Cardinals sweep the White Sox on June 19, 2025, after a 5-4 comeback win. Willson Contreras's tying HR and Yohel Pozo's clutch hit sparked the sweep.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when it looked like the Cardinals were headed for a frustrating doubleheader split, Willson Contreras stepped to the plate and changed everything. With a single swing in the eighth inning of Game 1, Contreras launched a game-tying two-run blast, setting the stage for a dramatic 5-4 comeback win and sparking a doubleheader sweep of the Chicago White Sox that felt like a statement.
Reliever Steven Matz struck out four batters in the sixth inning of Game 1, becoming just the second Cardinals pitcher to accomplish the feat, joining the legendary Bob Gibson.
Down 4-2 and running out of time in the opener, the Cardinals' offense came alive. The rally started with Willson Contreras, who continued his torrid June by crushing a two-run homer to tie the game. But the heroics didn't stop there. After a walk and a single, backup catcher Yohel Pozo, in a rare high-leverage spot, delivered the biggest hit of his season—a pinch-hit RBI single that plated the go-ahead run. It was a clutch performance from an unlikely source, proving the 'next man up' mentality is alive and well in the St. Louis dugout.
With the momentum from Game 1, the Cardinals wasted no time in the nightcap. Alec Burleson provided the big blow, launching his seventh home run of the season, a three-run shot to left field that gave St. Louis an early cushion. Not to be outdone, the man of the hour, Willson Contreras, chipped in with a two-run double in the fourth, pushing the lead to 6-1 and effectively putting the game away. It was a complete offensive performance to cap a perfect day, with primary catcher Ivan Herrera getting a well-deserved rest after starting every game since May 10.
While the bats provided the late drama, the bullpen delivered moments of both relief and history. Ryan Helsley, who had endured a brutal stretch with three straight blown saves, looked like his old self, firing a perfect, 10-pitch ninth inning to lock down his 14th save. The clean outing was a massive confidence boost for the closer. Earlier, Steven Matz made team history by striking out four batters in the sixth inning, a feat only previously accomplished by Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. It was a dominant frame that kept the Cardinals within striking distance.
A doubleheader sweep is a massive boost for any team, but this one felt different. With comeback heroics, a resurgent closer, a historic pitching moment, and power up and down the lineup, the Cardinals showcased their resilience and depth. As the team looks to build on this momentum, the performance of key veterans like Contreras and Helsley, combined with contributions from players like Pozo and Burleson, provides a winning formula. With top prospects like Tekoah Roby waiting in the wings, the future—both immediate and long-term—suddenly looks even brighter in St. Louis.
