The Cubs crushed the Cardinals 8-0 on June 26, 2025, as Ian Happ's leadoff homer and Matthew Boyd's shutout gem snapped a 3-game skid. Recap the rout.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the sky might be falling after a tough three-game skid, the Chicago Cubs walked into Busch Stadium and delivered an absolute statement. Ian Happ blasted the very first pitch of the game for a home run, Matthew Boyd turned in a masterful six-inning shutout, and the North Siders dismantled the St. Louis Cardinals 8-0 in a much-needed, emphatic victory.
Six shutout innings, seven strikeouts, and zero walks. That's how you silence a rival's ballpark.
It took exactly one pitch for the Cubs to wash away the bad taste of a three-game losing streak. Ian Happ ambushed Cardinals starter Erick Fedde, sending the first offering of the night into the seats and setting the tone for a relentless offensive attack. The bats never cooled off. Backup catcher Reese McGuire, providing a jolt from the bottom of the order, blasted a two-run homer in the second inning for his fifth of the year. By the time the dust settled, the Cubs had racked up 13 hits, with Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong each chipping in with multi-hit games in the 8-0 blowout.
While the offense was loud, Matthew Boyd was quietly dominant. The veteran lefty was exactly what the doctor ordered for a rotation that had scuffled recently. Over six masterful innings, Boyd scattered just four hits, striking out seven Cardinals and, most impressively, issuing zero walks. He kept hitters off balance all night, commanding the zone and preventing St. Louis from ever mounting a serious threat. It was a vintage performance that not only secured a win but also provided a massive boost of confidence for the entire pitching staff.
Just a day after a costly mental mistake contributed to a loss, all eyes were on young center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. He responded exactly how you'd hope a future star would. PCA bounced back with a multi-hit performance and played a clean, solid center field, earning praise from manager Craig Counsell and his teammates for his resilience. His ability to flush a bad moment and contribute to a big win is a testament to his character and a microcosm of the team's own bounce-back performance.
The commanding win pushes the Cubs to 47-33 and solidifies their spot atop the NL Central. It's a victory that speaks to the team's current strength and future potential. News from the farm system revealed the Cubs still boast seven Top 100 prospects—tied for the most in baseball—even after the blockbuster Kyle Tucker trade. This incredible depth, highlighted by farm director Jason Kanzler, gives the front office immense flexibility at the trade deadline. The organization's patient approach was also on display, with Counsell noting a young pitcher's demotion to Triple-A was a strategic move to help him reset, proving they are building for sustained success, not just a single season.
With the losing streak firmly in the rearview mirror and an ace-like performance from Matthew Boyd, the Cubs have a chance to win a crucial series in St. Louis. As the trade deadline approaches, their deep farm system gives them options, but Thursday's game was a powerful reminder that the talent to win the NL Central is already right here in the big-league clubhouse.
