Cardinals beat Pirates 5-3 on June 30, 2025, as Jordan Walker & Nolan Gorman homer. Sonny Gray shines on the mound. Recap the power surge in Pittsburgh!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The St. Louis Cardinals kicked off their series in Pittsburgh with a bang, riding the long ball to a 5-3 victory over the Pirates. Young sluggers Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman provided the fireworks, showcasing the kind of power that has Cardinals fans dreaming of a deep playoff run as the team improved to 45-36 on the year.
I’m just trying to stay aggressive and help this team win every night.
The story of Monday night was the offense provided by the youth movement. Jordan Walker was the undisputed star, going 3-for-4 with a crucial two-run homer that put the Cardinals ahead. His postgame comments about staying aggressive have already gone viral, perfectly capturing his approach. Not to be outdone, Nolan Gorman launched a solo shot of his own in the sixth inning, providing a key insurance run. With key players like Masyn Winn also healthy and contributing, the core of this team is firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.
While the homers grabbed the headlines, Sonny Gray's performance on the mound was the foundation of the win. The ace was masterful, tossing 6.2 innings of two-run ball while striking out eight Pirates. Gray's outing is just the latest in a string of dominant performances from the Cardinals' starters. Over the last 15 games, the rotation boasts a sparkling 2.98 ERA, the third-best mark in all of baseball during that stretch. With a bullpen anchored by Ryan Helsley, who notched his 24th save, the pitching staff is looking formidable.
As the team racks up wins, all eyes are turning to the front office and the looming trade deadline. For now, the roster remains stable, with management reportedly evaluating their needs. Adding to the intrigue is the scorching-hot performance of top prospect JJ Wetherholt in Double-A. After homering again over the weekend, Wetherholt is on an 11-game hitting streak and slashing .312/.389/.521 for the season. His continued success presents a compelling internal option, giving the Cardinals flexibility as they decide whether to add external pieces or call up the next potential star from Springfield.
Closing out June on a high note, the Cardinals are in an enviable position. They're healthy, their young hitters are producing, the rotation is elite, and a top prospect is forcing his way into the conversation. As they head into a critical July stretch before the All-Star break, the team is playing its best baseball of the season. The coming weeks will not only define their place in the standings but also clarify the front office's strategy for the final push.
