The Chicago Cubs are on a tear, belting a home run in nine straight games. That’s a season high. The last time they pulled off a run like this? Back in 2024. Before that, you have to dig into 2023 and 2021 for longer stretches. The 2021 streak dragged on for 16 games straight, falling just one shy of the team record set in 1998. This power surge hits right as the team rolls into St. Louis. Reports show this marks their 27th series of four or more games at Busch Stadium since 1962. That history matters, sure, but the current hot bat matters more.
Check the matchup on the mound tonight. Colin Rea takes the hill for the Cubs. He keeps plugging along and eats up five or six innings per start. He usually allows three or four runs. But here is the shocker: the current Cardinals lineup is batting just .119 against him. That’s 7 hits in 59 at-bats. They have zero home runs and 17 strikeouts against Rea. Until this moment, he had not played against the Cardinals during the current year. The stats say the St. Louis bats will struggle to get on base. According to Bleed Cubbie Blue, Rea keeps the Cardinals from doing much of anything.
The Cardinals Count on Consistency
Michael McGreevy will start for the St. Louis Cardinals. He’s been the most consistent starter for them all year. In 13 out of his 20 starts, he surrendered two runs or less. He doesn’t walk many batters. He keeps the game close. The Cubs need to score early against him. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm central time. The game will air on Cardinals.tv. The Cubs have won the first two games of a series four times in history. The last time was 2023. It marked the sole occasion where they secured victories in the first three consecutive games. They need that kind of start again.
Offensively, the Cubs have some players on long hot streaks. At present, both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki are maintaining 15-game on-base streaks. Earlier this year, Nico Hoerner saw his streak conclude after reaching 15 games. Suzuki had a streak of 16 games. Michael Busch had streaks of 19 and 27 games. Pete Crow-Armstrong had one that went 28 games. Happ had a massive 30-game streak. These players are getting on base. They are putting pressure on the Cardinals defense. When they get on base, the home run hitters behind them have a chance to drive them in.
Why This Matters
The Cubs are riding high after a big win over the Phillies. Manny Trillo hit a three-run homer in the 11th inning to give them a 5-2 win. That happened 50 years ago today, on Wednesday, July 28, 1976. The team is 13-14 in first games of a series since 2007. But they are 6-4 in the last 10 first games. They are 5-4 in second games. They are 11-15 overall in these series. The momentum is with the Cubs right now. They have the power and the on-base skills. The Cardinals have a pitcher who cannot stop them from getting on base. But they also have a starter who eats innings.
The Cubs need to take advantage of the Rea matchup. If they score early, they can control the game. The Cardinals lineup is cold against Rea. They have no power against him. The Cubs should feel good about this game. They have the momentum. They have the stats on their side. The team is 6-4 in the last 10 first games. They are trying to win the first three games again. They have done it once since 2007. This is their chance to do it again. The home run streak is real. The on-base streaks are real. The pitching mismatch is real.
What happens Tuesday night? The Cubs have the edge. They hit home runs in nine straight games. They face a pitcher who has held the Cardinals to .119. The Cardinals have a good starter, but the Cubs are hot. The Cubs have won the first two games four times. They need to win the first three to make history. The fans will see a lot of action. The game starts at 6:45pm. It will be a good one. The Cubs are ready. The Cardinals are in trouble. The stats do not lie. The Cubs are the team to watch.
