First, allow me to declare that I am well aware of sports jinxes and I do not intend this as one. Please, Baseball Gods, spare the Sox from the fallout of my hubris.

However, after how down everyone on this site has been over the past few weeks and months, I wanted to simply state:

The Red Sox are currently at 40-35. They're tied with the almighty Rays. They're about to pass the Orioles for second place. They're 6.5 games out of the East, but they're only 1.5 games out of the playoffs, and we all know that come playoff-time anything can happen.

The Sox are tied for the fifth-best record in the AL and the tenth-best record in MLB. The would be in first in the AL Central and would be .5 games out of the playoffs in the National League.

All I'm trying to get across to everyone is that after a horrendous end to last season, a tumultuous off-season, and a shaky beginning to this season amidst injuries and new faces, the Sox are right in this thing.

Let's stop placing blame. Let's stop hating Bobby V. Let's stop fearing the return of Crawford (I actually don't think I can!). Let's be proud. Let's be jubilant. Let's support these guys.

If they keep it up, we'll have reason to celebrate come October.