Tony DeMarco

It seems like only a couple of months ago that the season began on foreign soil in the wee-early-morning hours. Remember? Oh, never mind, you probably missed it.

But just short of six months have passed since the Red Sox-A's opener in Japan, and we're down to the last seven days on the regular-season calendar — with four division titles and two wild card spots still to be determined.

That means channel flipping will be in order, very possibly into next weekend. Here's what you should be watching:

Showdown series: The schedule maker didn't do a very good job of setting up head-to-head matches that will determine playoff spots. The Mets and Phillies finished their season series earlier this month, ditto the Rays and Red Sox, and Dodgers and D-Backs.

So we're left with only one can't-miss series in the final week — and even that one has lost some of its luster. The staggering Twins — 7-12 in September — get three more cracks at the first-place Chicago White Sox at the Metrodome beginning Tuesday. Nothing less than a sweep will do, as they are 2½ games back with six to play.

The Twins' recent troubles are mostly the result of a young rotation that no longer has Johan Santana to rely on. Twins starters haven't lasted past the fifth inning in seven of their last 10 games, and that in turn has put too much pressure on the bullpen.

Even Francisco Liriano hasn't been immune, as he allowed eight runs (four earned) in 2 2/3 innings in his last start prior to Sunday's strong outing in Tampa.

Liriano won't appear in the White Sox's series, and a tiring Glen Perkins (0-1, 9.42 in September) will be skipped and moved to the bullpen, leaving Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey to face the Sox's home-run-reliant offense.

The Sox have a few issues of their own, namely coping with the loss of MVP candidate Carlos Quentin and third baseman Joe Crede. They will counter with Javier Vazquez, Mark Buehrle and Gavin Floyd in the Twins series.

If it comes down to the weekend, the Twins will be at home against Kansas City, and the Sox will be at home against Cleveland. And if it really comes down to it, the Sox could have a Sept. 29 makeup game against Detroit at US Cellular Field.

Three to make two: NL East and wild card winners will come from among the Phillies, Mets and Brewers — with the latter on the outside looking in, and nobody but themselves to blame.

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They've tried changing managers, changing the lineup — you name it, but it hasn't stopped the bleeding, and the Brewers have gone from 5½ up to 1½ games down in the wild card. When you're all-in financially as a small-to-mid-market team, and you don't make the postseason, then you can only expect to see major changes this winter.

But before that happens, the Brew Crew can redeem themselves with a big week at home against the Pirates and the already-playoff-bound Cubs — and then hope for help.

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The problem is, who's going to pitch? Beyond David Bush on Tuesday (who is taking Ben Sheets' scheduled spot), no plans have been announced. CC Sabathia could be moved up a day to pitch Thursday (if not, he'll go Friday), Sheets hasn't ruled out pitching again this season in some capacity, and there could be a surprise return of Yovani Gallardo in the bullpen.

The Brewers have dominated the Pirates, winning 11 of 12 including all six at Miller Park. But they are only 5-8 against the Cubs, who may or may not be playing with peak intensity as they look forward to opening the division series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 1.

And in fact, the Cubs definitely will have a say in who they are matched against, as they will play four games in Shea Stadium beginning Monday before heading to Milwaukee. Ironically, the Cubs and Mets have played only twice this season (with the Cubs winning both), and now could face each other twice in a two-week span if they are paired in a division series.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have a 1½-game division lead and the easiest schedule, as they will finish in Citizens Bank Park against the Braves and Nationals. That leaves them with no excuses for not capturing one of the two playoff spots.