Cardinals Slugger Comes Through Again, Retakes MLB Lead in RBI with 109 in Win

If there was ever one at bat that perfectly embodied the many areas of growth that have been made in 2026 by St. Louis Cardinals star first baseman Alec Burleson while becoming one of MLB’s most productive and clutch hitters, it came in Sunday’s sixth inning.

With the bases loaded and two outs, the White Sox purposefully countered with left-hander Chris Murphy to try and take advantage of Burleson’s lopsided splits against righties (.317 batting average, .940 OPS, 71 RBI) and southpaws (.210 batting average, .545 OPS, 35 RBI).

Even after Murphy got ahead in the count with two strikes and located a 96.5 mph fastball in and off the plate, Burleson did what he has done better than any hitter in baseball in 2026: Drive in runners in the clutch to spearhead the Cardinals offense.

Burleson drilled a three-run double in that sixth inning to retake the MLB lead in RBI with 109 and propel the Cardinals to a 3-1 victory over the American League Central-leading White Sox before 34,609 fans at Busch Stadium.

"I put the emphasis on (being better versus lefties) about half-way through the year and it's been better, but it could be a lot better and should be a lot better because I have a higher expectation for myself," Burleson said of the doubled he pulled into right field. "It's good to make the necessary adjustments and come through for the team. It was a tough offensive day, but that was the scenario where we needed to bust it open and that's what happened."

In the ninth inning, Cardinals' reliever George Soriano loaded the bases, but he got Colson Montgomery to fly out to center field to end the game. Soriano picked up his fourth save of the season as the Cardinals won the three-game series.

"Our margin for error is zero and every game feels like it is the same game, whether it's a one-run game and if it is a two-run game that bases are loaded (for the opponent)," Cardinals' manager Oliver Marmol joked. "So, (Soriano) being able to stick with it there. ... I'm glad he was able to get thought that for a lot of reasons, my sanity being one of them."

Burleson, who is making a strong case for a second Silver Slugger award in as many years, moved into a four-way tie for first in MLB in doubles (36) to go with his career-best 109 RBI – two more than slumping Cincinnati rookie infielder Sal Stewart.

Burleson’s best work this season has come with runners in scoring position – when he has racked up an MLB-most 60 hits, 15 doubles and 84 RBI. Also, his .358 batting average with runners in scoring position ranks at No. 5 in MLB. Then, there's this: Burleson is a clutch 8 for 15 with the bases loaded in 2026.

"The way (Burleson) goes about his business is something I hope every guy in this clubhouse looks at and kind of emulates, because day in and day out, he's making sure his body is in the right spot, his mind is strong and his routine is (set) so he can have success.

"If he's not talked about enough, then we have the most underrated player in baseball. If he is, then we have a great player on our team, and it's great to have, as well."

On a day when the Cardinals were working with a short bullpen, starter Michael McGreevy worked six solid innings. He struck out six and allowed just three hits and one earned run. He pitched out of a jam in the sixth inning after surrendering a lead-off triple to Sam Antonacci to keep the deficit at 1-0 before Burleson's heroics. 

For most of the day, it looked as if McGreevy could be pitching in hard luck again with David Sandlin throwing a perfect game over the first 5 1/3 innings on Sunday. During that dominant start to the game, Sandlin recorded eight ground ball outs and four strikeouts.

The perfect game was broken up in the sixth inning by Nathan Church, who singled down the right field line. After Masyn Winn also singled, Ivan Herrera reached when Chicago shortstop Colson Montgomery booted a routine ground ball to load the bases.

That’s when Burleson came through in the clutch again for the Cardinals to give them their first lead of the day.