely on walk-off wins forever.
McGreevy's start isn't an isolated event; it's the latest chapter in the Cardinals' 2025 youth movement. He joins fellow homegrown starters Andre Pallante and Matthew Liberatore in a rotation getting younger and more dynamic. Across the diamond, the team boasts six everyday regulars aged 27 or younger, with top prospects like JJ Wetherholt and Thomas Saggese waiting in the wings. This team is building a new core right before our eyes, and the future is bright.
The youth movement extends deep into the farm system. The latest name creating buzz is catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez, who was just promoted to Low-A Palm Beach. Why the excitement? In 20 games in the complex league, Rodriguez posted what Baseball America called a 'downright Bonds-ian' slash line of .355/.494/.839. That's elite power and plate discipline from a premium position, proving the talent pipeline is still flowing strong.
Today is more than just a single game; it's a statement. A chance to sweep the best team in the division, a major test for a promising young arm in McGreevy, and another high-leverage moment for a bullpen searching for stability. As the Cardinals continue to infuse their roster with youth, games like this provide a glimpse into the team's exciting, and occasionally nerve-wracking, future.
