The last time the Brewers were preparing to enter the final weeks of a playoff race, there was no bigger example of their offensive woes than Corey Hart.

He followed up his first career All-Star appearance by batting .299 in August, with four home runs and 20 RBI as the Brewers surged ahead in the wild card standings.

When the calendar flipped to September, though, it was as if Hart disappeared. He hit just .173 down the stretch and grounding in to a bases-loaded double play in Game 1 of the NLDS at Philadelphia pretty much summed up his slump.

Fast forward now to 2011, and again, you'll see Hart riding a hot streak entering September. After a 2-for-3 outing Sunday against the Cubs (in which he homered for the second consecutive game), he extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

During that stretch, Hart is hitting .400 (18-for-45) and has boosted his batting average to .283.

"I haven't seen the bad streaks that he goes in," manager Ron Roenicke said."In years past, he's been really on fire or he's not getting any hits. I haven't seen that. I've seen a pretty consistent guy.

"I've seen him very hot, but I haven't seen the guy where he's up there and I don't think he has a chance to get a hit. He's getting a hit, it seems like, all the time. Then he puts together the hot streaks where he's driving the ball and getting base hits."

Hart made a big splash in his first game back after missing the first month of the season with an injury by hitting three home runs against Washington. Since then, though, Hart's season has been fairly quiet though still productive.

His season really took off, however, when Roenicke juggled the lineup and moved Hart into the leadoff spot.

"We all go through stretches," Hart said. "That's what makes us so good. Each series, it seems like a guy gets hot and does some good things to help us out."

Star system: In basketball, it's widely believed that a "star system" is in place which gives preferential treatment to star players when it comes to calling fouls. After Zack Greinke struck out seven Chicago batters Sunday, a reporter asked Cubs manager Mike Quade if he thought the strike zone tends to expand for star pitchers.

Quade quickly dismissed the notion.

"I don't think so," Quade said. "I really don't. I think back in the day, maybe. But I think these guys are bearing down no matter who it is and trying to have a consistent strike zone. Years ago, there may have been something to that but I don't think there is now."

Cardinals set rotation: St. Louis manager Tony La Russa had been keeping quiet about his pitching plans for the upcoming series in Milwaukee but finally announced his probably starters – all three of them right-handers – Sunday morning.

Edwin Jackson (10-9, 3.94 ERA) will open the series Tuesday against Shaun Marcum (11-4, 3.38). Wednesday night, it'll be Jake Westbrook (10-7, 4.75) facing lefty Randy Wolf (11-8, 3.37) and Brandon Dickson wraps up the series Thursday against Yovani Gallardo.

Dickson will be making his first major league start. He has appeared in two games since being called up June 30.

Quick hits: The Brewers are 50-16 at Miller Park this season ... Sunday's victory extended the Brewers' winning streak against Chicago to eight games ... Zack Greinke became just the third pitcher this season to steal a base Sunday when he swiped second against Chicago ... Ryan Braun went 2-for-3 Sunday; his team-leading 41st multi-hit game of the season ... Randy Wolf has won his last five decisions ... The Brewers have come from behind to win 36 times this season ... With 21 victories in August, the Brewers tied the all-time franchise record for victories in one month, set in June 1978 (21-9).

Injury report: OF Carlos Gomez is expected to be back on the roster later this week. He's played two games on a rehab assignment with Class A Wisconsin and will play two more before rosters expand on Thursday.

On the farm: IF Felipe Lopez will report to Class AAA Nashville today. He was designated for assignment Aug. 21 and after clearing waivers, was assigned to the Sounds ...

He said it: "Forty saves is 40 wins ... that's the biggest thing" – Closer John Axford on recording his 40th save of the season.

Attendance (through 66 home dates): Total – 2,453,617; Average – 37,176; Sellouts – 27.

This week: Monday is an off day for the Brewers, who return to action Tuesday night against St. Louis at Miller Park. Keep in mind Thursday's game will begin at 3:10 p.m., giving you time to get home and watch the Packers' preseason finale or the Badgers' season opener. Friday, it's on the road again for a three-game set in Houston before heading off to St. Louis for one last series with the Cardinals.

NL Central standings (through games Sunday)