Cardinals swept by Blue Jays, losing 5-2 on June 11, 2025. Matthew Liberatore takes the loss as an injury to Brendan Donovan adds to St. Louis's woes.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a grim Wednesday afternoon at Busch Stadium as the St. Louis Cardinals fell 5-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays, sealing a dispiriting three-game sweep. The loss marks the team's fourth straight defeat and their first time being swept on home turf since April 2024. What started with a flicker of hope ended with a familiar feeling of offensive futility and defensive miscues, leaving fans to wonder where the team goes from here.
The Cardinals managed just five hits in the loss, capping a series where the offense looked completely outmatched.
For a moment, it looked like the Cardinals might salvage the series. Catcher Yohel Pozo launched his second home run of the season in the second inning, giving St. Louis a promising 2-0 lead. But the good feeling was short-lived. The Blue Jays erupted for four runs in the fourth, aided by a crucial Cardinals error. A Bo Bichette sacrifice fly and a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. RBI single did the damage, flipping the game on its head. Starter Matthew Liberatore was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs (three earned) in five innings, while the Cardinals' bats fell silent once again.
To make a bad day worse, the Cardinals were without their most consistent offensive weapon. Infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan was sidelined with a sore big left toe sustained in Tuesday's contest. The team is anxiously awaiting MRI results to determine the severity of the injury. Losing your team leader in batting average (.310) and hits (77) is a devastating blow for a lineup that is already struggling to produce runs.
If there's a panic button, manager Oli Marmol isn't pushing it yet. Instead, he's handing the ball to his ace. The team announced that Sonny Gray (7-1, 3.35 ERA) will take the mound Thursday to open a crucial series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cardinals are desperate for a 'stopper,' and Gray is their man. He'll face a unique challenge in Jacob Misiorowski, a hard-throwing prospect making his Major League debut for Milwaukee.
While the major league club sputters, there is a wave of talent developing down on the farm. The organization's future remains bright, with 13 of their Top 30 prospects projected to debut in 2025. Names like Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence, Thomas Saggese, and Cooper Hjerpe offer hope for the years to come. Even sooner, 2024 first-round pick JJ Wetherholt could force his way to St. Louis this summer if his meteoric rise continues, providing a potential spark when the team needs it most.
The Cardinals are at a crossroads. A four-game skid capped by a demoralizing home sweep has the fanbase on edge. Now, facing a division leader, the pressure is immense. Thursday's game isn't just about stopping a losing streak; it's a test of this team's resolve. All of St. Louis will be holding its breath, hoping their ace can deliver and pull the team back from the brink.
