The Cardinals fall to the Cubs 7-4 on June 25, 2025, as Seiya Suzuki's 3-run homer overshadows Masyn Winn's continued power surge. Read how one inning cost St. Louis.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of frustrating contrasts at Busch Stadium. While shortstop Masyn Winn continued his incredible power surge with another home run, the St. Louis Cardinals couldn't overcome a decisive fifth-inning blow from the Chicago Cubs, ultimately falling 7-4 in a game that felt bigger than just one loss in June.
Masyn Winn has now homered for the fourth time in his last eight games, continuing to be a major catalyst at the top of the Cardinals lineup.
The game was a tight affair until the fifth inning, when the familiar sting of a big inning cost the Cardinals dearly. With the game close, Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki launched a three-run homer that shifted all the momentum to the visitors' dugout, giving Chicago a 5-2 lead. Starter Erick Fedde (3-6) battled but was ultimately tagged with the loss, surrendering five runs and two homers over 5.1 innings. Despite a solid 2-for-4 night from Brendan Donovan and a spectacular diving play by Nolan Arenado, the offense couldn't deliver the big hit, stranding eight runners on base while the bullpen allowed two more late runs.
The brightest spot, not just for Wednesday but for the entire month, has been Masyn Winn. The shortstop's solo shot was his fourth homer in the last eight games, a stunning display of power from the top of the lineup. He's not just hitting for power; he's the engine of this offense, leading the team with 48 runs scored. Winn's transformation into a true offensive catalyst has been a revelation, providing a consistent spark even when the rest of the lineup sputters.
While the big league club took a loss, the future of the organization was flexing its muscle. The DSL Cardinals swept a doubleheader, highlighted by a 14-4 blowout win. More importantly, key prospects are making names for themselves. Pitcher Tekoah Roby is looking sharp after a tough 2024 and could be a factor in St. Louis later this season. Meanwhile, catcher Rainiel Rodriguez has been on an absolute tear, earning a promotion to Low-A Palm Beach with a staggering .355/.494/.839 slash line. The pipeline is humming, a welcome sign for the long-term health of the franchise.
Losing a series opener to a division rival is always tough, and falling 2.5 games back stings. The Cardinals need more consistent starting pitching and timely hitting to support the heroics of players like Masyn Winn. As the strong performances in the farm system show, reinforcements are on the way. The Redbirds will look to bounce back tomorrow and prove that this division race is far from over.
