ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs are hitting a rough patch, and their 8-7 defeat to the rival St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 2:36 PM +07, has extended their season-long losing streak to three games. This loss, their longest skid of the year, stings especially hard given it’s against a division foe, dropping the Cubs to 48-29 while the Cardinals climb to 44-34. Yet, outfielder Ian Happ remains steadfast, telling 670 The Score, “There was no panic from the team.” With a chance to rebound on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, against St. Louis, the Cubs face a critical test. Here are three pivotal takeaways from this self-inflicted setback that has fans buzzing on social media.
PCA’s Costly Defensive Lapse
Pete Crow-Armstrong has been a defensive savior for the Cubs this season, but his rare misstep on Tuesday proved costly. With one out and a runner on second in the fourth inning, Alec Burleson smashed a 102.9 mph fly ball to center. Crow-Armstrong tracked it down for a catch against the wall, but his casual trot toward the infield—mistaking it for the third out—allowed Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn to race home, widening the lead to 3-0. “It was a mental error,” MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian noted. By the time Crow-Armstrong threw the ball in, Winn had scored, turning a potential out into a run that shifted momentum.
Had he hurried the throw, Jameson Taillon’s subsequent strikeout of Willson Contreras would have stranded Winn at third, keeping the Cubs within striking distance. Instead, the miscue deepened their hole, a mistake they couldn’t overcome despite tying it later. “The Cubs have been masters at winning on the margins,” Bleacher Nation’s Michael Cerami wrote. “A gaffe like that can’t happen in tight division games.” Fans on X lamented, “PCA’s usually flawless—tough break!” This blunder underscores the fine line between victory and defeat in the NL Central race.
Nico Hoerner’s Long-Awaited Homer
Amid the loss, Nico Hoerner provided a bright spot with his first home run of 2025, a 364-foot blast to left field in the fifth inning, driving in the Cubs’ first two runs without runners in scoring position. Known for his clutch hitting—.397 average with a .918 OPS with runners in scoring position—Hoerner’s power has been scarce, with just 29 homers in 622 games over seven seasons. “It felt good to get that one out,” Hoerner said postgame. He and Miami’s Xavier Edwards were the only qualified hitters yet to homer this year, making this a milestone moment.
Hoerner’s value lies elsewhere—his Gold Glove-caliber defense and 1.6 fWAR (third on the team) entering Tuesday, per Baseball Reference, highlight his impact. Marquee Sports Network’s Zach Zaidman called it “a welcome sight,” noting his consistency fuels the lineup. Though the homer couldn’t salvage the game, it signals potential growth, with fans on X cheering, “Nico’s first HR of the year—let’s build on this!”
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Taillon’s Struggles Deepen Rotation Woes
Jameson Taillon’s second straight rough outing has raised concerns for a Cubs rotation already missing Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga due to injuries. On Tuesday, he lasted just four innings, surrendering eight runs on eight hits, including three home runs, with two walks and three strikeouts. “It’s been a tough stretch,” Taillon admitted. After a solid 2.99 ERA over 13 starts, he’s now allowed 13 runs and five homers in his last two outings, with 21 long balls this season—second-most in MLB, per ESPN.
This follows a pattern, with Taillon’s early exit mirroring his previous start against the Pirates. “The Cubs need Taillon back on track,” Cubs Insider’s Andy Martinez stressed, as the rotation struggles to keep games competitive. Manager Craig Counsell remains supportive, saying, “He’s a big part of this staff—we’ll get him right.” With the Cardinals’ series continuing Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. ET (Marquee Sports Network, Bally Sports Midwest), stabilizing Taillon is urgent for the Cubs’ playoff push.
This loss exposes the Cubs’ vulnerabilities at a critical juncture. Crow-Armstrong’s error, Hoerner’s breakthrough, and Taillon’s slump reflect a team teetering between brilliance and inconsistency. As the NL Central tightens, this game serves as a wake-up call, with fans and analysts alike eyeing Wednesday’s matchup to see if Chicago can reclaim its stride?