As the Cardinals prep for the Cubs on July 4, 2025, their offense thrives despite slumps from Gorman & Walker. See how Brendan Donovan is leading the charge.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Happy Fourth of July, Cardinals Nation! As we gear up for some holiday baseball against the Cubs, there's a fascinating story unfolding with this team. The St. Louis Cardinals boast one of the most productive offenses in all of baseball, yet two of their most promising young power hitters, Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker, are still trying to find their groove. It's a strange but encouraging paradox that speaks volumes about the team's depth and the incredible seasons being put together by some unsung heroes.
The Cardinals offense ranks seventh in runs scored and second in batting average, all while young sluggers Nolan Gorman and Jordan Walker have posted averages of .191 and .215, respectively.
Despite the high team rankings, the stat lines for Nolan Gorman (.191 AVG, 1 HR) and Jordan Walker (.215 AVG, high strikeout rate) have been a source of fan anxiety. However, the rest of the lineup has more than picked up the slack. Brendan Donovan is playing like a bona fide All-Star, Lars Nootbaar has solidified the leadoff spot since returning, and Ivan Herrera has been a revelation, providing a significant power boost. Add in the solid contributions from Alec Scott and Masyn Winn, and you have a recipe for success. Encouragingly, both Gorman and Walker have shown flashes recently, with clutch hits and triples that suggest a turnaround could be on the horizon.
While the big-league club competes, the front office is laser-focused on the future. With the fifth overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, the Cardinals have a golden opportunity to add a franchise-altering talent. Recent mock drafts from sources like MLB Pipeline suggest a major shakeup at the top, with several pitchers rising, giving St. Louis intriguing options. This pick is crucial for a farm system ranked 15th by Bleacher Report, especially with top arms like Tink Hence and Cooper Hjerpe on the IL. In a bold move, the team has already promoted 2024 first-rounder JJ Wetherholt straight to Double-A Springfield, signaling an aggressive approach to development.
All eyes turn to Wrigley Field today for a 2:20 pm ET first pitch. This afternoon's matchup is the rubber match of a five-game set, with the series currently tied 2-2. In what's always a heated rivalry, this Fourth of July clash carries extra weight. Keep an eye on the hot hitters like Donovan and Nootbaar to see if they can continue to carry the offense and lead the Cardinals to a huge series win on enemy turf.
As the Cardinals take the field at Wrigley for a holiday showdown, fans have plenty to watch. In the short term, it's a pivotal rivalry game that could decide the series. But looking just beyond, the upcoming MLB Draft during All-Star week represents a massive opportunity to inject top-tier talent into the system. The biggest question remains: if this offense is already this good, what happens when—or if—Gorman and Walker truly catch fire? The answer could define the second half of the season.
