The September 26, 2025 matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field carries with it the weight of one of baseball’s most storied rivalries, and even in a season where both teams have experienced ups and downs, the stakes of pride, momentum, and development remain high. The Cardinals come into this game having leaned heavily on a roster in transition, mixing veteran presences like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado with younger talents such as Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn, who are viewed as the future core. St. Louis has struggled with consistency on the mound, with Miles Mikolas and Steven Matz unable to provide stability while Jack Flaherty’s health has been a persistent storyline, leaving the bullpen to shoulder more than its share of innings. Their offense remains streaky, with Goldschmidt and Arenado still capable of producing runs but often in need of support from younger hitters who are still finding their footing at the major league level. On the other side, the Cubs enter this game with similar aspirations, as their rebuild has started to bear fruit, thanks in large part to Cody Bellinger rediscovering his MVP-level form, Seiya Suzuki providing consistent production, and Nico Hoerner continuing to establish himself as a key piece at the top of the lineup.

Chicago’s pitching staff, highlighted by Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon, has given them more competitive outings than their rivals, though bullpen volatility has occasionally undone strong starts. The Cubs have been particularly effective at home, where Wrigley Field’s energy and their ability to manufacture runs play to their strengths, while the Cardinals have struggled on the road, especially when unable to get quality innings out of their rotation. Defensively, both clubs have had lapses, but Chicago’s athleticism and aggressiveness on the basepaths give them an edge in a close contest. As with any Cardinals-Cubs game, the atmosphere will be charged, with fans fully invested in each pitch, and while postseason implications may not be in play this late in the season, the rivalry ensures that neither team will treat this as just another game. For St. Louis, the goal will be to use their veterans to set the tone and hope that their younger players continue to grow into reliable contributors, while the Cubs will look to harness the energy of their home crowd and lean on their pitching and timely hitting to secure a win. Ultimately, this game will be decided by which side can limit mistakes, execute situational hitting, and handle the inevitable late-inning pressure that defines rivalry matchups, and with both teams eager to close the season strong, fans can expect a fiercely competitive battle at Wrigley Field.