Both the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals are eager to leave a challenging June behind them as they prepare to commence a three-game series. Each team has experienced significant struggles throughout the month, marked by inconsistent offensive performances and a decline in their respective divisional standings. This upcoming series presents a critical juncture for both clubs to find renewed momentum and shift their season's trajectory.
The Braves, who once held a commanding 10.5-game lead in the National League East on May 22, have seen that advantage diminish to just three games over the Philadelphia Phillies. Their performance in June has been particularly worrisome, with a 9-13 record. Similarly, the Cardinals have not fared much better, posting a 12-12 record in June. They've fallen seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, now clinging to a narrow half-game lead over the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins for the final wild-card berth. The current form of both teams, with identical 3-7 records over their last ten outings, highlights the urgency for a turnaround.
Offensive struggles have been a pervasive issue for both Atlanta and St. Louis. The Braves have faced a significant slump, scoring three or fewer runs in ten of their last sixteen games and being shut out twice during this period. Key players like Austin Riley, whose batting average has dropped to .209, and Ha-Seong Kim, currently in an 0-for-24 skid, exemplify the team's offensive woes. Even Drake Baldwin, after an initial home run post-injury, has managed only two hits in 43 at-bats since his return. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged similar difficulties for his team, pointing out their inability to secure timely hits, which has been a major factor in their recent decline, as evidenced by scoring just three runs in a three-game weekend series against Miami.
On the pitching front, the series opener will feature a matchup between St. Louis' Matthew Liberatore and Atlanta's Martin Perez. Perez has been a stabilizing force for the Braves' rotation, especially with Spencer Strider sidelined indefinitely. Since rejoining the starting five in mid-May, Perez holds a 4-2 record, although his recent four-game winning streak was snapped after giving up three runs in four innings against San Diego. In contrast, Liberatore has had a tough June, with an 0-2 record and a 10.34 ERA over his last four starts, including a challenging outing against Arizona where he surrendered six runs in 5 1/3 innings. This series marks the first encounter between the two teams this season, with the Braves having won their 2025 series 4-2.
As July approaches, both the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals are hoping for a fresh start. Their recent struggles have been significant, impacting their standings and overall morale. This series not only offers a chance for individual players to regain form but also for each team to collectively reverse their fortunes and build confidence as they move into the latter half of the baseball season.
