Jordan Walker’s hot July run elevates a puzzling Cardinals decision to sit him in a key series opener, stirring fan debate as St. Louis clings to a postseason push. Walker is batting .315 with a .797 OPS since July, leading the team’s July batting average and trailing only Willson Contreras in OPS, yet Oli Marmol benched him in favor of Lars Nootbaar. The club just capped back-to-back wins vs Dodgers and Cubs, but the move sparked backlash on X from supporters who view Walker as central to the youth movement and the club’s present or near-future success.

Meanwhile, the lineup battle highlights a broader theme: balancing immediate results with long-term development. Walker’s absence could ripple through fantasy rosters, particularly for managers relying on Cardinals outfield stability. As St. Louis remains 3.5 games out of the NL Wild Card, the Marmol decision becomes a talking point about how to evaluate upside versus current form in a pennant-race context.

The St. Louis Cardinals clawed past the Chicago Cubs 3-2 to take two of three in the set, fueled by Sonny Gray’s seven-inning gem and a late clutch knock from Nolan Gorman to push Jordan Walker across. Gorman kept his night from spiraling after an earlier miscue at third, delivering a two-out RBI single that handed the Cardinals the lead in the eighth. The Cubs answered with growth from their bullpen and a feud of power from Matt Shaw and Pedro Pages in the middle innings, but could not push across the decisive run after a sharp showing from Shota Imanaga.

Gray allowed five hits and two runs (one earned), tallying seven punchouts and one walk while facing a lineup that included Seiya Suzuki, Nico Hoerner, and Dansby Swanson for Chicago. Imanaga racked up nine strikeouts over 6.2 innings, surrendering just four hits but allowing three runs, including a Pedro Pages homer that briefly tied the game. Cardinals reliever JoJo Romero steadied the late frames, preserving the lead after a tense eighth as Ian Happ flailed at the plate to end a Cubs rally and the night moved toward a final, tight finish.

With the win, St. Louis moved to 60-59, closing the gap to 3.5 games behind the Mets for the NL wild-card and passing the Giants in the chase. Chicago fell to 67-50 but remained six games clear of Cincinnati in the NL Central and firmly in the wild-card mix. The Cardinals host Colorado next before welcoming the Yankees, while Chicago heads to Toronto for a quick two-city swing and a weekend visit from the Pirates at Wrigley Field. For fantasy players, the late-run RBI from Gorman and Walker’s ongoing speed/production profile remain key angles, while the Cubs’ young arms continue to show ceiling with occasional volatility.

The St. Louis Cardinals have activated Jordan Walker from the 10-day injured list, adding him to their roster ahead of their return from the All-Star break. To accommodate Walker’s return, Thomas Saggese has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis. Walker's rehab stint included 10 games at Double-A Springfield, where he struggled initially, achieving only six hits in 38 at-bats. However, he finished strong with a four-game hitting streak that included two home runs.

Currently, Walker finds himself on a struggling Cardinals team with a .210 batting average and facing pressure as the trade deadline approaches. With multiple outfield prospects waiting in the wings, Walker must quickly improve his performance to avoid a fate similar to that of fellow former top prospect Dylan Carlson, who faced a similar situation last season.

The St. Louis Cardinals are poised to be the center of attention as the MLB trade deadline approaches, with implications for both buyers and sellers. An MLB executive noted their significance, stating that the Cardinals possess several attractive players who could be on the market.

Among the potential trade candidates are All-Stars like Nolan Arenado and promising pitchers like Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas. However, with the Cardinals just a game out of the NL Wild Card race, they might also choose to buy, impacting the availability of key players in the market.

The unpredictable nature of Miles Mikolas has been a significant story for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2025 MLB season. After a disappointing outing against the Chicago Cubs, where he allowed eight earned runs and six home runs, Mikolas rebounded impressively against the Washington Nationals, pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings. With the help of pitching coach Dusty Blake, adjustments were made to improve his game. Mikolas' performance against the Nationals showcased his potential, striking out six and allowing just two hits, a significant turnaround from his previous performance.

Despite this recent success, Mikolas holds a mediocre 4.94 ERA and a 5-6 record on the season, underlining the inconsistency that has plagued him. As the Cardinals look to solidify their rotation, Mikolas's ability to maintain this form moving forward will be crucial. The emergence of key players like Lars Nootbaar and the ongoing developments in the Cardinals' roster add to the excitement as the season unfolds.