Cubs vs. Cardinals: A Look Back at This NL Central Rivalry

When Do the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals Play Next?

Chicago Cubs tickets and St. Louis Cardinals tickets can be found on their respective team pages, along with schedule information.

Are the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals Rivals?

Yes, the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals have a semi-regional rivalry that is also referred to as the Route 66 or the I-55 rivalry. Both the Cubs and the Cardinals play in the National League Central, with the winner of the NL Central receiving an automatic bid into the MLB Playoffs.

Who are the Chicago Cubs’ Biggest Rivals?

The Cubs’ biggest rivals are the Milwaukee Brewers and the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central division, plus their crosstown rivals the Chicago White Sox in the American League.

Who are the St. Louis Cardinals’ Biggest Rivals?

The Cardinals’ biggest rivals are the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central division, the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, the New York Mets in the NL East, and the Missouri-based rivalry against the Kansas City Royals in the American League.

Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals Series History

The Cubs and Cardinals rivalry dates back more than 100 years. In 1892, the franchise in St. Louis was originally referred to as the Brown Stockings (shortened to the Browns) but rebranded when they joined Major League Baseball, and more specifically, the National League. In 1900, they became known as the Cardinals. In the early 1900s, the Cardinals did not have much success on the field, while the Cubs won three straight National League Pennants and two World Series championships between 1906 and 1908.

1908 would mark the Cubs’ second-to-last pennant (the last coming in 1945) and last World Series win for more than 100 years. However, the tide turned for the Cardinals, who won their first NL Pennant and World Series in 1926 as the Red Birds.

Tensions ramped up between the two sides during the famous single-season home run chase of 1998 between Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire and Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa. The record at that time of 61 home runs in a single season set by Roger Maris was thrashed by both Sosa and McGwire, who finished their seasons with 66 and 70 home runs, respectively. These records still stand in the MLB official record books, but are tarnished according to public opinion and Baseball Hall of Fame voters due to numerous performance-enhancing drug allegations.

Despite 2,500+ competitive matchups between the two teams across more than 100 years, the Cardinals and Cubs have only met once in the postseason: the 2015 NL Division Series where the Cubs won the best-of-five series, 3-1.

Famous ball players who have made their mark in this series include: Roger Hornsby, Lou Brock, Jim Edmonds, Sammy Sosa, Kris Bryant, Albert Pujols, Stan Musial, Ozzie Smith, and more.

Where Do the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals Play?

The St. Louis Cardinals play at Busch Stadium, located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The stadium opened in 2006 and took the name from the old Busch Memorial Stadium that closed one year prior. Busch Stadium has hosted countless postseason games, including the 2006 World Series in which the Cardinals clinched their 10th title at home, as well as the 2009 MLB All-Star Game. Overall, Busch Stadium has seen three World Series matchups, in 2006, 2011 and 2013.

The Chicago Cubs play their home games at Wrigley Field on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. Wrigley Field remains one of Major League Baseball’s oldest active stadiums with its first game held in 1914. Earning the nickname “The Friendly Confines” and known for its ivy-covered outfield walls, Wrigley Field has also hosted six World Series, most recently for the Cubs’ 2016 championship run. In 2027, Wrigley Field is set to host MLB All-Star Week, including the 97th MLB All-Star Game. The 2027 event will mark the Cubs’ fourth time hosting the MLB All-Star Game and their first since 1990.

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