8.5 game lead. A dominant performance from DiceK. A solid win over the defending American League Champions. 12 of their next 18 games at Fenway. Six pivotal games against the Yankees.

Unless the Sox self-destruct against the Yankees and go 0-6 (which simply isn't going to happen), they could open June with a commanding lead in the division race. I realize that Yankees fans believe that the regular season doesn't start until sometime in the early fall but if the Sox enter June with this type of lead in the division and Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield and DiceK aren't stricken with polio, the race is over.

So you might as well get to Fenway while the games still mean something.

Our friends at Tickets-For-Charity have plenty of tickets for the 12 games that may very well end the AL East before all those idiots are running for seats to watch the fireworks on the Esplanade. There really aren't any bad games- Tigers and Braves this week and then the Indians and Yankees from May 28th to June 3rd. Give them a call at 1-866-567-4576 to get tickets. They are a primary seller for the Sox which means they get access to the hardest to find tickets- State Street Pavilion, Monster, Right Field Roof Deck, and Infield and Outfield Grandstands. And if the ticket is priced at more than face value then the additional amount goes to charity.

Watch the Red Sox clinch and do some penance for that thing you did the other night. You know what you did, dirty boy.