Saturday night’s 3-1 win over the White Sox was a prime example of why the Cubs’ offense has been rolling of late.

The bottom order has been delivered when the team needed them most — a positive trend that had been missing for most of the season.

Manager Craig Counsell has often stated his vision of a lineup, and how it operates more like a circle, with each hitter stacking good plate appearances on top of one another. But for most of this season, that hadn’t been the case.

“It’s just what makes that circle go, right? And I think when we get it, it does feel like we have good offensive days,” Counsell said earlier this month. “Because I think the other guys are doing something every day and we get some from the bottom of the lineup, that’s an extra run or extra two runs that is the difference.”

[WATCH: Dansby Swanson collects 1,000th career hit]

From April 27 — when the Cubs began the day a season-high 8 games over .500 — until July 30, the bottom third of the lineup had a .572 OPS, 29th in baseball and almost a non-factor, making it easier for opposing pitching staffs to game plan and attack the Cubs.

But Saturday, the White Sox had a firsthand view of a bottom of the order that is not only holding its weight but punching at a higher level — and giving the Cubs a circular lineup that Counsell preaches.

Since July 31 — when the Cubs beat the Reds 13-4 and began their current 8-2 stretch — the bottom third of their order has a .917 OPS, tops in baseball.

Tied 1-1 in the 8th inning, it was that bottom of the lineup that pushed them ahead in the game. After Nico Hoerner’s leadoff walk, the Cubs’ 7-hitter, Dansby Swanson had an infield hit to put a pair of runners on base.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, who entered the night on a 7-game hitting streak and was hitting .417 in that stretch, laid down a sacrifice bunt to push the runners into scoring position.

“Great sac bunt — it’s harder than it looks,” Hoerner said. “And every time he puts down a sac bunt, it’s a sacrifice, but there’s a real chance he’s able to beat it out, too. So, nice job by him in that spot. And it was big to not just score one, but two there and get that insurance.”

Then, Miguel Amaya, their 9-hitter delivered in the clutch. He singled to left field to score both runs that would prove to be the difference in the win. It moved the Cubs within a game of .500 and within 4 games of the final NL Wild Card spot.

“I think you’ve seen Miggy make some really impressive adjustments this year, while also dealing with an entire pitching staff and playing his first full season, extended season in the big leagues,” Horner said. “Really impressive guy. And that was a tough, big hit he had for us today, and obviously a big spot. So really impressive by him.”

Since July 7, Amaya is hitting .315/.373/.481 with 2 home runs in 20 games. It’s been a consistent approach ever since he and the Cubs’ coaching staff worked with him on some tweaks in his swing.

“It’s significant, I think, for our offense, for sure,” Counsell said. “Our catchers have been producing — [Christian] Bethancourt, too. They’ve been producing and that makes a big difference for us. Pete and the catchers producing has really made us a better offensive team and tonight it makes a difference.”

Part of the reason the Cubs’ offense was so potent in 2023 was just how deep the lineup was at its best. After they acquired Jeimer Candelario at the trade deadline last season, the team had their big acquisition hitting 7th in the lineup most of the season.

That type of production has been a boon to the Cubs. While it may not be sustainable to have their bottom third post a .917 OPS, if they can provide at or around league-average OPS, it can help them continue to claw back up the standings.

“I think it does feel like it is still within our grasp as far as controlling what we can,” Hoerner said. “Obviously, we put ourselves in the hole with how we played for an extended stretch, but I do think you’re seeing a very complete version of us right now, as far as starting pitching, bullpen, defense and a full lineup.

“So I think we’re in a good spot.”