St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves split mid‑July series

The St. Louis Cardinals opened the three‑game series on Saturday with a 4‑1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Lars Nootbaar hit a three‑run, 435‑foot home run in the first inning and Matthew Liberatore threw six scoreless innings, striking out six. Riley O’Brien recorded the save.

The series finale on Sunday was won by the Braves, 4‑3, after Ozzie Albies doubled and scored on a Masyn Winn throwing error in the ninth. Braves manager Walt Weiss watched as Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was ejected for a missed challenge. Brewer Hicklen supplied the Braves' decisive RBI double in the sixth.

A nearly three‑hour rain delay halted the Friday game; grounds crews cleared flooded areas of Busch Stadium before play resumed. Post‑game commentary highlighted the Braves’ slipping NL East lead and fan calls for roster changes, while the Cardinals faced speculation that right‑hander Dustin May could be traded before the deadline. Both clubs remain in contention for postseason spots.