Key Storylines
The National League’s most storied rivalry returns to Busch Stadium on a Sunday night that promises playoff implications. With the series knotted at 1‑1 after the Cardinals edged a 6‑5 thriller and the Cubs answered with a 6‑1 blowout, both clubs are eager to seize momentum before the schedule stretches through September 13.
NBC will televise the contest, while Peacock serves as the exclusive streaming home. Subscribers can choose between Peacock Premium, which carries ads and costs $10.99 per month, and Peacock Premium Plus, an ad‑free tier priced at $16.99 monthly. Annual plans offer a discount equivalent to receiving 12 months for the price of 10.
Pete Crow‑Armstrong stole the spotlight with a four‑hit performance that included a 444‑foot home run, underscoring his rising star status. The broadcast will also spotlight the pitching duel: Jordan Wicks, who enters the game at 0‑1 with a 16.62 ERA, versus Matthew Liberatore, sitting at 2‑3 with a 4.76 ERA.
Both starters bring recent struggles and promise. Wicks, a left‑hander, has been working to shake off a high ERA, while Liberatore, a right‑hander, aims to improve on a 4.76 ERA that has seen him alternate between the rotation and the bullpen. Their performances could set the tone for the remainder of the series.
Beyond the immediate matchup, the game is part of a broader MLB Sunday Night Baseball slate that runs into mid‑September, giving fans a steady stream of high‑profile contests. As the Cardinals and Cubs battle for early‑season bragging rights, the stakes are amplified by the growing popularity of streaming platforms that bring the action directly to viewers' screens.