Cardinals fall to Cubs 8-4 on June 23, 2025, as Sonny Gray struggles on the mound. Despite a homer from Ivan Herrera, St. Louis couldn't overcome the deficit.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Well, that's not the start to the series we were hoping for. The much-anticipated four-game set against the Chicago Cubs kicked off with a thud on Monday night, as the Cardinals fell 8-4 at Busch Stadium. In a game where the Cardinals needed their ace to set the tone, Sonny Gray had a rare off night, putting the team in an early hole they just couldn't climb out of.
Sonny Gray struggled, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) over 4.1 innings, a rare blemish on his otherwise stellar season.
The story of the night really begins and ends on the mound with Sonny Gray. It was a tough watch for Cardinals fans accustomed to seeing him dominate. Gray labored through 4.1 innings, surrendering 6 runs (5 earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 5. The Cubs, led by a scorching-hot Kyle Tucker who went 3-for-5 with a homer and 3 RBIs, were all over him from the start. It's a reminder that even the best can have a bad day, but in a key divisional matchup, it stings a little more.
While the pitching struggled, there were some positive takeaways from the batter's box. Brendan Donovan continues to be a professional hitter, lacing a double as part of a 2-for-4 night that drove in two runs. Ivan Herrera also provided a spark, launching his fifth home run of the season into the left-field seats. The offense scraped together four runs, but against a relentless Cubs attack, it simply wasn't enough to dig out of the early deficit. The bullpen managed to keep things from getting completely out of hand, allowing two more runs over the final 4.2 innings.
With the team in the middle of a grueling 17-game stretch without a day off, the front office is looking for reinforcements. Prior to the game, the Cardinals recalled right-hander Roddery Muñoz from Triple-A Memphis. The 24-year-old has been impressive, posting a 3.62 ERA with 72 strikeouts in just under 65 innings, and he'll provide some much-needed depth. And if you're looking for more good news from the farm, look no further than Tekoah Roby. The Memphis starter was named The Cardinal Nation's Player of the Day after a masterful performance on Sunday: 6 shutout innings with 9 strikeouts and only 2 hits allowed. It's a glimpse of the high-end talent waiting in the wings.
One game doesn't define a series, but this loss puts the pressure on. The Cardinals, now 42-37, need to flush this one quickly and come back ready to even the series on Tuesday. With three games left against their rivals, bouncing back is critical to stay afloat in the tight NL Central race. We'll see if the bats can stay warm and if the starting rotation can get back on track.
