Cubs’ Ian Happ Eyes Continued Power Surge: Takes on Rival Cardinals

Ian Happ’s Home Run Resurgence

In the early months of the 2025 baseball season, Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs had hit only three home runs—one each in March, April, and May—indicating a slow start for the outfielder. However, as the season progressed into June, Happ’s bat ignited, resulting in an impressive increase in home run frequency. By the fifth of June, Happ had already added his fourth homer of the season, hinting at a return to his previous year’s form where he smashed 25 home runs.

A Sudden Uptick in Performance

This newfound momentum was evident during a recent three-game series against the Seattle Mariners, where Happ’s prowess was on full display. Over the course of these games, he managed to hit three home runs, significantly contributing to his tally of eight for the month. His performance peaked in a dramatic 10-7 victory on Saturday, where he hit two home runs, although he returned to a more modest outcome with just a single in a 14-6 loss the following day.

Reflecting on his early-season struggles, Happ shared, "When you’re sitting there in the middle of May with three homers, you’re definitely frustrated. You just want to do more, want to help more. But I’ve done this long enough that I have confidence it’s going to show up at some point if you just keep making the right swings. Obviously, the last couple weeks, it’s happened." His slugging percentage soared to .573 in June, a stark improvement from the .350 he was averaging previously.

The Cubs’ Current Challenges

Despite Happ’s resurgence, the Cubs as a team have had a mixed run of form. Before their upcoming series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs had lost three out of their last four games, following a period where they had won four out of five. They have been particularly struggling with their pitching, allowing a high number of runs—31 in their last three losses and 38 across the last four games.

As they look towards their series against the Cardinals, right-hander Ben Brown is slated to start. With a record of 4-5 and an ERA of 5.57, Brown faces the challenge of his first career appearance against St. Louis. The Cardinals, sitting 4 1/2 games behind the Cubs in the National League Central, are eager for a win, as outfielder Lars Nootbaar expressed the heightened stakes, saying, "Any time you play the Cubs, it’s always a fun series, and when the stakes are a little higher, there’s probably a little more intensity with it."

Cardinals in a Comfortable Position

The Cardinals are looking forward to hosting the Cubs at Busch Stadium, where they have maintained a strong record of 24-15. Their manager, Oliver Marmol, emphasized the team’s strategy, stating, "Our (offensive) production has actually been higher at Busch than on the road. I think part of it is that we have the mentality of collecting hits. It doesn’t mean that we won’t hit homers or doubles, but we do have to play to our strengths, and we have guys who can hit."

In the pitching lineup for the Cardinals, left-hander Matthew Liberatore is expected to start. Holding a record of 4-6 with a 4.08 ERA this season, Liberatore has had mixed results against the Cubs, with an ERA of 4.38 in eight career appearances, including two starts.

As Happ hopes to maintain his hot streak, both teams are poised for what promises to be a highly competitive series, crucial for their standings in the division.

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Trent Mallory

Trent Mallory is a passionate sports journalist who dives deep into major competitions and the stories behind every game. From American football and the NBA to tennis and the Olympics, he delivers sharp, energetic coverage. His work brings matches, athletes, and behind-the-scenes challenges to life. For Trent, sports are more than just results — they are culture, passion, and a force for change.