For the second time in as many months, the Cardinals have used a cluster of games against a division rival to separate themselves in the standings, this time winning four of six from Milwaukee to leapfrog into first place in the National League Central, with a 5½-game lead on the third-place Brewers. The Cardinals return home for a four-game, three-day series at Busch Stadium against Cincinnati that offers another chance to hold or grow their lead and burnish what’s been a hot, hot August. Again.
A year ago the Cardinals dug themselves a hole leading into August, but as the only team in the majors to win 20 games in August 2018 — they won 22 — the Cardinals clawed their way back to relevance.