Cubs crush Cardinals 11-3 on July 4, 2025, setting a franchise record with 8 homers. Michael Busch's 3 HRs led the historic Wrigleyville power surge.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It wasn't just fireworks lighting up the sky over Wrigley Field on the Fourth of July. The Chicago Cubs provided their own pyrotechnics, launching a franchise-record eight home runs to absolutely demolish the rival St. Louis Cardinals 11-3. In one of the most explosive offensive displays in team history, the Cubs cemented their place atop the NL Central and sent a thunderous message to the rest of the league.
A franchise-record eight home runs in a single game, including six in the first three innings alone.
The offensive onslaught was relentless from the start. Michael Busch had a career night for the ages, going 4-for-4 with three home runs and five RBIs, single-handedly outscoring the Cardinals. Not to be outdone, center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong also went 4-for-4, crushing two homers of his own. The long-ball party didn't stop there, as Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki, and Carson Kelly all added solo shots to the record-setting tally. While the bats were booming, starter Colin Rea was quietly dominant, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning and allowing just one run over 6 2/3 masterful frames to earn the win.
The euphoria of Friday's win was tempered slightly by Saturday's roster news. The Cubs placed veteran starter Jameson Taillon on the 15-day injured list with a right calf strain. Taillon has been a reliable arm in the rotation, and his absence creates a significant hole. To fill the immediate roster spot, the team recalled lefty Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa. While Wicks provides a capable option, Taillon's injury amplifies the team's need for starting pitching depth as they push toward the postseason.
With Taillon's injury highlighting a clear need, all eyes turn to the front office and the approaching trade deadline. The Cubs are expected to be aggressive buyers, and reports suggest top outfield prospect Owen Caissie is the most likely player to be moved to acquire a top-tier starting pitcher. Names like Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly are being floated as potential targets. Parting with a powerful bat like Caissie is a tough pill to swallow, but landing a true ace could be the final piece of the championship puzzle.
The very reason the Cubs can consider trading a top prospect like Caissie is the remarkable health of their farm system. Even after dealing Cam Smith in the Kyle Tucker trade, the organization boasts seven players in MLB's Top 100 prospects, tied for the most in baseball. This incredible depth, particularly at the upper levels, gives the front office immense flexibility. They can make a blockbuster trade without mortgaging the entire future, a luxury that few contending teams possess.
While fans are still buzzing from the historic power display, the front office is undoubtedly focused on the bigger picture. With Taillon sidelined and the trade deadline looming, the next few weeks will be critical. Will the Cubs leverage their deep farm system to land a frontline starter? The moves they make—or don't make—could be the difference between a fun summer run and a serious push for a World Series title. For now, the Cubs are the hottest team in baseball, and Wrigleyville is the place to be.
