Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/15/26): Cardinals 8, Cubs 4 – Joshua Báez Wrecks Wrigley

The Cubs battled the Cardinals on Saturday afternoon in a game that witnessed baseball history. Rookie outfielder Joshua Báez hit home runs in his first three career MLB at-bats, something that has never happened before, and the road squad won to even the series.

Chicago starter Matthew Boyd ran into immediate trouble in the top of the 1st with a walk and a hit by pitch on the first two batters. After an RBI groundout by Alec Burleson, Báez jumped on the first pitch he ever saw for a massive two-run homer that put St. Louis ahead 3-0.

The North Siders took advantage of an error by third baseman Blaze Jordan in the bottom of the 2nd, eventually tying the score when Michael Conforto connected on a three-run dinger off of Michael McGreevy. Báez gave the Cards the lead back with a solo shot in the 4th that made it 4-3.

Boyd attempted one more time to retire the Cardinals’ slugging outfielder in the 6th inning, and the results were no better as Báez hit a record-setting third homer, another two-run tank. Boyd gave up one more solo blast to Jordan before exiting trailing 7-3.

St. Louis added one when Burleson hit a homer against Colin Rea in the top of the 8th. Chicago got that run back on a double play in the bottom of the frame but lost the game 8-4. (Box score)

Key Moment

It probably wasn’t the best idea to give Báez another look at Boyd in the top of the 6th after he victimized him the first two at bats. That homer largely ended any comeback chances the Cubs had Saturday.

Why the Cubs Lost

It’s very hard to win any game when you allow five home runs.

Stats That Matter

• Boyd only gave up five hits, but four of them went over the wall: 5.1 IP, 7 R, 5 H, 2 K, and 3 BB.
• Pedro Ramírez singled and doubled.

Bottom Line

Home runs continue to be the Achilles heel of the Cubs pitching staff in 2026. They have surrendered a league-leading 187 longballs, only better than the Athletics. It’s something that could prove very costly in the playoffs.

On Deck

The rubber match of the series is Sunday afternoon at 2:15pm CT. Edward Cabrera returns from injury to battle Hunter Dobbins in a game televised exclusively on ABC with a radio feed on The Score.