The St. Louis Cardinals bounced back from a tough loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday with an impressive offensive display in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday. The Cardinals will look to carry that momentum into the finale of their four-game series against the Cubs on Sunday, their last game before the All-Star break.
After scoring just one run in the previous game, the Cardinals exploded for 16 runs on 24 hits in the doubleheader, showcasing their offensive firepower. Manager Oliver Marmol emphasized the importance of finishing strong before the break.
In Game 1 of the doubleheader, the Cardinals scored nine runs in the first inning, setting the tone for the rest of the day. Masyn Winn and Willson Contreras each hit a solo homer in Game 2, with Nolan Arenado delivering a crucial two-run single in the eighth inning to secure a 5-4 win for St. Louis.
On the mound for the Cardinals on Sunday will be Miles Mikolas, who has been in fine form recently after making adjustments to his pitching mechanics. Mikolas has been solid in his last two starts, allowing just two runs in over 12 innings of work.
Mikolas previously faced the Cubs on June 16, earning a 2-1 victory while surrendering only one run in 6 1/3 innings. He has a solid track record against Chicago, boasting a 6-4 record with a 2.62 ERA in 22 career appearances.
The Cubs will counter with Jameson Taillon, who has also been pitching well as of late. Taillon has won his last two starts this month while posting a 2.77 ERA. He has faced the Cardinals twice this season, with mixed results.
Chicago will be without reliever Luke Little, who was placed on the injured list with a shoulder strain. The Cubs recalled Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa to bolster their bullpen for Sunday’s game.
Injury concerns also loom for the Cardinals, as center fielder Michael Siani exited the first game of the doubleheader with an elbow contusion. His status for Sunday’s game remains uncertain.
As the Cardinals and Cubs wrap up their series, both teams will be looking to head into the All-Star break on a positive note. With solid pitching matchups on tap, Sunday’s game promises to be an exciting conclusion to the series.
