1.) Boston Red Sox
Valium should be a part of the pre-game ritual on Monday, ’cause the Wakefield rollercoaster has returned: Kevin Cash will be behind the plate. The scouting report on Cash is all-glove-no-hit, which is preferable to upside at the moment. If the Sox’ injury concerns are limited to Doug Mirabelli, extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to whoever sacrificed a virgin.

2.) New York Yankees
The Bill O’Reilly of Baseball Tonight, Steve Phillips, recently filibustered a broadcast with his “case” for the Yankees missing the playoffs. Said “evidence” was limited to their offensive explosion, which couldn’t possibly keep up this pace and would “even out.” Well, Steve, isn’t this showcase merely balancing the first half of ineptitude? It looks to me like things have already evened, and little is going to change. Wild card, lock.

3.) Arizona Diamondbacks
The Babe is back, and his name is — Micah. Micah Owings, that is. The burly 24 year-old righthander launched two long homers while tossing seven innings of three-hit ball on Saturday for the Pythagorean-deficient Diamondbacks. According to our favorite Midwestern baseball nerd, they are actually 60-64. Silly us, thinking they had won 71. Must be a scoring error.

4.) New York Mets
Carlos Beltran has eight XBH, including five homers, since his return from the disabled list August 10. He hasn’t had the offensive season expected, but he’s capable of carrying a team and his timing is ideal.

5.) Cleveland Indians
Over his last five starts, Jake Westbrook has a 2.06 ERA, a .186 BAA and .516 OPSA. He and Paul Byrd complement C.C. and Fausto well. If they get Pronk healthy and on track they could go deep into the postseason, but they’ve gotta hold off the Tigers first.

6.) Seattle Mariners
Since losing seven in a row ending July 26, the M’s are 15-6. It’s still going to be tough for them to get into the playoffs, but they’re making Mike Hargrove regret his premature resignation. George Sherrill and J.J. Putz have been fantastic, and Brandon Morrow should get more credit, despite usurping Keith Foulke as the ugliest-named-reliever.

7.) LA Angels
The performance of John Lackey on Friday is cause for concern, as well as the next few series for the Angels: NYY, TOR, @SEA. They can’t expect much, if anything, from the $16 million man, Bartolo Colon.

8.) Detroit Tigers
After losing four of five to the Indians and Yankees, this week the Tigers face the…Indians and Yankees. Jim Leyland is shaking his cane at the schedule makers.

9.) Chicago Cubs
As I write this, Carlos Zambrano is celebrating his big payday by mowing down the suddenly contending Cardinals. It’s a well timed winning streak that happens to coincide with eight losses in ten games by the Cubbies.

10.) St. Louis Cardinals
If they can squeeze out a split Sunday and Monday to cut the lead to two, things are going to be very interesting. They square off for four more in Busch September 14-16, including a double header.