Cardinals crush Cubs 8-2 on June 24, 2025, with a four-homer barrage. Alec Burleson stays hot and Matthew Liberatore shines in a big rivalry win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There's nothing quite like a summer evening at Busch Stadium when the Cardinals put on a show, especially against the Cubs. Tuesday night was one of those special occasions, as St. Louis blasted a season-high four home runs, overwhelming Chicago in a decisive 8-2 victory. The win, the team's sixth in seven games, wasn't just another notch in the belt; it was a statement that this team is firing on all cylinders.
Alec Burleson is slashing .410/.415/.718 with 10 RBIs during his current nine-game hitting streak.
The game was a tight affair until the Cardinals' bats exploded in the fifth inning. Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan delivered back-to-back two-run homers, turning a close game into a comfortable lead and sending the Busch Stadium crowd into a frenzy. Not to be outdone, Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman added solo shots of their own, showcasing the lineup's depth and power. While the offense grabbed the headlines, Matthew Liberatore was quietly dominant on the mound, tossing seven strong innings while allowing just two runs. And in a little bit of sweet revenge, former Cub Willson Contreras tormented his old club with three hits, boosting his average against them to a stellar .349 since he put on the Birds on the Bat.
Leading the charge during this recent surge has been Alec Burleson, who is playing the best baseball of his career. His fifth-inning homer was just the latest highlight in a torrid stretch. Burleson extended his hitting streak to nine games, and the numbers are simply eye-popping. He's not just getting singles; he's driving the ball with authority and becoming the consistent, middle-of-the-order threat the team has been looking for. His transformation into a reliable run producer has been a massive catalyst for the Cardinals' recent success.
The good news doesn't stop with the big-league club. The organization announced that right-hander Michael McGreevy, who owns a solid 2.70 ERA in the majors this season, will be recalled from Memphis to start the next game against the Cubs. This move is indicative of a larger trend: the farm system is brimming with talent ready to contribute. With 13 of the team's Top 30 prospects having 2025 ETAs—including promising arms like Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence, and Cooper Hjerpe, plus bats like Thomas Saggese and even 2024 first-rounder JJ Wetherholt—the Cardinals are building sustainable depth. The focus on bolstering the rotation from within is clear, and it provides a safety net and a source of future excitement.
With the team playing its best baseball of the season and a wave of reinforcements on the horizon, the vibe around the Cardinals is electric. All eyes will now turn to Michael McGreevy as he takes the mound against Jameson Taillon and the Cubs, looking to secure another crucial series win. If this week is any indication, the Cardinals are not just back in the fight; they're ready to make some serious noise.
