--- title: "Cubs vs Cardinals: Swanson's 3-HR Act Looms" description: "Chicago's shortstop went deep three times. Now the Cubs face St. Louis in a critical NL Central battle." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/cubs-play-the-cardinals-after-swanson-s-3-home-run-game-398156a4 published: 2026-07-03T12:21:16.326+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T12:21:16.326+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["baseball"] --- # Cubs vs Cardinals: Swanson's 3-HR Act Looms > Chicago's shortstop went deep three times. Now the Cubs face St. Louis in a critical NL Central battle. Dansby Swanson just delivered a masterclass at the plate, launching three home runs to propel the Chicago Cubs into a pivotal NL Central showdown against the St. Louis Cardinals. This isn't just a game; it is a battle for divisional supremacy with significant playoff implications hanging in the balance. The Cubs enter the fray with a solid 49-38 record, good for second place in the division, riding the high of Swanson’s offensive explosion. Standing in their way are the Cardinals, currently sitting third at 45-39, who know that a series loss could see them fall further behind in the crowded race. The gap is only four games, but in the tightrope walk of the NL Central, that distance feels cavernous. Swanson’s power surge provides the Cubs with a psychological edge, transforming a standard series into a referendum on both teams' October credentials. The stakes are simple: win and you control your destiny; lose and you scramble for a wild card spot. St. Louis faces a daunting task: quiet a red-hot lineup while simultaneously jumpstarting their own offense to keep pace. The Cardinals cannot afford to let Swanson’s momentum bleed into this series, or they risk ceding ground that will be nearly impossible to reclaim later in the season. The pressure is squarely on the pitching staff to contain a suddenly electric Cubs offense. For Chicago, the objective is to capitalize on the adrenaline of a historic night and suffocate their rivals' hopes. What's next: This series likely serves as a turning point in the division narrative. A Chicago victory, fueled by continued production from their shortstop, could effectively demote the Cardinals to wild-card spectators. A Cardinals comeback, however, would tighten the race into a dead heat, setting the stage for a grueling summer of divisional baseball. ## Why this matters A Swanson-powered Cubs offense meets a Cardinals squad fighting to keep pace in the NL Central. This matchup could swing momentum in a division where every win counts. The four-game gap is manageable but dangerous for St. Louis, making this series a potential turning point for both franchises as the season heats up. ## Frequently asked ### What are the current standings? The Cubs hold second place in the NL Central with a 49-38 record. The Cardinals are close behind in third at 45-39, making this series crucial for the division hierarchy. ### What did Dansby Swanson do recently? Swanson launched three home runs in a single game, a historic performance that has energized the Cubs lineup heading into this critical divisional matchup. ### Why is this game important? With the NL Central race tight, every game between division rivals acts as a swing in the standings. A win here gives the winner a significant edge in the playoff chase. ## Sources & Citations - [Cubs play the Cardinals after Swanson's 3-home run game](http://www.espn.com/mlb/preview?gameId=401816007) — ESPN (2026-07-03) --- Cite: Cubs vs Cardinals: Swanson's 3-HR Act Looms. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/cubs-play-the-cardinals-after-swanson-s-3-home-run-game-398156a4