Cubs Ride Hot Streak Into Cardinals Series
Dansby Swanson's power surge fuels Chicago as St. Louis arrives amid a rebuild
The Cubs roll into Wrigley Field on a five-game winning streak, fresh off a 23-3 demolition of the Padres. Dansby swanson hit three home runs, including a grand slam, and drove in eight runs in that July 1 finale alone. Chicago now hosts St. Louis with the hottest bat in baseball leading the way.
The Cardinals arrive in a much different place. St. Louis gutted its roster over the winter, trading away Sonny Gray, William Contreras, Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan, and preseason forecasts had them penciled in for last in the NL Central.
That gap shows up in the standings, where the Cubs sit bunched with Milwaukee near the top and the Cardinals trail the pack. A series win at Wrigley would stretch the Cubs win streak to six and add distance in a tight division race.
Swanson's bat is the story to watch. Five homers and 11 RBIs over his last two games is the kind of surge that reshapes a series before the first pitch, and Cardinals pitching will have to find an answer fast.