When the Cubs traveled to Milwaukee for a four-game series starting September 21, their division lead was 4½ games. The Cubs had four games remaining on a 10-game road trip in St. Louis following the series and the Brewers had hopes of winning three or four games in the series and staying alive in the race for the Central Division.
The first three games of the series were all 10-inning games. They were all closely contested and stressful but the Cubs took the first two before losing on Saturday. That Sunday the starting pitcher was Jose Quintana.