It is a specific kind of heat. If you’ve ever stood on the corner of Clark and Addison in Chicago or walked the humid streets near Busch Stadium in July, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The St Louis Cardinals Cubs rivalry isn't just a series of baseball games played by professionals in polyester. It is a fundamental disagreement about how the world should work. It’s the "Midwest’s Civil War," and honestly, it’s probably the only thing keeping the National League Central relevant when the big-market coast teams start hogging the headlines.
The hate is real, but it’s polite. Sorta.
I’ve seen fans in red and fans in blue share a beer at a tailgate, only to spend the next nine innings screaming about a blown save or a questionable slide at second base. This isn't the Yankees and Red Sox—there’s less ego and more grit here. It’s about 130 years of history, over 2,400 games played, and a geographical proximity that ensures you probably work with, or are married to, someone who roots for the "other guys."
The Geography of a Grudge
Why does this matter so much? It’s the I-55 divide. For people living in central Illinois—places like Springfield, Decatur, or Bloomington—the St Louis Cardinals Cubs battle is a daily reality. You’ll see a house with a "W" flag flying next door to one with a "Fredbird" lawn ornament. It splits families down the middle.
There’s a weird power dynamic at play. For decades, the Cardinals were the "Gold Standard." They won. A lot. Eleven World Series titles sits on the shelf in St. Louis. For a long time, Cubs fans had to rely on "Wait until next year," a phrase that became a lifestyle. But then 2016 happened. When the Cubs finally broke the Curse of the Billy Goat, the entire energy of the rivalry shifted. It wasn't just the "lovable losers" against the "Baseball Heaven" juggernaut anymore. It became a fight between two teams that both knew how it felt to be on top.
What Most People Get Wrong About the History
People love to talk about the 1998 Home Run Derby between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. Sure, it saved baseball. We all remember the flashes of the cameras and the steroids-fueled moonshots. But if you think that’s the peak of the St Louis Cardinals Cubs tension, you’re missing the actual meat of the story.
The real bitterness goes back to the early 1900s. It goes back to Rogers Hornsby, who played for both but is a Cardinal legend through and through. It goes back to the 1984 "Sandberg Game." If you haven't seen the highlights of Ryne Sandberg hitting two late-inning home runs off Bruce Sutter—one of the best closers in history—you haven't seen the moment the modern version of this rivalry was born. The Cubs were down by multiples runs, twice, and Sandberg just... decided they weren't going to lose.
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Cardinals fans still haven't forgotten that.
And then there’s the Lou Brock trade. In 1964, the Cubs traded Brock to the Cardinals for Ernie Broglio. It is widely considered one of the most lopsided trades in the history of professional sports. Brock went on to become a Hall of Famer and a base-stealing king in St. Louis. Broglio? He struggled with injuries and was out of baseball a few years later. Cubs fans of a certain age still twitch when you mention it.
The "Best Fans in Baseball" Debate
You can’t talk about the St Louis Cardinals Cubs without mentioning the "Best Fans in Baseball" (BFIB) moniker. St. Louis fans take this very seriously. They pride themselves on knowing the game, applauding opposing players for great catches, and staying until the 27th out regardless of the score.
Cubs fans? They think it’s pretentious.
To a Cubs fan, Wrigley Field is a cathedral, a party, and a neighborhood staple. They don't care about being "classy" in the way St. Louis does; they care about the vibe, the ivy, and the beer snakes in the bleachers. This cultural clash is what makes the games so electric. You have the "Cardinal Way"—which emphasizes fundamentals, pitching, and a certain stoic professionalism—clashing against the North Side’s chaotic energy.
Honestly, the "Cardinal Way" has taken some hits lately. The last few seasons haven't been kind to the Redbirds' front office. When the Cardinals struggle, Cubs fans don't just celebrate; they feast. There is a specific kind of joy in Chicago when the Cardinals are in the cellar of the division.
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Key Matchups That Defined Generations
Let’s look at some specifics. You have the 2015 NLDS. This was the first time these two ever met in the postseason. Think about that. Over a century of playing each other, and they never met in October until 2015. The Cubs took that series 3-1, and the image of Kyle Schwarber hitting a ball on top of the scoreboard is burned into the retinas of every St. Louis fan.
But then the Cardinals usually respond. That’s the thing. They are like a horror movie villain that won't stay down. Whether it's Albert Pujols returning for a final magical season to terrorize Chicago pitching one last time, or Yadier Molina spending two decades being the most annoying (and talented) person on the planet to anyone wearing a blue hat.
The Modern Era: Who Owns the NL Central?
Right now, the rivalry is in a bit of a transition. The stars have changed. We aren't looking at Maddux vs. Edmonds or Wood vs. Rolen anymore. Now it’s about whether the Cubs’ massive farm system can outpace the Cardinals’ ability to find random guys who suddenly hit .300.
- The Pitching Factor: Both teams have struggled to develop homegrown "Aces" recently. This has led to a bit of an arms race in free agency.
- The Managers: Craig Counsell jumping from the Brewers to the Cubs added a whole new layer of drama to the division, but the Cardinals fans still view any Cubs manager as the "villain of the week."
- The Schedule: With MLB’s balanced schedule, they play each other less often now. This makes every series feel like a playoff atmosphere because the opportunities to gain ground are limited.
Why You Should Care (Even if You Aren't a Fan)
If you’re a casual observer, the St Louis Cardinals Cubs series is the best entry point into why baseball matters. It’s a soap opera with bats. It’s about the traditions—the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley vs. the Clydesdales at Busch.
There is something deeply American about this specific rivalry. It’s about two cities that are very different—Chicago, the global metropolis, and St. Louis, the gateway to the west—finding common ground in their mutual dislike for one another.
The games are rarely boring. Even when one team is out of the race, they play like their lives depend on it. Spoiling the other team's season is almost as good as winning a trophy. I remember a game where a struggling Cardinals team knocked the Cubs out of playoff contention in late September; the celebration in the St. Louis dugout looked like they’d just won the World Series. That’s the pettiness we live for.
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Making the Most of the Rivalry: Actionable Tips for Fans
If you're planning to dive into this rivalry, don't just watch the box scores. You have to experience it properly.
Take the Amtrak. If you live in either city, the Lincoln Service train is the "Rivalry Express." It’s packed with fans from both sides, and the banter starts before the train even leaves the station. It’s a four-hour rolling tailgate.
Visit the "Other" Stadium. If you're a Cubs fan who hasn't been to Busch, go. The view of the Gateway Arch over the outfield wall is genuinely stunning. If you're a Cardinals fan who hasn't been to Wrigley, you're missing out on the best neighborhood atmosphere in sports. Just be prepared to pay $12 for a hot dog.
Watch the Pitch Sequencing. In these games, the managers play chess. Because these teams see each other so often, the hitters know the pitchers' tendencies inside and out. Watch how a pitcher like Kyle Hendricks or a veteran Cardinal arm tries to "out-think" the batter. It's a game of mental exhaustion.
Follow the Minor Leagues. The next chapter of St Louis Cardinals Cubs is currently being written in places like Des Moines (Iowa Cubs) and Memphis (Memphis Redbirds). Tracking the top prospects gives you a preview of who will be the next "villain" in five years.
The rivalry isn't going anywhere. It’s survived two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the "disaster" of the 1994 strike. It’s the constant in a sport that is always changing. Whether you’re wearing the birds on the bat or the classic bear cub, you’re part of a story that is much bigger than a game.
Next Steps for the Season
To truly follow the current state of the St Louis Cardinals Cubs battle, keep a close eye on the mid-season trade deadline. Often, these two teams are competing for the same mid-rotation starters or bullpen depth. Tracking the "indirect" wins—like outbidding the other for a key reliever—is just as important as the head-to-head record. Also, make sure to check the "Games Behind" column starting in August; that is when the psychological warfare really ramps up on social media and in the stands.