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The Cardinal Chronicle Velázquez Makes Immediate Impact as Cardinals Beat Cubs, 6-5 St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurST. LOUIS — The Cardinals needed a spark. Nelson Velázquez gave them one on the first pitch he saw.Called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, Velázquez stepped into the cleanup spot Friday night at Busch Stadium and delivered immediately, launching a three-run home run in his first at-bat with St. Louis to help the Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs, 6-5, in the opener of a three-game weekend series.It was exactly the kind of response the Cardinals needed after entering the night on a four-game losing streak and coming off a rough offensive series in Milwaukee. The Cubs struck first, putting three runs on the board in the top of the first, but St. Louis answered before the inning got away.Iván Herrera and Jordan Walker reached ahead of Velázquez, and the former Cub did the rest. On the first pitch he saw from Shota Imanaga, Velázquez drove the ball out to left-center field for his first home run of the season, tying the game at 3-3 and changing the tone of the night.That was not just a good swing. That was a statement swing.The Cubs regained the lead in the second, but the Cardinals kept chipping away. Herrera added a solo home run, Thomas Saggese also went deep, and St. Louis used three home runs to build just enough offense to hold off Chicago late.Andre Pallante did not have his cleanest night, allowing early traffic and four runs, but the bullpen picked him up. Justin Bruihl, Gordon Graceffo, George Soriano, JoJo Romero and Ryne Stanek helped bridge the game, with the Cardinals holding on despite a late Cubs push.Chicago finished with 11 hits, but St. Louis played a clean defensive game and made its damage count. The Cardinals had nine hits, no errors, and enough timely power to survive a division fight that looked like it might get away early.Before the game, the Cardinals made a pair of roster moves designed to jolt the offense and reshape the catching picture. Velázquez and catcher Jimmy Crooks were promoted from Triple-A Memphis, while infielder César Prieto and catcher Yohel Pozo were optioned back to Memphis.Crooks arrived after hitting 13 home runs for the Redbirds, ranking second on the Memphis roster and among the leaders in the International League. Velázquez came in after batting .232 with seven home runs and 22 RBIs in 40 games at Memphis, including a stronger May showing.The Cardinals also noted that Lars Nootbaar continues to make progress on his minor league rehab assignment. Entering Friday, Nootbaar had played seven rehab games and was batting .316 with two home runs, four RBIs and a 1.065 OPS, with stops at Palm Beach, Memphis and Springfield.The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Jonathan Owens, adding another local spotlight moment to a night that already had plenty of energy at Busch Stadium.For a Cardinals club trying to steady itself in the National League Central race, Friday was not perfect. It was, however, badly needed.The Cardinals answered an early punch, got instant production from a newly promoted bat, and opened the Cubs series with a win. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: Cardinals TV

Velázquez Makes Immediate Impact as Cards Beat Cubs, 6-5

The Cardinal Chronicle Gameday Preview: Cards Look to Build on Friday Spark Against Cubs St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurST. LOUIS — One night does not solve everything, but it can change the feel of a series.After snapping a four-game losing streak with Friday night’s 6-5 win over the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals return to Busch Stadium tonight with a chance to turn a good response into something more meaningful.The second game of the weekend series is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. CT and will be televised nationally on FOX. It is another important National League Central matchup, with the Cardinals entering the night at 30-25 and the Cubs at 31-27.Friday night gave the Cardinals exactly what they needed: power, urgency and a little life from the bottom and middle of the roster. Nelson Velázquez, called up earlier in the day, homered on the first pitch he saw in his first Cardinals at-bat. Iván Herrera and Thomas Saggese also went deep, and José Fermín added a key insurance run in the eighth inning.That is the kind of offense St. Louis has been looking for.Tonight, the Cardinals send right-hander Kyle Leahy to the mound. Leahy enters at 5-3 with a 4.44 ERA, and the assignment is straightforward: give the Cardinals length, keep the Cubs from building an early crooked number, and protect a bullpen that had to carry a heavy load Friday night.Leahy does not need to be perfect, but he does need to be efficient. The Cardinals used seven pitchers in the series opener, and while the bullpen got the job done, this is not the time to ask the relief corps to cover another long night if it can be avoided.Chicago counters with right-hander Ben Brown, who enters at 1-2 with a 2.01 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. Brown has been tough to square up, allowing just one home run over 44.2 innings, so the Cardinals may not be able to rely on the long ball the way they did Friday night.That makes the little things matter. Good at-bats. Moving runners. Two-out production. Making Brown work. The Cardinals cannot afford to sit back and wait for one mistake.The matchup also puts the spotlight back on the Cardinals’ reshaped roster. Velázquez gave St. Louis instant impact Friday night, and Jimmy Crooks’ promotion adds another layer to the catching situation. The Cardinals are trying to find more offense without losing the defensive structure that has helped keep them in the race.Ian Happ remains one of the biggest bats to watch for Chicago. He homered Friday night, his third straight game with a home run, and continues to be a problem for opposing pitching. Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki also had three-hit nights in the opener, a reminder that the Cubs’ lineup can still make a pitching staff work even when the club is scuffling.For the Cardinals, Jordan Walker remains the thunder in the middle of the order, while Herrera continues to show why his bat has to stay involved. If Velázquez can provide another jolt and Saggese continues to contribute with his bat and glove, the Cardinals suddenly look deeper than they did a few days ago.This is the kind of night where the Cardinals need to take advantage of momentum. Friday’s win ended the skid. Tonight is about proving it was more than a one-night correction.Against the Cubs, that always matters.Game Information Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Saturday, May 30, 2026 Busch Stadium — St. Louis, Missouri First Pitch: 6:15 p.m. CT TV: FOX Radio: KMOX / WIJRProbable Pitchers Chicago Cubs: RHP Ben Brown — 1-2, 2.01 ERA St. Louis Cardinals: RHP Kyle Leahy — 5-3, 4.44 ERAOld School Take - The Cardinals do not need a masterpiece tonight. They need a professional start, clean defense, and enough hard contact to keep pressure on Chicago.Friday night was the spark. Tonight is the night to turn up the heat. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: Semoball

Gameday Preview: Cards Look to Build on Friday Spark Against Cubs

The Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day: Matt Koperniak, Memphis St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurMatt Koperniak earns The Cardinal Chronicle’s Player of the Day honors after going 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs in Memphis’ 7-6 extra-inning loss to Omaha on Friday night.It came in a losing effort, but Koperniak’s bat kept the Redbirds in the game. Memphis needed offense, and Koperniak supplied it from the middle of the order, delivering timely swings and driving in four of the club’s six runs.His four RBIs marked a season high, and they came on a night when Memphis was trying to hold its place near the top of the International League standings. The Redbirds did not finish the job, falling in 10 innings, but Koperniak’s production gave them every chance to steal one on the road.Koperniak has long been the kind of player who does not always draw the biggest prospect headlines, but he continues to provide professional at-bats, steady contact, and the ability to impact a game when the lineup needs a lift. Friday night was a perfect example.Yordalin Peña and Chase Heath both deserve strong mention for Palm Beach. Peña homered and drove in runs, while Heath delivered key production in the Beach Birds’ 7-5 win over Lakeland. But Koperniak’s three-hit, four-RBI night was the strongest offensive performance in the system.For a Memphis club battling through a tight stretch, Koperniak did his part. The final score went the wrong way, but his bat was the reason the Redbirds were in the fight.The Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day Matt Koperniak, Memphis Redbirds 3-for-4, double, four RBIs The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>Photo Credit: MiLB.com

Player of the Day: Matt Koperniak, Memphis Redbirds

The Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day: Brian Holiday Sets the Tone in Single-A Debut St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurBrian Holiday did not waste any time making a first impression.Making his Single-A debut for the Palm Beach Cardinals, Holiday earns The Cardinal Chronicle’s Pitcher of the Day honors after working four scoreless innings in Palm Beach’s 7-5 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers.For a young pitcher stepping into a new level, the first assignment is simple on paper but difficult in practice: throw strikes, control the moment, and give your club a chance to win. Holiday did all three.He allowed just one hit, walked one, and struck out three, keeping Lakeland quiet early while Palm Beach’s offense built enough support to hold on late. He did not factor in the decision, but the value of his outing should not be measured only by the win column. Holiday gave the Cardinals exactly what they needed — a clean start, early command, and a foundation for the victory.That matters.In the lower levels of the minor leagues, especially with young arms making jumps, a debut can get sideways quickly. New hitters, new surroundings, a different pace, and the natural nerves of the moment all come into play. Holiday handled it like a pitcher who understood the assignment. He attacked the strike zone, limited traffic, and kept Palm Beach out of early trouble.His final line was simple and strong:4.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 KThat is the kind of debut a development staff likes to see. It was not flashy for the sake of being flashy. It was controlled, efficient, and mature. Holiday gave Palm Beach four clean innings and handed the game over with the Cardinals in position to win.There is plenty of road ahead, of course. One outing does not define a pitcher, and the Florida State League has a way of testing arms over time. But as first steps go, this was a good one. Holiday showed poise, strike-throwing ability, and the ability to keep hitters from finding rhythm.That is how a young pitcher begins to earn more trust.Jawilme Ramírez also deserves strong mention for Peoria after striking out five over 2.2 scoreless innings in a tight extra-inning win. Ramírez delivered in a high-leverage setting and gave the Chiefs important outs when the game was still hanging in the balance.But the nod goes to Holiday because of the stage and the statement. In his Single-A debut, he stepped on the mound and gave Palm Beach four scoreless innings in a winning effort.That is a fine way to introduce yourself. The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>.Photo Credit: Oklahoma State Athletics

Pitcher of the Day: Brian Holiday Sets the Tone in Single-A Debut

The Cardinal Chronicle Cubs Come to Busch as Cardinals Look to Reset in Rivalry Weekend St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurST. LOUIS — After a rough trip through Milwaukee, St. Louis returns home Friday night for one of those weekends that still carries a little more weight than the schedule page admits. The Chicago Cubs come to Busch Stadium for a three-game series, and for the Cardinals, it is a chance to stop the bleeding, steady the club and remind the division that they are not folding after one ugly stretch.The timing is hard to miss. St. Louis enters the series at 29-25, with Chicago listed at 30-26, putting the clubs in close company entering the weekend. MLB’s probable pitchers page lists Friday’s opener for 6:15 p.m. CDT at Busch Stadium, with Kyle Leahy scheduled to start for the Cardinals against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga.Leahy, 5-3 with a 4.44 ERA, gets the first chance to set the tone. The right-hander has been asked to handle a larger role this season, and Friday offers the kind of start that can change the feel around a club quickly. Against the Cubs, early traffic matters. Free passes and long innings can tilt a rivalry game in a hurry.The Cubs counter with Imanaga, who enters at 4-5 with a 4.04 ERA and 67 strikeouts. He remains a difficult matchup when he commands the zone and changes eye levels, but the Cardinals cannot afford to let another opposing starter settle in and dictate the night.Saturday’s game is also set for 6:15 p.m., with Andre Pallante scheduled for St. Louis against Cubs right-hander Ben Brown. Pallante enters at 5-4 with a 3.76 ERA, while Brown is listed at 1-2 with a 2.01 ERA. The game will be carried nationally on FOX.Pallante’s assignment may be the most important of the weekend. The Cardinals need innings, rhythm and some old-fashioned damage control from the rotation. When Pallante is right, he can keep the ball on the ground, force early contact and give St. Louis a chance to play cleaner baseball behind him. That has to be the formula.Sunday night closes the series at 6:20 p.m., with Matthew Liberatore scheduled to face Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks. Liberatore enters at 2-3 with a 4.76 ERA and 53 strikeouts, while Wicks is listed at 0-1 with a 16.62 ERA. The finale is scheduled for NBC and Peacock.For Liberatore, the challenge is simple but not easy: build on the swing-and-miss without letting the early inning get away. He struck out 10 in Milwaukee earlier in the week, but the Brewers did their damage early and handed the Cardinals a 5-1 loss. That start showed both sides of the Liberatore story — real stuff, real strikeout ability, and still a need for cleaner execution when the game is being decided in the first few frames.This weekend is not just about pitching, though. The Cardinals’ offense has to re-enter the conversation. St. Louis has gone through a stretch where too many innings have felt like survival mode. Rivalry weekends do not reward quiet bats. The Cardinals need traffic, pressure and the kind of timely swing that changes the temperature inside Busch Stadium.The Cubs series also arrives after a division stretch that has exposed some hard truths. The Cardinals have played enough good baseball this season to remain in the hunt, but the NL Central is not waiting around for them to find themselves. Milwaukee already delivered its message. Now Chicago comes to town with a chance to add to the problem — or give St. Louis the opening it needs to answer.That is what makes this weekend matter.It is still May. Nobody is handing out trophies, and nobody is packing boxes. But rivalry games have a way of telling a club something about itself. The Cardinals do not need perfection. They need fight, cleaner baseball, and enough offense to let the pitching staff breathe.The Cubs are in town. Busch Stadium should feel like Busch Stadium.Now the Cardinals need to play like it.Series ScheduleFriday, May 29 — 6:15 p.m. Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Shota Imanaga, LHP, vs. Kyle Leahy, RHP Cards.TV // KMOV-TV // KMOX // WIJRSaturday, May 30 — 6:15 p.m. Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Ben Brown, RHP, vs. Andre Pallante, RHP FOX // KMOX // WIJRSunday, May 31 — 6:20 p.m. Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Jordan Wicks, LHP, vs. Matthew Liberatore, LHP NBC // Peacock // KMOX // WIJRThe Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sportoos Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future. Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a data-mce-href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" title="www.cardinalchronicle.com" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">www.cardinalchronicle.com</a>

Cubs Come to Busch as Cardinals Look to Reset in Rivalry Weekend

The Cardinal Chronicle Cardinals Recall Jimmy Crooks, Select Nelson Velázquez in Roster Shakeup St. Louis, MO By Ray MileurThe Cardinals made a notable roster adjustment ahead of their weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, recalling catcher Jimmy Crooks from Triple-A Memphis and selecting the contract of outfielder Nelson Velázquez.To make room, infielder César Prieto and catcher Yohel Pozo were optioned to Memphis.The move brings Crooks back into the major league picture at a time when the Cardinals could use more production and balance from the catching position. Crooks has long been one of the more polished bats in the organization’s upper levels, and his return gives St. Louis another left-handed option behind the plate.It also gives the Cardinals a chance to take another look at a catcher who may be part of the club’s longer-term answer. With Pedro Pagés already on the roster, Crooks gives St. Louis a different offensive look and potentially more matchup flexibility.Velázquez adds another right-handed power bat to the outfield mix. His game has always carried swing-and-miss concerns, but the power is real, and for a Cardinals club searching for more thump, that matters. This is a clear attempt to inject life into a lineup that has gone quiet at the wrong time.Prieto’s option is the corresponding cost of the shuffle. He has shown flashes, but roster construction and immediate needs pushed the Cardinals in another direction. Pozo, meanwhile, returns to Memphis as the Cardinals turn the page behind the plate and give Crooks the next opportunity.This is not a blockbuster move, but it is the kind of roster adjustment that says something. The Cardinals are trying to find a spark. Crooks represents the future pushing toward the present. Velázquez represents immediate power upside. Together, they give the club a different look heading into an important stretch.For Crooks, the opportunity is simple: take the at-bats, handle the staff, and show he belongs.For the Cardinals, the message is just as clear.The kids are not waiting forever.The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.Check out The Cardinal Chronicle for more St. Louis Cardinals coverage, daily farm reports, prospect updates and old-school baseball commentary: <a href="http://www.cardinalchronicle.com" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">www.cardinalchronicle.com﻿</a> Photo Credit: Springfield Daily

Cardinals Recall Jimmy Crooks, Select Nelson Velázquez in Roster Shakeup

The St. Louis Cardinal Chronicle 

The St. Louis Cardinal Chronicle is dedicated to preserving Cardinals history, covering today’s game, and following the next generation through the minor leagues. Written in the tradition of the old beat writers, it’s baseball with perspective — steady, faithful, and rooted in a lifelong love for the game.

The St. Louis Cardinal Chronicle, Ray Mileur

The Cardinal Notebook

Velázquez Makes Immediate Impact as Cards Beat Cubs, 6-5

Gameday Preview: Cards Look to Build on Friday Spark Agai...

Player of the Day: Matt Koperniak, Memphis Redbirds

Pitcher of the Day: Brian Holiday Sets the Tone in Single...

Cubs Come to Busch as Cardinals Look to Reset in Rivalry ...

Cardinals Recall Jimmy Crooks, Select Nelson Velázquez in...