Before I get into the news and notes of the day, I must say something important. Shame on me for forgetting to mention this yesterday.

The WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon has been happening since yesterday and will go until midnight tonight. You can bid on a 2007 World Series Ring or even just make a small donation. Your donation will be for a great cause and even a small amount can help with striking out cancer.

Here is a look at what NESN put together for before the game last night.

After watching the Boston Red Sox put up 37 runs and 42 hits in 3 games against the Texas Rangers, you have to wonder if it’s possible that we can play them for the rest of the season. It’s been fun to watch the past three nights with the exception of blowing the lead on Tuesday night but things won’t get any easier with the AL’s best starting pitching staff in the Toronto Blue Jays coming to town.

Jon Lester has gone through what Clay Buchholz is going through right now and has been offering him some encouragement.

“It’s a tough time to go through because you think you prepare and you do everything you’re supposed to do to go out and pitch, and you don’t get the results you want,” Lester said. “That’s real tough. But that’s what kind of [stinks] about being a starting pitcher, you only get to do it every five days, so you get a lot of time to think about it and overanalyze. I think he just needs to go out and pitch and eventually it will work itself out.

“I don’t think it’s mechanics. His mechanics have been the same. He’s throwing the ball the same, his stuff’s the same, it’s just a matter of, ‘OK, I believe I’m going to get this guy out with this pitch and you’re not going to touch it.’ With pitching, it’s a fragile game. The fine line [is] between having that confidence and kind of doubting yourself, ‘OK, is he going to hit this off my forehead, or is he going to swing and miss?’ “

Curt Schilling checks in over at 38 Pitches.

The deadline to sign draft picks ends at 11 PM tonight and the Red Sox are still working on getting their 4th and 5th round picks signed.

The Rangers still haven’t signed their top draft pick.

As I have been saying all along, Dice-K is really Houdini.

Will Nolan Ryan shake up the Rangers in 2009?

Manny Ramirez finally got a haircut and Extra Bases has a comparison shot of it.

Kevin Youkilis is making a case for AL MVP.

David Ortiz and Youk are packing a pretty good punch in the 3-4 spots for the Red Sox.

For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant and Providence Journal websites.

And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying you can check out Dallas Morning News and Star-Telegram websites.