Jon Lester (L), Paul Maholm (R)

After losing their final two games at home, the Boston Red Sox are on the road for a three city, nine-game trip through the National League. The trip begins tonight at PNC Park in Pittsburgh as they’ll take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a three-game set.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Pirates television market, you can catch the game on ROOT Sports. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

After failing to get an MLB-best 10th win in his last start, Jon Lester will try again in his 16th start of 2011. In his previous 15 starts, Lester is 9-3 with a 3.70 ERA. Tonight will mark his first career start against the Pirates. Lester is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in two interleague starts this year. In his career, Lester is 8-3 with a 3.02 ERA in 15 interleague starts.

Paul Maholm makes his 16th start of the season for skipper Clint Hurdle. In his previous 15 starts, Maholm is 3-8 with a 3.29 ERA. He’s never faced the Red Sox in his career.  He is 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA in two interleague starts this season. In his career, Maholm is 4-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 17 intereleague starts.

Click on the read more button below to see tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are tonight’s lineups:

Boston Red Sox44-30 Texas Rangers37-37
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 1. Jose Tabata LF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. Chase d’Arnaud 3B
3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B 3. Andrew McCutchen CF
4. Kevin Youkilis 3B 4. Neil Walker 2B
5. Darnell McDonald LF 5. Matt Diaz RF
6. Mike Cameron RF 6. Lyle Overbay 1B
7. Jason Varitek C 7. Ronny Cedeno SS
8. Marco Scutaro SS 8. Michael McKenry C
9. Jon Lester P 9. Paul Maholm P

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Boston Red Sox @ Pittsburgh Pirates batter/pitcher matchups

Reliever Michael Bowden has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. He’s been replaced on the 25-man roster by Scott Atchison.

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

Inter-league intrigue on tap for Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Some Sox-Pirates storylines [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox recall Scott Atchison and option Michael Bowden to Pawtucket [Extra Bases]

Kevin Millar on M&M: ‘Right field’s not that big of a deal; I played right field’ [Full Count]

Pirates Fans, Other Followers of Losing Clubs Can Stay Optimistic by Gambling, Watching ‘Good Will Hunting’ [NESN.com]

Top 10 Things to Watch For During Red Sox’ Nine-Game Interleague Road Trip [NESN.com]

Video: Go Behind the Scenes as Bruins Thrill Red Sox, Fenway Fans With Stanley Cup [NESN.com]

Friday Nuggetpalooza! [Nuggetpalooza]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Pirates and Rematches of Yore [NESN.com]

Lester goes for 10th victory against Bucs [RedSox.com]

Big Papi not in lineup for series opener vs. Bucs [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images