When Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a home run into the right-field seats at Busch Stadium on Saturday, the ball did not stay there for long. A rowdy group of shirtless Cardinals fans threw it right back onto the field.

The 140-year rivalry between the Cubs and the Cardinals has always been fierce. However, this time the fan energy was something else. It was Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt‘s first taste of the rivalry. Instead of letting the moment get the better of him or talking trash to the Cubs, the 23-year-old just loved the loud atmosphere.

“You know what, the crowd’s there and how engaged everybody is, kind of just each moment feels intense, and we’re just trying to play better baseball. So you know, they played really well tonight. We just gotta find a way to bounce back in the series, but yeah, here in the crowd,” Matrixmidwest reporter, Jacob Cersosimo, quoted Wetherholt. “Engaged and just kind of, you know, the boos, the hollering…it’s cool to be a part of.”

The Cubs ended up defeating the Cardinals 6-1. Despite the tough loss, Wetherholt had a great night and got three hits. The stadium was packed with more than 40,000 fans, thanks to a surprising start to the season for the Cardinals. St. Louis has a strong 29-18 record right now. This makes every division game very important for their playoff push.

The stadium was loud and buzzing thanks to the “Tarps Off” crew. They have been taking over sections of Busch Stadium. The shirtless groups have brought college football and soccer-style energy to the stadium, leading loud chants and songs that have provided the Cardinals with a massive late-inning boost.

Busch Stadium is usually known for a polite and quiet crowd. That has changed. The stadium is now just as loud and rowdy as the famous bleachers at Wrigley Field. The Cardinals even made that area an official “high-energy” zone.

On Saturday, the Cubs were the target of these fans. They yelled “overrated” at PCA when he came up to bat. Result? He hit a home run right to them in the right field seats. He also pointed at the “Tarps Off” zone and moved his hand around his head, just like they twirl their shirts. The Cardinals fans were left miffed, and the home run ball was immediately thrown back to the field.

“Interesting theme for the year, but they’re rowdy, and they’re showing up, like they’re buying into something, so I can appreciate it. We love playing against the Cardinals too, like in division rivals, always fun,” PCA said after the game.

Still, Wetherholt came out as the breakout star for the Cardinals. The score remained 0-0 till the third until Wetherholt singled to center in the bottom of the fourth inning. He covered second base off a groundout by Ivan Herrera and scored the first run as Alec Burlson hit a single to right field. The Cardinals’ only run from the day named after their top prospect, and this takes his 2026 average to .244. His homer tally stands at 9.

The game ended on a friendly note, but the Cardinals just got their future superstar in the form of JJ Wetherholt.

The Cardinals should keep JJ Wetherholt

Wetherholt is the breakout star of the Cardinals in 2026. Beyond his average and homers, his stats prove his dominance even over the Pirates’ Konnor Griffin.

“If the season were to end today, JJ Wetherholt would have to be the unanimous pick for National League Rookie of the Year,” Justbaseballmedia shared via Instagram.

The Cardinals’ top prospect already recorded 2.5 Baseball Reference WAR and an OPS+ of 115.

“Griffin has the most upside, but Wetherholt right now, as we stand here today, is a better baseball player,” Just Baseball Media’s Peter Appel said.

Wetherholt boasts a robust .356 On-Base Percentage, noticeably outpacing Griffin’s .327 OBP. So, with such numbers, the Cardinals should invest in Wetherholt. He is turning 24 this year, and St. Louis has team control over him till 2031. Thus, Wetherholt will be with the Cardinals by his age 29. If the team still extends him, that will cover a few more years in his thirties.

However, considering the starting figures, the Cardinals would surely not love to lose Wetherholt. They shouldn’t repeat the mistake they made with Sandy Alcantara back in 2017. Back then, they traded a young Alcantara to the Marlins to get Marcell Ozuna for a short-term playoff run. Alcantara later won a Cy Young award in Miami, making the Cardinals regret the trade.

Wetherholt has proven he can handle the pressure of a playoff race and a fierce rivalry. The Cardinals must hold onto their homegrown star no matter what.