Beckett and champagne?

In case you’re wondering, the Red Sox have decided to ad-lib.

"What I don’t think we need to do is ever script anything," Sox manager Terry Francona said when asked whether the team planned to celebrate a potential playoff-clinching victory tonight. "If we’re fortunate enough to win and get a playoff spot, guys should act how they want to act."

Added the manager: "Getting to the playoffs is no small feat. I wouldn’t ever go in [the clubhouse] and tell guys to cool it."

So there you have it.

Wear rain gear.

That said, a few points about tonight’s game: Josh Beckett has not faced the Indians since last postseason entering tonight’s tilt with the immortal Zach Jackson (0-3, 6.48), Cleveland’s scheduled starter. All signs point to a Red Sox victory in this game, which, of course, is worrisome for those of you who believe that there is no such thing as a sure bet. Add in the fact that Cliff Lee (22-2) is scheduled to pitch for the Indians tomorrow night and it’s enough to make you a little nervous.

The last thing the Red Sox want this week is to get to Wednesday without having clinched a playoff spot. The Yankees do not play tonight and have 18-game-winner Mike Mussina facing the Blue Jays tomorrow night in Toronto; as many of you have pointed out this week, the Yankees are due to arrive at Fenway on Friday for a three-game series.

Presumably, the Red Sox will have secured a playoff spot by then.

But you never know.

One final thing before this series begins: Lee has not faced the Sox yet this year and all previous history against him should be thrown out the window for an obvious reason: He’s a different pitcher now. We hope to examine this in greater detail before tomorrow’s game, but there’s a playoff spot to clinch first.

Isn’t there?