Cardinals’ Liberatore & Dobbins Shut Down Cubs 5-1 in Series Closer

Jordan Wicks and the Cubs’ Early Defensive Woes

For Jordan Wicks, the night was defined by a frustrating lack of luck and a failure to contain the Cardinals’ lineup during a pivotal first inning. Wicks, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on May 24, lasted just two-plus innings, surrendering three runs on four hits. His command did not necessarily reflect the damage on the scoreboard, as he struck out one batter and managed to keep his composure despite the mounting pressure, according to reporting from MLB.com.

The left-hander’s struggles were compounded by a series of soft-contact hits that found holes in the Cubs’ defense. The rally began when JJ Wetherholt hit a weak ground ball that traveled at only 70.9 mph, slipping past the third-base bag. This was followed by a sequence of singles from Iván Herrera and Jordan Walker, and a bloop hit by Alec Burleson that dropped between the mound and second base.

“I mean, just kind of got singled to death in the first inning. You could be frustrated by it, but at the end of the day, there’s really not a whole lot I can do about that. I just tried to keep making pitches after that, and I felt like I controlled my emotions well, slowed the game down a lot better than I did previously.

Liberatore and Dobbins Anchor the Cardinals’ Staff

On the opposite side, the Cardinals received a much-needed boost from Matthew Liberatore. After struggling in his previous three starts—where he allowed at least three runs in each—the left-hander delivered a clinical performance. Liberatore worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and one walk while striking out four, as noted by FOX Sports.

The bullpen effort was equally impressive. Hunter Dobbins, recalled from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, provided 3 2/3 innings of relief work to earn his first professional save. He yielded only one run on four hits and struck out four, effectively silencing a Cubs offense that has been inconsistent throughout a difficult May. The victory was a significant turnaround for the Cardinals, who entered the series following a four-game losing streak.

Cubs Managerial Perspective and Strategic Outlook

Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged the misfortune that plagued his starter, noting that the team had intended to treat the Sunday contest as a bullpen-heavy game due to an upcoming off-day on Monday. Despite the outcome, Counsell expressed that Wicks’ pitch execution was largely sound, even if the defensive positioning and batted-ball luck went against them.

“I thought he made a pretty good pitch to Wetherholt, and that’s just kind of bad luck there. It was a good swing, it was good hitting. But the rally starts then, and they had a couple good swings after that, you know, and we’re a little behind the eight ball from the start.

The Cubs, who finished May with a 13-16 record, are now 3-2 in their last five games following a 10-game skid earlier this season. Alex Bregman provided the only spark for Chicago, hitting his fifth home run of the season in the sixth inning to spoil the shutout and extend his personal hitting streak to 11 games.

Looking Ahead: The Schedule

As the calendar turns to June, both teams face immediate challenges in their respective divisions. The Cubs return home to begin a six-game homestand on Tuesday night, with Jameson Taillon (2-4, 5.37 ERA) slated to face Oakland Athletics pitcher Gage Jump (0-1, 7.20 ERA). Meanwhile, the Cardinals move on to a three-game series beginning Monday night, featuring Michael McGreevy (3-4, 2.98 ERA) against Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom (3-4, 3.77 ERA).

For Wicks, the path forward remains centered on process over results. While his 15.63 ERA in two starts since his return is statistically daunting, the young pitcher remains focused on the variables within his control as he attempts to stabilize his role in the rotation.