Cardinals best way in was to the do the (admittedly) very difficult and straight up sweep the Cubs. That would have forced a situation where the Cubs would have been out of the picture entirely depending on other scenarios.
With that loss today, they're likely dead in the water since a Rockies win locks up the last wild card birth.
A Dodgers win means they at the minimum, secure a tie for the second wild card (may as well say the actual second wild card since St. Louis is probs dead.) 2 Dodger losses + 1 Rockies win means the Rockies secure their first NL West title. Colorado getting swept by Washington and at minimum, 1 Dodger win against the Giants means we play a game 163 for the NL West title on..Tuesday>
Side note: The NL Central runner up will 100% host the NL Wild card game.
Personally hoping the Rockies win the division title.
AL stuff is cut and dry; a single Yankee win + Oakland loss means the AL Wild Card game is played in New York.