Bregman's 4 hits lift Cubs to win over Cardinals

Cubs open series with rival Cardinals with big win
Key takeaways: Cubs 7, Cardinals 3
ST. LOUIS -- The players inside the Cubs’ clubhouse learned on Monday that starter Jameson Taillon had been designated for assignment. This marked yet another unexpected twist for a Chicago team that has faced many challenges this season. Despite these ups and downs, the Cubs maintained their winning momentum, securing a 7-3 victory over the rival Cardinals at Busch Stadium, positioning them as the National League's current Wild Card leaders.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell commented, "Look, I think we have shown that we can play at a high level. The best thing about a Major League season is you can’t fake your record, man, over 162 games. It’s too many games. And so, I feel like the teams that get to October, they’ve earned it. And we’ve got a long way to go with a challenging schedule. But, I think this group has shown a really good record. The stuff that happens, it happens to every team. I think there’s been periods during the season when we’ve been up against it pretty good, and during those periods especially, I think we’ve responded exceptionally well."

Here were three keys to Monday’s win:

1. Bregman flirts with a cycle
Alex Bregman, the veteran third baseman, sparked the Cubs’ offense with a four-hit performance against the Cardinals. He began the game strong, hitting a two-base hit in the first inning which followed a double from Seiya Suzuki, driving in the first run and marking the end of an 0-for-12 slump. In the third inning, Bregman belted a leadoff homer, his 11th of the season. He also contributed an opposite-field single in the fifth inning, setting up a two-run single from Nico Hoerner. Bregman finished his night with another double for his first four-hit game since April 15, 2025.

2. Another solid Peterson start
Cubs lefty David Peterson, looking to recover from a rough performance against the Cardinals earlier in the season, delivered a strong outing with 5 2/3 innings pitched, allowing two runs (one after his exit). The only run against him came from José Fermín's solo homer in the second inning. Peterson generated nine ground-ball outs and struck out three batters.

3. Hoerner heating up
Nico Hoerner also had a standout performance, adding a four-hit game of his own. He contributed a two-run single that helped shift the game's momentum, alongside other RBIs throughout the game. Hoerner's success continued a recent upswing in form, bringing his batting average to .432 over the past ten games, a significant increase compared to his earlier monthly performance.

With this win, the Cubs continued to remain in contention for the playoffs, showcasing their ability to bounce back from adversity.