A Foggy Night at Wrigley
The Cardinals and Cubs met under unusually dense fog on Saturday night, a condition that forced a 15‑minute delay after the sixth inning and pushed the first pitch back an hour because of lingering rain. Despite the murky conditions, the game unfolded without a single misplay, underscoring the resilience of both teams.
St. Louis broke the deadlock early when rookie JJ Wetherholt launched a leadoff homer and later added a double, a combination that helped the Cardinals build a 2‑0 lead. His performance not only contributed directly to the scoring but also set a franchise record for the most leadoff homers by a rookie in Cardinals history.
Veteran left‑hander Kyle Leahy answered the call on the mound, delivering five crisp innings in which he allowed just three singles, struck out six batters and walked two. His composure was a key factor in keeping the Cubs’ offense at bay.
The Cardinals’ offense was bolstered by RBIs from Ivan Herrera and Alec Burleson, the latter driving in the third run with a timely hit in the eighth. Jordan Walker’s leadoff double in that same inning set the stage for Burleson’s decisive contribution.
Relief pitchers George Soriano, Ryne Stanek, JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien each tossed a scoreless frame, preserving the shutout. Meanwhile, Cubs starter Shota Imanaga struggled, surrendering two runs on four hits and three walks over 4 2/3 innings.
Even with the fog hanging over the field, Chicago’s All‑Star center fielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong managed to reach base four times, but the Cardinals’ bullpen held firm. The team’s defense was flawless, highlighted by Dansby Swanson’s lofted drive that Lars Nootbar caught against the left‑center wall.
The victory marked the Cardinals’ third straight win and fifth in six games, extending their momentum as they prepare for Sunday’s series finale. St. Louis will send left‑hander Matthew Liberatore to the mound against Cubs right‑hander Javier Assad.