There have not been many players that have ever tormented the St. Louis Cardinals the way Michael Busch has this season. Every series between the Cubs and Cardinals in 2025 has felt like a showcase for Busch, who has turned the rivalry into his own personal stage.
Saturday at Wrigley Field was the latest example. Busch nearly hit for the cycle, crushing two home runs, doubling, and tripling before St. Louis finally decided they’d had enough. With the Cubs’ crowd excited in anticipation of history, the Cardinals intentionally walked him in the eighth inning, drawing a chorus of boos that shook the Friendly Confines.
“I’m not here for anybody’s amusement,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol explained after the game. “I’m trying to win.”
The decision robbed fans of a potential milestone, but it didn’t erase Busch’s damage. The Cubs won 7-3, and Busch’s stat line against St. Louis this year remains jaw-dropping: a .467 batting average, nine home runs, five doubles, and 17 RBIs heading into the final game of the season series.
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It hasn’t just been production; it’s been dominance. Twice this season, Busch has piled up at least 13 total bases in a game against the Cardinals, making him the first Cub ever to accomplish that feat twice in a single year. The most memorable came on July 4, when Busch belted three home runs and added a single for good measure.
Even his teammates admit they understand why St. Louis might be fed up. “I’d be a little bit sick of watching him hit a lot of homers, too,” Dansby Swanson said after the win.
For Cubs fans, Busch’s breakout has been something to see. For the Cardinals, it has been a nightmare, much like their season – the third in a row. Michael Busch has made his way into the long-standing rivalry between these two teams.
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