Cubs and Cardinals: A Battle for May Redemption
Chicago's Rollercoaster May: From Dominance to Slump and Back
The Chicago Cubs have experienced a tumultuous May, beginning with an impressive eight consecutive victories, which contributed to their second 10-game winning streak of the season. However, this early success was followed by a challenging period where manager Craig Counsell's squad lost 14 of their subsequent 16 games, including a particularly disheartening 10-game losing streak. Despite this setback, the Cubs have recently shown resilience, winning three of their last four games, securing a series victory against their long-standing rivals, the Cardinals, with a decisive 6-1 win on Saturday night.
Seiya Suzuki's Quest for Power: A Resurgence on the Horizon
Right fielder Seiya Suzuki is one player on the Cubs roster keen to end May on a high note, particularly as he has been grappling with a dip in his power hitting. His recent double on Saturday marked his first extra-base hit since May 15. In the previous season, Suzuki showcased his hitting prowess with 31 doubles and 32 home runs across 571 at-bats. This season, he has recorded five doubles and seven home runs in 168 at-bats, with his last home run dating back to May 8. Both Suzuki and the Cubs organization are optimistic that his recent performance signifies a turning point for the remainder of the season.
Cardinals' Pitching Woes: A Call for Extended Starts
The St. Louis Cardinals are in dire need of a victory, having lost five of their last six games. A crucial factor for their success hinges on a prolonged outing from left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who boasts a 2-3 record with a 4.76 ERA, in Sunday's game. This comes after Andre Pallante's brief three-inning start on Friday, which forced manager Oliver Marmol to deploy six relievers in their narrow 6-5 win. Similarly, Kyle Leahy's start on Saturday lasted only 4 1/3 innings, necessitating the use of four relievers to close out the game, ultimately resulting in a 6-1 loss where Cardinals relievers surrendered five runs, with only two being earned.
Liberatore's Record and Wicks' Opportunity: A Pitching Duel Anticipated
Matthew Liberatore has yet to pitch beyond six innings this season, with his most recent start against Milwaukee seeing him go five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks, despite striking out a career-high 10 batters. Throughout his career against the Cubs, Liberatore holds a 1-1 record with a 3.70 ERA over 10 appearances, four of which were starts. His last encounter with the Cubs was on July 5, 2025, where he pitched five innings, conceding two runs on four hits and four walks, ultimately receiving a no-decision in the Cardinals' 8-6 victory. For the Cubs, former first-round pick Jordan Wicks will make his second start of the season. His season debut on Tuesday saw him give up eight runs on nine hits in a 12-1 loss to Pittsburgh, lasting 4 1/3 innings with five strikeouts and one walk. Wicks has a clean record against the Cardinals in three appearances, including one start, having not allowed a run in eight innings. Last season, he made two relief appearances against St. Louis, notably securing a three-inning save in a 2-0 home win on September 28.