Chicago, IL – July 5, 2025 – A classic National League Central rivalry takes center stage once more as the Chicago Cubs host the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the venerable Wrigley Field. This contest marks the finale of their three-game series, a matchup freighted with significance as both teams jockey for position in the competitive division. The game is slated for a 6:10 p.m. ET start time and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, bringing the storied atmosphere of Wrigley to a broad audience. Heading into Sunday, the Chicago Cubs hold a solid standing with a 53-36 record, while the St. Louis Cardinals trail at 48-42, making every game, particularly those within the division, crucial for their aspirations.
Pitching Showdown on the Mound
The pitching matchup presents an intriguing contrast in fortunes and recent form. The Chicago Cubs will send veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd to the mound. Boyd has been a cornerstone of stability for Chicago’s rotation this season, evidenced by his strong 8-3 record and impressive 2.65 ERA. His performance in recent weeks has been particularly noteworthy; he has limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts. This consistent effectiveness has been vital for the Cubs, providing reliability in a rotation that has faced challenges. Boyd’s ability to pitch deep into games and keep runs off the board will be paramount as the Cubs aim to secure a series victory.
Across the diamond, the St. Louis Cardinals will counter with right-hander Erick Fedde. Fedde’s 2025 campaign has proven more arduous than Boyd’s, reflected in his 3-8 record and a 4.56 ERA. Digging deeper into his statistical profile reveals some underlying concerns for the Cardinals; his expected ERA (xERA) stands at 5.42, suggesting that his actual ERA might even be outperforming underlying metrics, and his WHIP (Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched) of 1.42 indicates that he has allowed an average of nearly one-and-a-half baserunners per inning. Facing a Cubs lineup that has been hot, Fedde will need to defy these season-long trends and deliver one of his strongest outings to give the Cardinals a chance. The pressure is significant on both starters, but particularly on Fedde to navigate the Cubs’ recent offensive surge.
Extensive Injury Report for Both Teams
Health has presented significant hurdles for both the Cubs and the Cardinals heading into this crucial divisional clash, impacting roster depth and strategic flexibility. The Chicago Cubs have seen a substantial portion of their pitching staff sidelined, alongside a key position player. Catcher Miguel Amaya is currently on the 10 Day Injured List due to an Oblique issue. The pitching staff’s depth has been severely tested with starting pitcher Jameson Taillon on the 15 Day IL with a Calf injury. Furthermore, the Cubs have multiple arms on the lengthy 60 Day IL: reliever Eli Morgan (Elbow), starting pitcher Justin Steele (Elbow), and reliever Javier Assad (Oblique). These long-term injuries have forced the Cubs to rely heavily on healthy members of their rotation and bullpen, placing added pressure on performers like Matthew Boyd.
The St. Louis Cardinals are also grappling with critical injuries, including uncertainty surrounding a perennial All-Star. Third baseman Nolan Arenado is listed as day-to-day with a Shoulder Impingement, a status that leaves his potent bat in the middle of the Cardinals’ lineup in doubt for the series finale. Key players on the Cardinals’ injured list include infielder Jordan Walker, who is recovering from Appendicitis; catcher Iván Herrera, sidelined with a Hamstring issue; and pitcher Zack Thompson, dealing with a Lat injury. The absence of these players impacts the Cardinals’ hitting, catching depth, and pitching options, forcing manager Oliver Marmol to adjust lineups and pitching plans accordingly. The health of key players, or lack thereof, looms large over this Sunday night matchup.
Recent Offensive and Pitching Trends
The Chicago Cubs arrive with significant momentum driven by a recent surge in offensive production. Over their last 10 games, the Cubs have showcased impressive power, collectively hitting 20 home runs. This power display has contributed to a robust .501 slugging percentage during this stretch, indicating the team’s ability to hit for extra bases and drive in runs efficiently.
Individual performances have been particularly instrumental in this offensive uptick. Infielder Michael Busch has been on a torrid pace, batting an exceptional .472 over his last 10 contests. His power has been evident with six home runs and 12 runs batted in during this span, making him one of the league’s hottest hitters. Catcher Carson Kelly has also provided a significant boost from behind the plate and in the lineup, hitting .406 with five doubles and two home runs in his last 10 games. Their consistent production has been a driving force behind the Cubs’ recent success.
Remarkably, despite the extensive injuries to their pitching staff, the Cubs’ hurlers have managed to perform effectively as a unit. Over their last 10 outings, the Chicago Cubs pitching staff has posted a solid 2.83 ERA. This suggests that the healthy pitchers and those called upon from the minor leagues have stepped up admirably, mitigating the impact of the significant injuries and keeping the team competitive.
The St. Louis Cardinals, though facing their own injury challenges, will need to find ways to generate offense against a Cubs pitching staff that has been surprisingly stingy recently, and get a strong performance from Fedde to counter Chicago’s red-hot bats and recent pitching success.
As these historic rivals prepare to meet for the final time this weekend, the stage is set for a compelling conclusion. The intertwining narratives of a pivotal pitching matchup, significant injury concerns for both sides, and contrasting recent performance trends ensure that the 6:10 p.m. ET game at Wrigley Field on ESPN will be a keenly watched affair, potentially impacting the direction of the NL Central race.
