It's a slim one at best, but there is still a chance that the Brewers will be playing baseball come October.

The September swoon continued, even with a new manager and a new lineup, but even after dropping two of three to both Chicago and Cincinnati, Milwaukee is just 1½ games behind the Mets in the National League wild-card race.

With six games left in the season -- all of them at Miller Park -- the Brewers could still make a late run. The first three games of the season's final week are against Pittsburgh; a team the Brewers have beaten 11 times in 12 games this year. After that, the Cubs come to town for a three-game series to wrap up the season.

The Mets finish the season with four games against the Cubs and three against Florida. Even if they went 4-3 in those final games, the Brewers would have to win five of their last six just to force a playoff.

In other words, the Brewers need to win out.

Interim manager Dale Sveum is taking a postseason attitude into the home stretch.

"It's a pump-up now," Sveum told reporters after Sunday's victory. "Instead of being four down in the loss column Tuesday, we've got a chance of possibly one back."

Ryan Braun said that the road trip was difficult, but ending it with an 8-1 victory against the Reds helped provide a boost to take back to Milwaukee.

"We ended on a good note," Braun said. "We're still in good shape. We're not exactly in the position we want to be because we don't control our own destiny, but we certainly started heading in the right direction."

Fielder hot: While the rest of his teammates struggled, Prince Fielder is playing his best baseball of the season. He homered and doubled Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and his hitting .435 with six homers and 15 RBIs during that stretch.

Sveum credited Fielder's hot streak to staying calm and positive, despite the problems facing the Brewers this month.

"He's calmer. I think that helps his whole game," Sveum said. "He doesn't let one at-bat carry over to his next at-bat."

The Pirates have had Fielder's number this season. Against a rotation heavy with left-handed pitching, he's hit just .240 this season with no homers and just six RBI in a dozen games.

Rotation not set: Dave Bush will start Tuesday's game against the Pirates, but after that, Sveum has yet to announce his rotation. Ben Sheets probably won't start in the Pittsburgh series as he tries to work through a sore right elbow. CC Sabathia worked on short rest in a loss Saturday at Cincinnati, and could pitch on short rest again Wednesday and then in the season finale Sunday against the Cubs.

There is also a chance that Yovani Gallardo, sidelined with a knee injury since May, could return to make a start down the stretch. He took part in a pair of simulated games last week at the Brewers' spring training complex and could rejoin the team this week.

Jeff Suppan is scheduled to start on Wednesday, but an 0-3 record and 10.47 ERA in four September starts could lead Sveum to skip the right-hander in favor of Sabathia or Gallardo, if available.

Staying focused: In the middle of a playoff race, it's only natural to want to watch the scoreboard to see what the Mets and Phillies are doing. While the Brewers have no chance to make the postseason if New York keeps winning, Fielder says it's important to stay focused on the matters at hand.

"If you look too far, you're going to forget what you're playing," Fielder said. "We just have to go game-by-game and win that one. Until you're eliminated, you have to keep being positive."

Fit to be tied: If the Brewers finish tied with either the Mets or Phillies, they will go on the road to play for the wild-card spot. Had Milwaukee finished tied with the Cubs atop the NL Central, the tie-breaker would have been played at Miller Park. The Brewers lost coin flips with both Philadelphia and New York and would travel to either city for a one-game playoff Monday, should the season end with a tie.

Injury report: Gabe Kapler rejoined the team during the Cubs series, but has not been cleared to play. The team is hoping to use him in a pinch-hitting role. ... Ray Durham is day-to-day after suffering a strained hamstring Friday night against the Reds. He will be evaluated today, but may not play until the final series because the Pirates will throw two left-handers during the series.

Quick hits: For the first time since 1999, the Brewers finished with a winning record on the road. ... The Brewers' 85 victories so far this season are the most since 1992, when the team finished 92-70. ... Entering Sunday's game, Braun had just six hits in his previous 52 at-bats (.115). ... Hardy had three hits Sunday, extending his hitting streak to six games. He's batting .480 during the streak with a home run.

This week: It's time to head home for one last stand. The Brewers will take today off and open a three-game series with Pittsburgh Tuesday night at Miller Park. Then, it's the Cubs in town to wrap up the regular season in a series originally believed to be a Central Division showdown.

He said it: "I'm here to be a cheerleader. I brought my pom-poms and my cheerleading skirt. I hope my legs look good in it." -- Bench coach, former Brewers standout and Hall of Famer Robin Yount.

NL Central standings: 1, Chicago, 94-70 (clinched division); 2, Milwaukee, 85-71 (-10); 3, Houston, 82-73 (-12½); 4, St. Louis, 80-75 (-14½); 5, Cincinnati, 72-83 (-22½); 6, Pittsburgh, 65-91 (-30).

NL Wild Card standings: 1, New York, 86-69; 2, Milwaukee, 85-71 (-1½); 3, Houston, 82-73 (-4); 4, Florida, 81-74 (-5); 5, St. Louis, 80-75 (-6).