The St. Louis Cardinals are gearing up for what might be the biggest series of their season, and it all starts Monday night at Busch Stadium. It’s four games against the division-leading Chicago Cubs. This series just might determine the fates of these two teams, yes, in late June. Will the Red Birds trust a rookie pitcher to take the mound in one of these vital games?
Can the Cardinals trust a Rook in this Pivotal Series?
Let’s break it down. The Cardinals are sitting at 42-36, good for third place in the division. The Cubs are holding the top spot with a 46-31 record. That’s just a 4.5-game difference, and in a four-game set? That’s ground you can actually make up. Take three, maybe even all four, and suddenly we’re having a very different conversation about this team.
Right now, the Cardinals walking along the edge of a razor blade. One shift a little in either direction (wins or loses) could determine if they’re buyers or sellers as the MLB trade deadline creeps closer. And that’s what makes this series so important. Win big, and the front office might lean toward adding pieces. Drop the series? The tone changes completely. It’s a fork-in-the-road moment, and it’s playing out in real time this week.
Rookie Pitcher?
Now here’s where it gets even more interesting — according to Katie Woo of The Athletic, there’s a strong chance right-hander Michael McGreevy gets the start on Tuesday. Not confirmed yet, but it’s “likely,” and given what we’ve seen from McGreevy in limited action — just five earned runs allowed over 16 2/3 innings this season — he’s definitely someone who can keep the Cards in the game.
Also worth watching: Alec Burleson and Nolan Gorman. With Iván Herrera back on the IL, both are expected to see more time in the lineup. And with the way they’ve been swinging it lately? That’s a good thing. The Cardinals need consistent offense, and these two might just deliver it.
This series isn’t just about bragging rights or beating the Cubs — though let’s be honest, that’s always fun. It’s about momentum, perception, and positioning. It’s about whether this team steps up and shows it belongs in the division race — or fades into that midseason murkiness that leaves everyone guessing.
Game one’s on deck. Let’s see what kind of statement the Cardinals, and rookie pitcher McGreevy, make.
