By Tom MorrisM So, we have one more week to go. It all ends next weekend, when the last remaining MLB playoff contenders give us one last show of excitement, one final burst of adrenaline... And then the fun really begins. We're at T-minus 6 games until baseball blasts-off into what one can only hope turns out to be an October that holds the tiniest of candles to last year's jaw-dropper. Actually, what would make me thrilled is for the Yankees to miss the postseason, but I have a sinking feeling that once again it won't be happening. So be it. Some things are just meant to be... But for now, while there are only a few candidates left on the postseason ballot, they are clearly enemies and as a result are keeping each other very, very close indeed. The White Sox are almost desperately trying to fend off the unstoppable Indians, who in turn are in a virtual deadlock with the Red Sox and Yankees --in all, 4 teams in search of 3 spots. Meanwhile, the earthbound Athletics' survival now depends almost entirely on a sweep of the Angels, who lead the Oakland squad by 4 games. And in the National League, the Marlins have disgracefully disappeared from the scene, while the "We've Got Bonds!" Giants now have a shot at catching the feet-scuffling Padres. Then there are the Phillies and Astros, 1 game apart, and two series away from the final votes are tallied. Thank God Florida's not involved; we might have had to deal with another shamefully Corrupt Counting Calamity . "Hey, Tom, what's up with the political metaphors?", you ask? Well, the 7th and final season of The West Wing got underway last night, and I'm sory, but I just can't stop talking about it. And I won't stop writing, either, if I don't get on with it. Here's my Team Rankings for this past week: [ Last Week's Rankings, as always, in Parentheses ] 1. Cleveland Indians: ( 2 ) That's right, the Cardinals, holders of this top throne for longer than I can remember, have been usurped --by a team noone knew, but now can't do away with. Cleveland has been far more than impressive. (17 - 3, last 20 games). They show all the signs of a team that knows it's got the right stuff...on all points of the diamond. Kevin Millwood leads the AL in ERA, and Sabathia, Lee, and the bullpen are airtight right now. I'd like to see these guys get in, and I'd like to see how they perform under the sweat-inducing glare of the baseball playoffs spotlight. But right now, at least, they're in the catbird seat, and # 1 on this list. 2. St. Louis Cardinals: ( 1 ) The Cards have indeed extended their stretch of highway coasting. Indeed, they have gotten tired of asking, "Are we there yet?", now seemingly happy to take a little snooze in the backseat. Matt Morris is looking weary, Mulder and Carpenter both stumbled this past week, but these are problems easily rectified. Once the postseason begins a week from tomorrow, believe me, these motivated players will be back in business. With an MVP on their team or not... 3. New York Yankees: ( 3 ) The pin-striped guys have been right there with the Indians as the hottest teams in the majors of late. 6 wins in 7 last week, and 12 of 14 of late puts the Yanks not just 1/2 game behind The Tribe, but tied with Boston for the AL East lead. They're good pitching just seems to happen, with no predictable timetable.( I think Joe Torre uses a Ouija board to pick the bullpen's hot hand of the day) And though it's a rickety chair, it has held firm long enough for the guys with the bats to send souvenirs to as many bleacher fans as they can find. And Yankee Stadium is a busy place this time of year. 4. Atlanta Braves: ( 4 ) The Braves had the opportunity to stick it to the Marlins the last 3 days, and did not fail. In the process, they reversed what was becoming a stint in mediocrity, as well as sending Florida to its postseason death. Atlanta's resting Smoltz, which makes the team a tad more mortal, but they can still move around the bases, and Andruw Jones isn't going anywhere soon. I'd like to see what he puts up in October, starting with either the Astros' or Padres' pitching staffs. There's an apples and oranges metaphor if ever there was one... 5. Houston Astros: ( 6 ) Speaking of the 'Stros, Clemens is also being rested, apparently because of a nagging injury that needs tending to. I think it's because his struggling outings were lifting his ERA close to the 2.00 mark, and something needed to be done about it. My money's on Houston to outlast the Phillies for the wild-card again. Last year they did it, and the reason they're up at #5, and the reason they're going to play Atlanta in the first round, is their pitching, which always has the final word this time of year. 6. Boston Red Sox: ( 5 ) The Sox came back from a mini-slump with a sweep over the weekend. Who were they playing? The Orioles, so no great achievement there. Still, something needs to be done about their starting pitching. Wells, Arroyo, and Clement have been tripping on the mound of late, and Big Papi can create only so many walk-off victories by himself. I think the reigning champs may be handing their crown over this year, sad to say. 7. LA Angels of Anaheim: ( 7 ) Kind of forgot about the Halos, I did. They didn't need to do too much recently, with the A's falling out of the picture almost without any help. But the Angels been doing their part to all but solidify their place at the top of the AL West this year. ( 8 - 1 last 9 games). AL Wins leader Bartolo Colon (20 - 8) goes up against Barry Zito in the last of the 4-game series which starts tonight in Oakland. But it'll be all for show, and all wrapped up by then anyway, as the Angels return to the playoffs once again. 8. Philadelphia Phillies: ( 8 ) The Phils are the only ones left nipping at the Houston heels. And though their pitching may not be their main strength, Jimmy Rollins and his 30-game hitting streak are leading the way for the rest of the line-up. Their pitching will look golden these last 6 games so, as they play 3 each against the Mets and Nationals, neither of whom hit above .210 this past week. 9. Chicago White Sox: ( 9 ) Here they are. Had to scroll down a bit to find these guys, huh? The Southsiders were absolutely reeling in a tailspin Chuck Yeager may have given up on. But after sweeping the hapless Twins this weekend, Chicago has stretched their division lead back to 2 1/2 games over the bothersome Indians. Garland and Buehrle are both looking piss-poor right now, and that is going to have to change fast. These 2 teams play each other on the final weekend, as do the Sox and Yankees. That's the way a baseballseason should end, damnit! The Red Sox will be the ones who miss out this year. I know. You're shocked. But you'll see... 10. Oakland Athletics: ( 11 ) Hey, a few years ago the A's won like 20 or 21 in a row. Remember? Who could forget? So there's no reason why they can't win 4 straight against the Angels, right? Wrong. Oakland's trump card --their pitching-- has all but fallen apart, ( 5.71 ERA this past week ) and that's not just b/c of temporarily injured Rich "Hard-Throwin'" Harden. So they'll put up a gutsy fight, but should be escorted down the loser's tunnel by the end of Tuesday night, is my guess. I like these guys too. Bad luck. 11. Florida Marlins: ( 10 ) Also disappearing from active duty are the Marlins, and they basically did that magic act on themselves. They blew a handful of huge games (often late in the game), starting with that defensive disaster against Philly, and just kept going and going. It's a shame. Dontrelle Willis may steal the Cy Young Award, and it will only be a consolation prize. 12. San Francisco Giants: ( 14 ) The Giants at this point are the same amount of Games-Behind ( 4 ) of their division leader as AL brothers Oakland are in theirs... and just like the A's, they need to aim for a sweep of the division leader (San Diego), starting today, to have a shot. It could happen. They are pitching great of late, (plus they have that Barry guy in the line-up) And the Angels and Padres are 2 completely different opponents. Still a long shot, though, to say the least. 13. San Diego Padres: ( 13 ) The Padres are amazing. They just can't seem to get a decent losing OR winning streak going the past few weeks. Back and forth, back and forth. It's dizzying, I tell you. They'll back into this final playoff spot, and bow out as gracefully as possible against either Atlanta or St. Louis, take your pick. 14. Chicago Cubs: ( NEWCOMER ) Hey, someone's gotta inhabit these last couple spots, don't they. Chicago has put up a good fight the last month or so, to try to retain some kind of self-respect out of their disappointing season. What they'll need "Next Year" will be the same things: Prior, Wood and Zambrano all healthy and pitching well at the same time. How reliable has that been these past 3 years? 15. New York Mets: (NEWCOMER) These guys did a lot better than many expected, and a lot worse of course, too. Mostly the latter of the two. They do play in New York, remember. Carlos Beltran may be agood guy, but what a BUST! Pedro held up his end, and there were several bright spots. But soo much more room for improvement during the off season break. Hey, it's time for me to take a break, too. A 30-minute one before rushing off to wait on customers hungry for fresh sushi. Wish they'd let me eat some of it at work. Some things just are not fair in life. As always, keep your mind in the game, and the game on your mind.