In a span of a week, the Red Sox have once again turned the lead into a cushion. After overpowering the White Sox by a score of 46-7 in a four-game road sweep, the Red Sox have opened their lead back to 7 1/2 games. They'll either add or subtract a half-game to that following the completion of the Yankees-Tigers series in Detroit on Monday night. The Red Sox might well be able to see those mythical ropes. But they're not going to succumb to bulletin-board quotes or knockout predictions. "I think it's a chance for us to play a good series," said Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. "I think that's [the media's] job. That's a better story for [the media]."