The Chicago Cubs unleashed a relentless offensive barrage early, crushing the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 in a Saturday night rout that exposed the home team's pitching woes. Michael Busch led the charge with a monster performance, driving in three runs on two hits—including a towering home run—while Matt Shaw added a homer and two RBIs of his own. The Cubs' bats overwhelmed Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, chasing him after just 1.2 innings with seven hits and six runs, including a backbreaking three-run frame in the second. Even without flashy power numbers, Chicago's lineup wore down St. Louis with 14 hits total, as Dansby Swanson and Carson Kelly each collected three knocks in the lopsided affair.

Colin Rea delivered six sharp innings for the Cubs, allowing just one run while striking out six, as Chicago's bullpen slammed the door with three scoreless frames. The Cardinals' offense never found rhythm, managing only five singles against a Cubs staff that attacked the zone with precision. With the convincing win, the Cubs sent a statement in the NL Central race, while St. Louis—now reeling from their fifth loss in seven games—faces mounting questions about their pitching depth as the playoff push intensifies.

The Chicago Cubs unleashed a relentless offensive barrage early, crushing the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 in a Saturday night rout that exposed the home team's pitching woes. Michael Busch led the charge with a monster performance, driving in three runs on two hits—including a towering home run—while Matt Shaw added a homer and two RBIs of his own. The Cubs' bats overwhelmed Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, chasing him after just 1.2 innings with seven hits and six runs, including a backbreaking three-run frame in the second. Even without flashy power numbers, Chicago's lineup wore down St. Louis with 14 hits total, as Dansby Swanson and Carson Kelly each collected three knocks in the lopsided affair.

Colin Rea delivered six sharp innings for the Cubs, allowing just one run while striking out six, as Chicago's bullpen slammed the door with three scoreless frames. The Cardinals' offense never found rhythm, managing only five singles against a Cubs staff that attacked the zone with precision. With the convincing win, the Cubs sent a statement in the NL Central race, while St. Louis—now reeling from their fifth loss in seven games—faces mounting questions about their pitching depth as the playoff push intensifies.