Freddy Peralta's mastery and William Contreras' clutch hitting led the Brewers to a 3-2 win over the Cardinals on June 14, 2025. Recap the NL Central thriller!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
There's something special about Freddy Peralta pitching at American Family Field, and Saturday was another masterpiece. In a tense divisional showdown, 'Fast Freddy' was absolutely electric, guiding the Milwaukee Brewers to a nail-biting 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The win tightens the Crew's grip on second place in the NL Central and showcased the formula that has made them so tough to beat: dominant starting pitching and just enough timely hitting.
Freddy Peralta improved to a staggering 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA in seven home starts this season.
Freddy Peralta was the undisputed star of the show. Over six masterful innings, he allowed just one run while striking out six Cardinals hitters and surrendering only four hits. He commanded the zone, kept hitters off balance, and once again proved that the mound at American Family Field is his personal fortress. His performance not only set the tone for the entire game but also lowered his home ERA to an almost unbelievable 1.09. When Peralta takes the ball in Milwaukee, it's becoming an event you can't miss.
While Peralta handled the pitching, William Contreras handled the run production. The All-Star catcher was the offensive catalyst, driving in two of the team's three runs. His RBI double in the fourth inning got the Brewers on the board, and his sacrifice fly in the sixth provided what would ultimately be the winning run. Christian Yelich also chipped in with an RBI on a fielder's choice. It wasn't an offensive explosion, but with Peralta dealing, their clutch hitting was all that was needed.
The win was a snapshot of the Brewers' current pitching situation: excellence, anxiety, and excitement. Trevor Megill made things interesting in the ninth by allowing a run but ultimately slammed the door for the save. Looking forward, the reliable Jose Quintana gets the ball next, offering stability. However, the news isn't all good, as Brandon Woodruff's rehab from shoulder surgery has been paused due to ankle tendinitis, leaving a major question mark in the rotation's future. On the bright side, top prospect Jacob Misiorowski continues to look like a future flamethrower, dominating hitters in Triple-A and giving fans a glimpse of a potential late-season reinforcement.
Looking ahead, the Crew will send the steady Jose Quintana to the mound to face Andre Pallante, aiming for a crucial series win. Every divisional game feels magnified, especially with the pitching staff's current state of flux. While Woodruff's absence looms, the emergence of a future ace in Misiorowski and the continued brilliance of Peralta provide plenty of reason for optimism. This team knows how to grind out wins, and they'll need every bit of that grit to keep climbing the NL Central standings.
