Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ‘s power surge this season has accelerated notably, particularly since early June, as he prepared for the team’s upcoming four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals starting Monday. After hitting just three home runs during the first three months of the season, Happ has dramatically increased his output, making the power surge a central storyline for the Cubs heading into this pivotal National League Central matchup.

By June 5, Happ had added his fourth home run of the season, marking a turning point as the balls he struck started leaving the park more consistently. His production since has been impressive, with eight homers recorded in June alone, including seven over his last 12 games. This burst of power features a remarkable three home runs in Chicago’s recent three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.

Happ Reflects on Early Season Frustrations and Recent Success

Despite a slow start, Happ expressed confidence in his ability to regain his form, drawing on his experience from last season when he hit 25 home runs. He acknowledged the frustration of the slow power numbers in the early months but emphasized persistence and proper technique as keys to his current productivity.

“When you’re sitting there in the middle of May with three homers, you’re definitely frustrated,”

Happ said.

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.

—Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs left fielder

This recent streak has notably boosted Happ’s slugging percentage to .573 in June, a sharp rise from his .350 slugging mark over the season’s first three months. Cubs manager Craig Counsell recognized the expected upswing in Happ’s power, hinting at a home run streak that was due to occur.

“We knew this was coming. He’s sitting there with three home runs about 10 days ago,”

Counsell remarked.

I don’t want to say it’s expected, but there was a home-run streak coming for him.

—Craig Counsell, Chicago Cubs manager

Cubs Enter Series With Mixed Recent Results

As the Cubs prepare for their series against the Cardinals, they arrive with underwhelming recent results, having lost three of their last four games after a stronger stretch where they won four of five contests. Although the Cubs lead the National League Central, their defense has struggled, allowing 31 runs in their past three losses and 38 runs across the last four outings.

Chicago will send right-hander Ben Brown to the mound to start the series. Brown, holding a 4-5 record and a 5.57 ERA this season, will make his inaugural appearance against St. Louis during this crucial divisional series.

Cardinals Aim to Narrow the Division Gap

The St. Louis Cardinals, trailing the Cubs by four and a half games in the NL Central standings, are eager to gain ground in their first face-off of the season. The Cardinals viewed this home series at Busch Stadium as an opportunity to apply pressure on their rivals.

Outfielder Lars Nootbaar highlighted the rivalry’s intensity and the significance of the upcoming games.

“Obviously, we know that (the Cubs) have been playing good ball and that’s a team in our division that we’re looking to catch up to,”

Nootbaar said.

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.

—Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder

St. Louis recently saw a five-game winning streak end with a loss to the Cincinnati Reds, yet the prospect of facing the Cubs at home remains promising. The Cardinals have found success at Busch Stadium, where they hold a 24-15 record this season.

Home Advantage and Team Outlook as Series Begins

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol emphasized the team‘s strong offensive performances at Busch Stadium and the focus on consistent hitting strategies.

“Our (offensive) production has actually been higher at Busch than on the road,”

Marmol said.

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.

—Oliver Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals manager

The Cardinals plan to start left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who holds a 4-6 record and a 4.08 ERA this season. Liberatore has faced the Cubs eight times professionally (two as a starter), but has yet to record a win against them.

Upcoming Clash Sets the Stage for NL Central Tensions

The series between the Cubs and Cardinals marks the first direct competition this year for the division leaders and their closest challengers. Ian Happ’s recent power surge adds a dynamic element to the Cubs’ offense, potentially bolstering their chances as they seek to maintain their lead in the highly competitive National League Central.

With pitching matchups featuring Brown and Liberatore and teams vying for divisional positioning, the coming four games at Busch Stadium are poised to be intense and potentially impactful on the playoff race as the season progresses.