[1] On September 29, the Cardinals clinched the National League Central for the first time since 2015,[2] and defeated the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS on October 9.

The Cardinals were 3 games ahead of the second place team the Chicago Cubs (their arch rival) which they would be playing against next.

This would be followed by a 3-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies, the leader of the NL East division, which they would only win one game out of.

For the following 5 series against the Atlanta Braves (twice), Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, and Philadelphia Phillies, they would only win 1 game of each and lose the rest leading to a 5–9 record.

But, they would go on a 5-game losing streak after this and be outscored 30-10 playing one last game against the Dodgers and two against the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres.

During this time left fielder Marcell Ozuna would be injured leading to Tyler O'Neill to be recalled from the minors.

[12][7][9] Before the All-Star Game, the Cardinals would go 2–1 against the Seattle Mariners and 1–2 against the San Francisco Giants leading to have a record of 44-44 going into the break.

This all with a strong of injuries causing Matt Carpenter, Marcell Ozuna, and Harrison Bader to be sent down to the minors.

[13][7][9] After a win against the Cubs to close out the series, the Cardinals would go on another 5 game losing streak, being swept by the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers and as a result fell back to third.

However, the Cardinals would make up for this and go on a 5-game winning streak sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals.

They were helped by the fact that Matt Carpenter, Yadier Molina and Harrison Bader were all added back to the roster.

Meanwhile, the Brewers went on their own 4-game winning streak meaning they were now tied with the Chicago Cubs and in running for the Wild Card spot.

In the 10th inning, Matt Carpenter would hit a home run and make it 5-4 Cardinals bringing them back to the same situation.

In the 6th inning with the bases loaded by walks, Yadier Molina would come up and hit a single leading to Marcell Ozuna and Matt Carpenter to score making it 2-1 Cardinals.

After a groundout by Paul Goldschmidt allowed Tommy Edman to score, Cardinals pitcher Dakota Hudson would give up a single and four walks.

The game would swing back and forth with by the 4th inning the Cardinals being up 5-3 before a two-run homer by Ian Happ would make it 5-5.

Paul DeJong was up next, and the first pitch thrown at him (the second of the inning) was hit also to left-center putting the Cardinals on top 9–8.

In the final game of the season, the Cardinals would beat the Cubs 9–0 with Jack Flaherty pitching 7 innings and only allowing 2 hits.