The Chicago Cubs proved they belong in the playoff hunt with a 7-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night. This victory keeps the North Siders as the current leaders in the National League Wild Card race. The squad showed grit even after losing veteran starter Jameson Taillon to a designation for assignment earlier that day. Per MLB.com Cubs, the players learned of Taillon’s status before the game but used it as fuel to win.
Bregman Steps Up Big
Alex Bregman was the hero of the night with a rare four-hit performance. The veteran third baseman had been stuck in an 0-for-12 slump before this game at Busch Stadium. He broke out in the first inning by hitting a slider from Matthew Liberatore up the left-field line. That hit drove in a run and snapped his cold streak immediately.
Bregman followed that with a leadoff home run in the third inning off the same pitcher. He added an opposite-field single in the fifth and a double in the ninth. He fell just short of the cycle when he missed a triple in the final frame. This was his first four-hit game since April 15, 2025.
Peterson Finds His Groove
Lefty David Peterson pitched 5 2/3 innings to earn the win for Chicago. His season ERA looked scary at 5.57 before this outing, but that number told a misleading story. According to MLB.com Cubs, ten of his 13 earned runs came from just one bad start against these same Cardinals on July 3.
Peterson used this game as a bounce-back chance and delivered a strong performance. He kept the St. Louis hitters off balance for most of the night. His solid work gave the Cubs a comfortable lead to protect later in the game. (That July 3 outing had been the only blemish on his otherwise steady season).
A Team That Earns Its Stripes
“You can’t fake a record over 162 games in a Major League season,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters. He believes his team has proven they can play at a high level. Counsell noted that teams that reach October have truly earned their spot. He feels this group has responded exceptionally well during tough periods this year.
The manager admits the schedule remains challenging with a long way to go. But the win over their division rival shows the Cubs are ready for the fight. The team now looks ahead to a tough stretch against the Yankees, Dodgers, and Blue Jays starting July 31. How many teams can survive that gauntlet?
This win wasn’t just about one good player or one good pitcher. It was about a team that refuses to fold when things get rough. Losing a leader like Taillon could have derailed the whole day. Instead, the Cubs found a way to win on the road. That kind of resilience is exactly what playoff teams need to survive. The Wild Card race is tight, and every game matters now.
The Cubs have shown they can win even when the odds seem stacked against them. They’ve weathered storms and kept picking up wins. This victory over the Cardinals proves they are serious contenders. Fans should expect more fights like this as the season moves forward. The road to October is long, but the Cubs are walking it with confidence.
