Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker, who excelled early in the season at an MVP-level pace, experienced a slow down due to a right ring finger injury sustained in late May. After receiving extra rest from Cubs manager Craig Counsell, Tucker is expected to rejoin the lineup for the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals this Friday. The Cubs are eager to have Tucker back in form as they attempt to close the gap on the surging Milwaukee Brewers during the crucial stretch run.

Performance Analysis Before and After Injury

Before his injury on May 31 against the Cincinnati Reds, Tucker recorded a strong .283/.391/.520 slash line, highlighted by 12 home runs and 39 RBIs in 58 games. Since then, he has posted a more modest .258/.377/.419 line with six home runs and 22 RBIs over 53 games. Despite the drop, Tucker maintains a solid overall stat line with a .271 batting average, 18 homers, 61 RBIs, a .384 on-base percentage, and an .859 OPS through 409 at-bats this season.

Kyle Tucker’s Perspective on His Performance and Injury

Addressing concerns about his finger, Tucker downplayed the injury’s impact, focusing instead on maintaining his role on the team.

“I’ve got to go out and do my job regardless of how I feel.”

—Kyle Tucker

He attributes his recent struggles more to execution than approach, saying that his discipline at the plate remains strong but his ability to make consistent contact has been lacking.

“I still feel like I’m still swinging at pitches I want to and taking ones I don’t want to swing at,”

he shared.

“It’s just the pitches over the plate, I just end up fouling off or I might swing and miss at times. Then I just end up getting in worse counts and it kind of just doesn’t work out from there.”

—Kyle Tucker

Starting Pitchers Ready for Critical Series Battle

The Cubs will counter with All-Star left-hander Matthew Boyd, who enters the game with an impressive 11-4 record and a 2.34 ERA. Boyd has faced the Cardinals multiple times this season, securing wins in his first two starts while delivering 11 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts and only one walk. His career record against St. Louis stands at 3-1 with an outstanding 1.29 ERA across five starts.

The Cardinals plan to start rookie Michael McGreevy, whose recent form has been uneven. McGreevy has allowed 11 runs on 16 hits in his last two starts, including his first appearance against the Cubs on June 24 where he gave up five runs in just under five innings. Despite the inconsistency, McGreevy remains a key part of the Cardinals’ rotation.

Cardinals’ Bullpen Reconfigured After Trade Deadline Moves

Following the departure of veteran relievers Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, and Steven Matz before the trade deadline, the Cardinals have reshaped their bullpen. JoJo Romero has assumed the closer role for the first time, while rookies Matt Svanson, Andre Granillo, and Gordon Graceffo are heavily relied upon in middle innings. Riley O’Brien has stepped into the critical set-up position, marking a notable advancement in his four-year professional career.

O’Brien recently earned his first major league win and save during a series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, a milestone Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol hopes will bolster the young pitcher’s confidence.

“Hopefully it does a lot for his confidence,”

Marmol said.

“Especially able to do it (in Dodger Stadium). You want to test it out somewhere, this is not a bad spot to do it.”

—Oliver Marmol

Significance of Tucker’s Return and Series Outlook

Kyle Tucker’s return is crucial for the Cubs as they face a pivotal three-game set against a Cardinals team adapting to significant bullpen changes. His presence could provide the offensive spark Chicago needs to maintain pressure on the Brewers in the National League Central race. Meanwhile, the starting pitching matchup between Boyd and McGreevy will play a key role in setting the tone for the series.

As Tucker seeks to regain his early-season form, the Cubs will rely on his veteran experience and leadership in the final stretch. The Cardinals’ bullpen adjustments and the emergence of young arms like O’Brien add an intriguing layer of challenge. This series opener is poised to impact both teams’ playoff positioning and momentum moving forward into the summer.