Matthew Boyd's 7 shutout innings and Seiya Suzuki's 3-run homer led the Cubs to an 8-0 win over the Cardinals on Aug. 8, 2025. Read how Boyd dominated.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The Chicago Cubs rolled into Busch Stadium on Friday night and delivered an absolute beatdown, silencing the St. Louis crowd with a dominant 8-0 shutout victory. Behind a masterful performance from ace Matthew Boyd and a game-breaking home run from Seiya Suzuki, the Cubs took a 3-2 lead in the season series and sent a clear message to the rest of the National League: they are a force to be reckoned with.
'I felt in rhythm all night. The defense was great behind me, and Suzuki’s homer gave us a big lift.' - Matthew Boyd
Matthew Boyd was simply untouchable. The left-hander carved up the Cardinals lineup for seven spectacular innings, allowing just two hits while striking out nine without issuing a single walk. At one point, he retired 13 consecutive batters, never letting a runner advance past second base. The gem lowered his season ERA to a sparkling 2.28, cementing his status as a legitimate Cy Young contender. It was the kind of ace-like performance that can carry a team through a pennant race.
While Boyd handled the pitching, Seiya Suzuki provided the thunder. With the Cubs holding a narrow lead, Suzuki stepped to the plate in the fifth inning and launched a towering three-run homer, his 28th of the year, to break the game wide open. He finished the night 2-for-4 with 4 RBI, bringing his season total to an impressive 85. 'He’s been locked in for weeks,' manager Craig Counsell said postgame, and Suzuki's clutch hitting continues to be a central pillar of the Cubs' offensive success.
This win wasn't just about bragging rights; it was critical for the standings. The Cubs improved to 67-48, holding steady at four games behind the division-leading Brewers while extending their lead for the second NL Wild Card spot to 1.5 games. This sustained success validates the front office's trade deadline strategy. President Jed Hoyer’s choice to hold onto top prospects like Owen Caissie and Moisés Ballesteros is paying dividends, allowing the team to win now without mortgaging its bright future.
With this decisive victory, the Cubs have set the tone for a crucial weekend series against their arch-rivals. The combination of elite pitching and timely power hitting is exactly the formula needed to close the gap on the Brewers. As the playoff race intensifies, every game matters, and Friday's performance was a powerful statement that this team is built for the August grind.
