Here we go.  Only 6 days left and the Mets and Red Sox are fighting for division titles.  Here are my thoughts on both teams.

METS: Unlike the SOX, the Mets are not guaranteed a playoff spot even if they blow the division.  Thus, it is much more important to hold on.  The Mets have their final 6 at home, facing the Nationals twice more, a make up game against the Cards, and the Marlins for 3.  The Mets should and better win at least 4 out of those 6.  The Mets are holding on to a 2 game lead over Philadelphia, who also has 6 left at home.  They face the Braves (who are still alive in the wild card race) for 3 and then host the Nats to end the season.  Phils are fast charging and are tied for the lead in the wild card with the Padres.  The Rockies are only 1 back and the Braves are still alive, just 3 back.  If the Phils win the wild card, the Mets are in trouble because they may have to face Philadelphia come the NLCS.  Phillies have won 8 straight against them.  The Mets would thus most likely face the Cubs in the NLDS, who haven't won a title in 99 years.  If the Padres win the wild card, the Mets will probably face them.  Mets better get their pitching together or they'll be 3 and out, no matter who they play.

RED SOX: The Sox clinched a playoff birth the other night against TB.  However, they're once huge division lead is very much on the line.  The Sox have a 2 game lead over the Yanks with 6 left.  Sox are home for all 6, facing Oakland for 2 and Minnesota for 4.  Sox should be able to go 4-2, which would be enough unless the Yanks go 6-0, which isn't impossible.  Yanks face Tampa Bay and Baltimore to end their season.  Those games will be extremely difficult I'm sure.  Yanks magic number to clinch a wild card spot is 1, so they will wrap that up soon, becoming the 4th and final team into the AL Playoffs.  But, it is still huge for the Sox to hold on.  It will be extremely embarrasing to blow this lead.  Manny and YOOUK took batting practice so hopefully they'll be back ASAP.  I dont want to just throw Manny in there come playoffs.  He should definitely get 10-15 ABs in.  He'd have to play 3-4 games to reach that most likely.  It is still important for the Sox to fight for homefield at least in the 1st round.  To guarantee that, they must finish with at least the 2nd best record in the AL.  All 3 teams, the Indians, the Angels, and the Sox have 92 wins.  But they all have different number of losses thus far.  The Indians lead the race so far with only 63 losses.  The Sox are 2nd with 64, and the Angels are last with 65.  Thus, this race will come down to the wire.  Hopefully, the Sox can pull off homefield for the playoffs, but since I assume the Yanks will make the 2nd round, the Sox would already be guaranteed homefield for that series.  Thus, they'd still be home throughout the AL playoffs.  Should be a fun (and stressful finish)!

I hope Sox and Mets can both clinch quickly and have a nice celebration in front of their home fans.