Chicago Cubs: How the team fared against its biggest rivals in 2021

Chicago Cubs: Second half woes against St. Louis told the story

Final record against the Cardinals: 9-10

Runs scored vs. runs against: 84-87

The biggest rival of them all in St. Louis did not seem so tough early in the season. The Cubs started 6-1 against the Cardinals, including a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field in mid-June in the first full-capacity series at Wrigley Field. However as the Cubs started to unravel, the Cardinals came to life. They won nine of the last 12 meetings, including a four-game sweep at Wrigley in late September. While the Cubs pulled out the final two games of the season series, they meant nothing of consequence.

Despite his struggles in 2021, Kyle Hendricks continued to dominate the Cardinals as he went 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA in four starts against them. Joc Pederson homered against them three times in seven games as a Cub.

Tyler O’Neill was the big nemesis. He slashed .317/.368/.603 with five home runs in 16 games. Paul Goldschmidt hit four home runs with a .860 OPS in 19 games against the Cubs.

Best game: July 20 – Cubs 7 – Cardinals 6

Down 6-1 in the top of the ninth, the Cubs scored six runs to take a 7-6 lead. The Cardinals had a 99 percent win probability going into the inning as they needed just three outs to protect a five-run lead. Sergio Alcantara and Anthony Rizzo walked with the bases loaded, Javier Baez singled and Ian Happ doubled in the tying and go-ahead runs. Craig Kimbrel retired the side in the bottom of the inning to seal the victory and send the Busch Stadium crowd home stunned beyond belief.

Worst game: September 24. Cardinals 12 – Cubs 4

Game two of a doubleheader, Cubs starter Zach Davies got tagged for six runs in two innings. The Cardinals sealed a doubleheader sweep that day and the Cubs would end up getting swept in the four-game series at home.