The Cardinals' pitching has shut down the Dodgers, allowing just 1 run in 2 games. After Nolan Arenado's walk-off win, can STL sweep LA on June 8, 2025?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Who saw this coming? In what was billed as a developmental year, the St. Louis Cardinals have not only won their series against the league-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, they've utterly dominated them. After two stunning victories fueled by lights-out pitching, the Cards are sending a top prospect to the mound today with a chance to complete a shocking sweep of baseball's most potent offense.
The Cardinals pitching staff has held the Dodgers, who lead MLB in scoring, home runs, and batting average, to just one run in 18 innings.
The story of this series has been the absolute masterclass from the Cardinals' pitching staff. After a 5-0 shutout on Friday, the Birds came back Saturday and did it again, holding the Dodgers to a single run in a dramatic 2-1 victory. The hero of the day was Nolan Arenado, who delivered a clutch pinch-hit RBI double in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off. To hold an offense that leads the majors in nearly every significant category to one run over two full games isn't just good; it's a statement of intent.
With a chance to complete the sweep, the Cardinals are turning to a fresh face. The team officially called up right-hander Michael McGreevy from the minors to make today's start. It's a massive vote of confidence in the club's No. 11 prospect, but he's earned it. In his only other big-league start this season on May 4, McGreevy was brilliant, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the Mets. Now, he gets the ultimate test: facing a frustrated Dodgers lineup and going toe-to-toe with future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw.
This series feels like more than just a couple of wins. It's a validation of the Cardinals' process. The pitching, which has been a strength all season, has proven it can compete on an elite level. The offense is finding ways to manufacture runs when it matters most. And with prospects like McGreevy stepping up and performing on the biggest stage, the 'developmental year' narrative is quickly being rewritten. This team isn't just building for the future; they're contending in the present.
A series win against the Dodgers is already a massive success, but a sweep would be a statement to the rest of the National League. It would prove that this Cardinals team is not just a feel-good story in a developmental year, but a legitimate contender whose pitching can shut down anyone. All eyes are on McGreevy today to see if he can cap off a truly unforgettable weekend at Busch.
