Cardinals rout White Sox 12-2 behind Iván Herrera's heroics. Can ace Sonny Gray secure the series win for St. Louis on June 18? See our game preview.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you were ready to sound the alarms, the Cardinals offense roared to life. After sputtering to just six runs over three games, St. Louis dropped a dozen on the White Sox in a 12-2 rout. The question now, as Sonny Gray gets the ball tonight, is which version of this lineup will show up? Was last night's outburst a breakthrough or just a blip?
Iván Herrera's clutch two-run single was the dagger, turning a comfortable lead into an absolute rout and showing what this offense is capable of.
Last night's offensive onslaught was a team effort, but catcher Iván Herrera delivered the biggest blows. His two-run single in the middle innings, coming off a 91.5 mph fastball from Tyler Alexander, was the exclamation point on a much-needed victory. It was his second two-RBI hit of the game, a clutch performance that underscores his growing importance to this lineup. When players like Herrera, Brendan Donovan (.323 avg), and Masyn Winn get on base and drive in runs, it takes immense pressure off the middle of the order.
To secure the series win, the Cardinals turn to their ace, Sonny Gray. Sporting a 7-2 record and a 3.84 ERA, Gray has been the steady hand the rotation desperately needed. He'll face White Sox starter Shane Burke (3-7, 4.71 ERA), a matchup that heavily favors St. Louis on paper. However, the bats need to provide support. Willson Contreras (9 HR, 45 RBIs) will be looking to get back on track and provide the power threat the team relies on. A win tonight is crucial for a team sitting 4th in the NL Central and looking to make a move.
While the big-league club fights for consistency, the future looks increasingly bright. Down on the farm, new head of baseball operations Chaim Bloom's focus on depth is bearing fruit. 2024 first-round pick JJ Wetherholt is turning heads with his power-contact combo, and a new wave of arms led by Quinn Mathews and Tink are emerging as legitimate rotation prospects. With international prospect Yairo Padilla also expected to debut stateside this year, the pipeline is being restocked with high-impact talent. It's a comforting thought for fans, knowing that help is on the way.
Tonight's game is more than just another date on the schedule; it's a test of this team's identity. Can they build on last night's success and give Sonny Gray the run support he deserves? A victory would signal a potential turning point, proving that the Cardinals' offense can be a consistent force rather than a fleeting spectacle. Let's hope the bats stay awake in Chicago.
