First, some context.
In 2019 the Cardinals won the NL Central, but not without a bit of drama. The Brewers finished just two games back and the Cubs finished in third seven games back. A huge part of the distance between the Cubs and Cardinals was the Cardinals’ four-game sweep over the Cubs September 19 through September 22. The Cubs entered that series at Wrigley four games back and left it seven games back and virtually eliminated from the postseason, losing every game by one run, with two comebacks against one of the league’s top closers in Craig Kimbrel.