Overview
- The series opener at Busch Stadium was delayed by storms and eventually started later Monday night after a 1 hour 46 minute rain delay, with the Cubs beating the Cardinals 7-3.
- Alex Bregman had four hits including a homer and two doubles and Nico Hoerner also collected four hits and a ninth-inning two-run homer to help Chicago total 14 hits.
- David Peterson allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings to earn the win while Matthew Liberatore took the loss after giving up three runs in 3 2/3 innings.
- St. Louis’s offense has struggled since the All‑Star break, a slump that has pushed the Cardinals toward trade-deadline speculation about players such as Lars Nootbaar, JoJo Romero and Dustin May.
- The rain delay highlighted scheduling risks for the four-game set because a postponement would force a doubleheader or reshuffle starts, straining rotations and bullpens that are already affected by multiple 15- and 60-day injured‑list placements.