A perfect spin through two cities on the most recent road trip has introduced a rookie to the lineup, given a rotation time to find its footing, and allowed the Cardinals to fatten their record against the thinnest of opponents.
The freeway they took to a winning record and back into the wild-card race brings them home to face their biggest, best test yet this month.
The first-place Milwaukee Brewers visit Busch Stadium with a chance to assert their hold on the NL Central and send the Cardinals into a detour, focused on winning a wild-card berth.