*LATE BREAKING NOTES: WELCOME TO THUNDERDOME*

1) According to the Newark Star-Ledger, umpires may issue bean-ball warnings to each bench before the start of tonite game.

II) Sawks

*Dice-Cold (oh, that’s a good one!)*

A Japanese newspaper wrote Dice-L is engaged in “hitori zumo” – which translates to something like “sumo-wrestling himself,” (now, that’s metaphysical).

He apologized yesterday to the Japanese media, saying, “I hope to make next year’s party more cheerful,” (he turned 27 yesterday).

*DEPEND®*

Mike Lowell returns from unknown illness tonite. His ailment? “I don’t know, but he’s having activity at both ends,” said manager Terry Francona

*Pack-Man*

Schilling, who is in the final season of his contract, openly mused this week about pitching for Tampa Bay next season (no, really!!). When told, Roger Clemens broke out in laughter.

*The Untouchable*

Former FBI agent Whitey Bolger (“The Departed�) briefly surfaced in Sicily. A tip to my former friends in the FBI, he’s in a sports-bar tonite. (ps I will aceept the reward money)

*Manny Being Out*

Manny has been ruled out for the series. PHEW!!

Without their leading hitter in the line-up, the Sox are 9-6. This year, the future Hall of Famer posted slugged .392 (20 for 51) against his future team.

*Dunk’n Donut*

Leadoff batter, Julio Lugo is batting .193 (11 for 57) against the Bombers.

*III)Fight Da Power!*

Yanks enter on an 8-1 tear

Since May, the Red Sox and Yankees have met nine times – the Yanks have won all three series, going 7-2.

Wang has three of those wins.

Beckett hasn’t looked great against the Yankees – 5.49 ERA for the season.

A-Rod has five home runs against the Sox this season, including two against fashion maven, 38-Donuts.

Yanks 40-20 since the break, vs Boston’s 36-24

We’ve scored 80 runs in the past 15 games.

We have six starters batting .300 or better since the break.

9 Straight Division Titles

13 Straight Playoff Appearances

26 Championships And 39 Pennants

*Scooter*

Baby Bomber, Scooter Squirrel is still unbeaten, going 4-0 since being called up.

*Jabba ‘da Beast*

Jabba’ fastball topped out at – 94-97 mph Wed. instead of 97-100. Why – weight-room work before the game. He spoke of “heavy legs” during his second inning of work. “He looked a little loggy,” Torre said. New Rules: no lifting before gameday, “Nature-Boy.â€?

*Only Shelley Can Stop Shelly*

Shelley is doubtful for this weekend’s series. The Daily News speculates he will need off season surgery to repair his hernia.

Single digit odds when we’re 4 games out with 3 head-to-head left is absurd.

My only worry is a sweep at Boston. We have not played well on the road at all this year, particularly against the elite teams.

If we play to win every game, as we’re doing now, we can take the division.

Even if we don’t, barring a complete collapse, we’re playing much better baseball than the Sox…

The only thing you should root for is to make the postseason and that is it.

Last year it was “the Yankees have the Tigers number. We beat them every game but the two that Mariano couldn’t pitch.” Personally, the fact that we are 6-0 versus a very good Cleveland team makes me very nervous.

Please stop panicking over the Angels. I have a feeling that things can be very, very different against them once THEY are deemed the “favorites” and WE are the “underdogs.”