Cardinals fall to Brewers 6-3 on June 15, 2025, despite a Willson Contreras homer. Christian Yelich's blast sinks St. Louis as their slump deepens.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another frustrating Sunday for Cardinals fans, as the team fell 6-3 to the Brewers, sealing a series loss in Milwaukee. The loss drops St. Louis to a precarious 36-35 on the season and extends a troubling slump. But amidst the gloom of another defeat, there were glimmers of hope: a key player returned to the lineup, a slugger stayed red-hot, and a top prospect on the farm sent a clear message that help could be on the way.
We need to execute better with runners in scoring position. The effort is there, but we have to find ways to finish innings and capitalize on opportunities.
The game's pivotal moment came in the third inning when Christian Yelich launched a three-run homer off starter Miles Mikolas, putting the Cardinals in a hole they couldn't climb out of. Mikolas battled for five innings but was tagged for five runs in total. The offense showed signs of life, with Masyn Winn doubling and scoring and Brendan Donovan collecting two more hits, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit. Brewers starter Quinn Priester kept the bats mostly quiet, and the Cardinals' bullpen allowed one more run to seal the 6-3 loss.
If there's one player who can't be blamed for the recent slide, it's Willson Contreras. The catcher blasted his 10th home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth, extending his hitting streak to seven games. He now leads the team with 45 RBIs. 'Willson's been a spark for us,' manager Oliver Marmol said postgame. Meanwhile, Brendan Donovan continues to be a model of consistency. His 2-for-4 day pushed his batting average to an impressive .310, ranking him among the National League's elite hitters.
The best news of the day came before the first pitch, as the Cardinals activated infielder Tommy Edman from the injured list. Sidelined since late May with a hamstring strain, Edman was immediately inserted into the lineup at second base and made his presence felt, going 1-for-3 with a walk. His defensive versatility and switch-hitting bat have been sorely missed. To clear a roster spot, the club optioned José Fermín to Triple-A Memphis.
While the big-league club searches for answers, top pitching prospect Quinn Mathews delivered a stunning performance for Memphis. The left-hander carved up the opposition, striking out 10 batters over seven shutout innings. With his ERA now at 2.45, Mathews is making a compelling case that he could be a factor in St. Louis sooner rather than later. His dominance provides a welcome dose of optimism for the future of the rotation.
Beyond the diamond, the Cardinals took time to commemorate Juneteenth. The team wore special patches on their uniforms and used their social media platforms to share messages of unity and remembrance. 'Proud to honor those who paved the way,' outfielder Victor Scott II posted, capturing the spirit of the day's celebration. #Juneteenth #CardinalsCare.
As the dust settles on a tough series in Milwaukee, the Cardinals find themselves at a crossroads. The slump is real, but so are the pieces that could pull them out of it. With Edman back in the fold, Contreras and Donovan swinging hot bats, and a potential ace waiting in the wings in Memphis, the ingredients for a turnaround are there. Now, as Manager Marmol said, it all comes down to execution. The Birds will need to find it fast as they look to get back on track and climb back up the standings.
