Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/14/26): Cubs 3, Cardinals 0 – Holmes Excellent in Shutout W
The Cardinals traveled to Wrigley Field to battle the Cubs on a warm and overcast Friday afternoon. The pitching dominated most of the game, but the home team had the one decisive swing that led them to a series-opening victory.
Both starters, Clay Holmes and Matthew Liberatore, were razor sharp in the early going with neither team getting a baserunner until a Nico Hoerner single in the bottom of the 5th inning. George Soriano relieved Liberatore with two on and one out in the 6th and Chicago took advantage immediately when Seiya Suzuki hit a go-ahead three-run homer that made it 3-0.
That would be plenty of support for Holmes and the North Siders’ bullpen, which kept St. Louis off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Jacob Webb closed things out in the top of the 9th to complete the shutout win. (Box score)
Key Moment
The Cardinals got the tying run to the plate with one out in the top of the 8th against Ryan Zeferjahn. The Cubs’ new acquisition got a fly ball and a strikeout to end the inning and preserve the 3-0 lead.
Why the Cubs Won
An excellent starting pitching performance and a timely home run provided the winning formula on Friday.
Stats That Matter
- Big improvement by Holmes from his first outing in Kansas City: 6.2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 K, and 1 BB.
- Suzuki had a double to go with his home run.
Bottom Line
The Cubs have improved their starting pitching at the trade deadline, and Holmes can be dominant when he keeps the ball on the ground like he did in this one. Continuing to win will keep pressure on the Brewers above them in the standings.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at 1:20pm CT. Matthew Boyd goes up against Michael McGreevy in a contest televised on Marquee with a radio feed on The Score.
