Americans were mesmerised last night, tens of millions nervously watching the TV, some in prayer as the evening unfolded.

This was not election night of course; it was more important than that. It was the biggest baseball game for years, the Cleveland Indians playing the Chicago Cubs for the World Series.

But next Tuesday night, in all seriousness, this nation really will be on edge.

At stake, the future direction - even the cohesion - of the USA.

Hillary Clinton has a new tactic for this final week. She is asking Americans to imagine how they will feel on January 20th when the new President is being inaugurated:

She is hoping this closing pitch will work with independent voters, who feel that the President needs to be a clear and thoughtful voice, and a role model for children.

President Obama has been providing a helping hand, campaigning here in North Carolina to increase turnout among millennial and African American voters. But ultimately he cannot get Mrs Clinton over the finishing line.

Mrs Clinton must seal the deal for herself. She must overcome the weary sense that she is scandal-prone and ethically-challenged.

She is ahead in key states, and remains the clear favourite to win. But it is not comfortable and for Democrats there is a danger that Trump is building up some late momentum.

Tomorrow, millions of baseball bans will have hangovers.

But then they must make their final decision: Do they vote for a woman who constitutes Obama's third term, or a maverick who threatens to be a geopolitical wrecking ball, but who promises change?