It's time to get serious. Splitting with the Red Sox at home is fine and acceptable, especially in light of what went on last year, but now, as Hawk would say, is the time for the Sox to bow their necks.

The Sox have nine games against lousy teams: The Royals, A's and Mariners.  The Royals have been a pain in the rump for the White Sox lately.  Now is the time to put a boot on their neck and show them who's the boss at U.S. Commiskey Park.

The A's have the worst record in the American League since the All-star break.  True, the Sox struggle in Oakland, but they'll have to suck it up and play well.

The Mariners are the worst team in the AL and sport the league's worst road record.  They visit U.S. Commiskey next week. 

Boys, the time is now.  If you were ever going to get your fecal material together, this is the stretch. 

The Sox need to settle on a lineup, even if it doesn't include Junior Griffey and Paul Konerko.  The Sox need to have their bullpen do it's job, not choke away games they desperately need to win. 

The Twinkies aren't going away.  If the Sox are serious in wanting to win the Central, they need to take advantage of this stretch.

Sox fans have waited for a few weeks for this team to take off and go off on a six to ten game winning streak to take control of the division.  This seems like the right time.  And, it could be the last time if things don't go right.