Normally when Clay Buchholz throws a gem like he did last night, we would start off with that. But as happy as we are about the outing from Buchholz and the fact that the Boston Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 3-2, the news isn’t all cute puppies and kittens.

It looks as though the Red Sox will go through the rest of the 2012 season without their third baseman Will Middlebrooks who was hit with 96 mph fastball in the wrist. The fastball from Esmil Rogers was not intentional at all but nonetheless it’s a costly injury for the Red Sox.

The reports this morning are stating that WMB has a broken wrist and is likely lost for the season. It’s also being reported that newly acquired Danny Valencia will be called up from the PawSox to replace Middlebrooks on the 25-man roster.

WMB came up when Kevin Youkilis went down earlier in the season and played his way, a season early, on to the Red Sox roster for years to come. He’s had a heck of a rookie season as he was hitting .288 with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs and four stolen bases in 75 games before the injury.

Now I know that they acquired Valencia to provide depth in case of something like this but given how he hit with the Minnesota Twins, should they really call him up.

Bobby Valentine has been trying to find ways to get Pedro Ciriaco in the lineup. With David Ortiz being on the DL, he’s been able to do that occasionally. So why can’t they move Aviles over to third, a position he can play, and put Ciriaco in at shortstop. Just a wild thought here.

Whenever the Red Sox have needed a good positive start from a starter the one pitcher who seems to be answering the call is Buchholz. On a team where Jon Lester and Josh Beckett are supposed to be the aces of the team, it’s been Buchholz who looks like the true ace of the 2012 Red Sox.

Yes he got off to a slow start at least ERA wise but once he got comfortable on the mound knowing that his back was healthy, he’s been outstanding.

Because of poor starts lately, the bullpen has been overused again like it was earlier in the season. So the fact that Clay was able to throw a complete game last night and do it with an efficient 104 pitches will help the bullpen out for the next two games. Now with the off day on Monday, Valentine can use his bullpen as he sees fit over these next few days.

Buchholz did give up a home run in the 1st inning to Asdrubal Cabrera but then set down the next eight batters he faced until Cabrera doubled off of him to lead off the 4th. From there though, he allowed just one batter to reach base and that was Jason Donald who reached on errors by Dustin Pedroia and Aviles.

Going forward, they’ll need Buchholz to continue this run along with the others stepping up their games. It’s the others that worry me as I have the utmost confidence in Buchholz when he steps out on the mound.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take a look at the overnight links from the media.

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

Buchholz bolsters Red Sox [boston globe]

Mixed signals behind the plate [boston globe]

Middlebrooks breaks wrist [boston globe]

Clay Buchholz plays ace [boston herald]

Ask the Sox, John Lackey’s their guy [boston herald]

Costly win for Will [boston herald]

Ross in the clutch [boston herald]

Middlebrooks has fracture of right wrist [rob bradford – weei.com]

Clay Buchholz hurls two-hitter [csn new england]

Buckley: Why is Lackey still in clubhouse? [csn new england]

Valentine: Ortiz doubtful to return Sunday [csn new england]

Buchholz delivers dominant performance [csn new england]

Pedroia heating up at right time [csn new england]

Report: Middlebrooks has broken wrist [csn new england]

Middlebrooks thanks fans via twitter [csn new england]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 3, Indians 2 [espn boston]

Valentine: Middlebrooks hit in ‘bad spot’ [espn boston]

Valentine: Ortiz not likely to play Sunday [espn boston]

Buchholz’ brilliance gives Sox needed lift [espn boston]

Report: Middlebrooks has broken wrist [espn boston]

Closing Time: Clay Buchholz continues to dominate, this time leading Red Sox past Indians [full count]

A reminder why Clay Buchholz might be the Red Sox most important player [full count]

A look at what the Red Sox will do without Will Middlebrooks [full count]

Red Sox Dwindling Playoff Hopes Rest Squarely on Right Arm of Budding Ace Clay Buchholz [nesn.com]

Middlebrooks reportedly has broken right wrist [redsox.com]

Papi takes day off to rest, Sunday return unlikely [redsox.com]

Podsednik rejoins Red Sox; Kalish optioned [redsox.com]

Doubront to have next turn through rotation skipped [redsox.com]

Valentine: Beer rule doesn’t apply to road clubhouses [redsox.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, be sure to head over to the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Burning River Baseball.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: getty images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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

UConn Football links

DC answered a question in his mailbag [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Hand’s Matt Walsh talks about his decision to commit to UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn’s Cochran, Stewart talk about their health [jim fuller – new haven register]

Injuries and a transfer impacting QB and DT depth [jim fuller – new haven register]

Terry Baltimore Cup Final: Teggart’s BCS-clinching kick vs. Moore’s one-handed grab [the uconn blog]

UConn Football Holds Annual Media Day [uconnhuskies.com]

Injured UConn QB Cochran sits and waits for his chance [ct post]

QB Scott McCummings Expected Back At UConn Camp Next Week [hartford courant]

Two biggest question marks taking hits already [new haven register]

Hand RB/LB Matt Walsh commits to Huskies [new haven register]

Lineman from Denmark has UConn hopeful [norwich bulletin]

Seniors boast lots of experience to lead Huskies back to the top [the hour]

Connecticut: 5 questions heading into the season [cbssports.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn recruiting target stars for U-17 squad [jim fuller – new haven register]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Cancelled Due to Inclement Weather [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

After losing last night 5-3, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track in the second game of a four-game set with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on SportsTime Ohio (STO). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Clay Buchholz looks for his 10th win of 2012 in his 20th start. In his previous 19 starts, Buchholz is 9-3 with a 4.48 ERA. He picked up the win in his only start of 2012 against the Tribe after allowing three runs in 6.1 innings of work. Buchholz has made four career starts against the Indians and is 1-1 with a 5.32 ERA. He’s made two starts at Progressive Field where he is 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA (5 ER/14.1 IP).

Chris Seddon makes just his third apperance (second start) for the Erie Warriors this season. In his previous two starts (one appearance), Seddon has no record with a 7.71 ERA (4 ER/4.2 IP). He has not faced the Red Sox this season and is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/4.2 IP).in three career appearances.

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

Here are today’s lineups:

55-58		52-60
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Ezequiel Carrera	LF
2. Mike Aviles	SS	2. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Shin-Soo Choo	RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Carlos Santana	C
5. Cody Ross	RF	5. Michael Brantley	CF
6. Will Middlebrooks	3B	6. Shelley Duncan	DH
7. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	7. Casey Kotchman	1B
8. Kelly Shoppach	C	8. Jack Hannahan	3B
9. Scott Podsednik	LF	9. Jason Donald	2B
Clay Buchholz	SP	Chris Seddon	SP

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

NOTES:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

Red Sox Sign Dedgar Jimenez For $175,000 [baseball america]

On postgame beer drinking in Red Sox’ clubhouse [clubhouse insider]

Explaining why John Lackey is with the Red Sox during surgery rehab [clubhouse insider]

Felix Doubront to miss at least his next start for Red Sox [clubhouse insider]

Mullen on the Minors: Couch adjust to changing role [csn new england]

Veteran OF Podsednik re-joins Red Sox [csn new england]

Sox to skip Doubront’s next scheduled start [csn new england]

Podsednik slots right back into lineup [csn new england]

Buchholz tries to lift fading Sox [espn boston]

If it’s coming, Red Sox run must start soon [espn boston]

Red Sox giving Doubront a rest [extra bases]

Will Adrian Gonzalez Reach the 25 Home Run Plateau This Season? [nesn.com]

Report: Pedro Ciriaco Being Considered for Outfield Spot in Hopes of Increasing Options for Playing Time [nesn.com]

White-Hot Adrian Gonzalez Continues to Rake, Looks to Help Red Sox Stop Slide Against Indians [nesn.com]

Jenny Dell, Red Sox Nation Team Up to TweetUp, Share Laughs at Social Media Event (Video) [nesn.com]

Two months into Triple-A stint, Mark Prior still battling [projo sox blog]

Doubront to have turn skipped in Baltimore [projo sox blog]

Podsednik back in uniform and in lineup [projo sox blog]

Valentine, players support Lackey [projo sox blog]

Buchholz looks to right Red Sox’s ship vs. Tribe [redsox.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credits: ap photo, getty images

I really don’t want to give up on the 2012 version of the Boston Red Sox. I really don’t. But with the way this team is playing on the field, they’re making it very hard for me and probably others out there to not want to care anymore.

I know these guys are giving their all but with the money that some people spend on this team, why should they any more.

The New England Patriots kicked off the preseason, the Boston Bruins will hopefully be starting preseason camp soon and the Boston Celtics are about a month away from the preseason. Given how the Red Sox are playing why shouldn’t we turn our attention to the other sports in Boston (for the record, I’m not a Bruins fan.)

The Red Sox entered the month of August on a four-game winning streak that gave us hope, hope of better things. Then they lost four straight games before winning two to even up their record yet again. But after last night’s 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians that sent the local nine to their third straight loss, the postseason is looking bleaker by the minute.

Honestly, unless a miracle happens, this team will be making vacation plans in October instead of going to the playoffs. Yes anything can happen. All you need to do is look at the collapse last year. What’s to say this team doesn’t suddenly go on a huge run and instead of drowning in our sorrows, we’re celebrating a possible playoff berth.

The talent is there. But given what we’ve seen from this 2012 version of the Red Sox it’s probably not going to happen.

Felix Doubront, who had been one of the most reliable starters the Red Sox have had this season, hasn’t been quite cutting the mustard as of late. Maybe it’s the workload as he enters new territory or maybe it is his inexperience. Whatever the case may be, it’s not helpful to your bullpen when you only go 4.1 innings and walk more than you strikeout.

Doubront definitely has the makings to be a middle of the rotation guy down the line, he’s shown that this season. But right now, he may be better served by either going to the bullpen or even back into Triple-A and limiting his innings in the big leagues.

Despite the fact the Red Sox have been craptastic as of late, Adrian Gonzalez continues to swing a hot stick at the plate. He added another home run last night and now has his average back up over .300. He’s been tearing the cover off the ball lately. But when it seems like he’s the only one doing it, the Red Sox aren’t going to win too many games.

Honestly, I really don’t know what else to say about this team. I want to give up but I can’t. And honestly, it’s got nothing to do with the website. I can still talk about the Red Sox and not care what I say.

But I’m not going to do that and I’m not going to give up on this team, yet (yet is the key word in the sentence by the way). There’s still three games left in Cleveland before a day off in Baltimore. What’s to say the Red Sox can’t win the next three games and get back to .500. But if they happen to go 1-3 or, gasp, 0-4 in the Rock & Roll Capital of the World, I and probably others, will most likely give up on this team and start looking forward to other things.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take a look at the overnight links from the media.

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

Lowly Indians give Red Sox a beating [boston globe]

Relievers paying a toll to get by [boston globe]

Ortiz in a painful spot [boston globe]

Sox postseason quest trips out of block in Cleveland [boston herald]

Fast unraveling for laboring Felix Doubront [boston herald]

Adrian Gonzalez in swing of things [boston herald]

Justin Masterson backs Josh Beckett [boston herald]

Henry Owens moving up top prospect charts [boston herald]

Red Sox drop third straight after 5-3 loss to Tribe [csn new england]

Rare bad play by Ciriaco costs Sox [csn new england]

Signs are there that Sox are giving up on the season [csn new england]

Doubront struggles with command, possible fatigue [csn new england]

Mullen’s Minor League Notebook: August 9, 2012 [csn new england]

Sox notes: Playoff run depends on health [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: Indians 5, Red Sox 3 [espn boston]

Another day, another shaky pitching effort [espn boston]

Closing Time: Doubront, Red Sox offense hit wall in Cleveland [full count]

Nuggetpalooza: Three disappointing nuggets on the disappointing Red Sox [full count]

Red Sox Can’t Offer Any Excuses After Another Disappointing Loss Full of Missed Chances [nesn.com]

Papi could return to lineup this weekend [redsox.com]

Bailey takes step forward, close to returning [redsox.com]

Pedroia makes first career start as designated hitter [redsox.com]

Formula for failure: Red Sox’ offense loses its way [alex speier – weei.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England,  ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, be sure to head over to the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Burning River Baseball.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: getty images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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

UConn Football links

Update: OL Stephen Brown’s Decision To Leave The Program [desmond conner – hartford courant]

8/9 UConn alumni update [jim fuller – new haven register]

Terry Baltimore Cup Semifinals: Taylor’s fake fair catch vs. Moore’s one-handed grab [the uconn blog]

DeLeone Gets Tough With UConn Offensive Line [hartford courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn To Host Baylor Feb. 18 [rich elliott – ct post]

Three Huskies Register Double Figures to Lift USA to 86-73 Victory Over Australia [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Recruit Kentan Facey Displays His Shot-Blocking Ability [dom amore – hartford courant]

Kuran Iverson and Terrence Samuel visiting [kevin duffy – ct post]

Notes/Quotes from Facey commitment: “All indication is that Kevin Ollie may be the new head coach.” [kevin duffy – ct post]

Other UConn related links

M. Golf. Hughes, Masso Named Captains [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Hosts Northeastern in Exhibition on Friday [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Q&A with the BIG EAST Men’s Soccer Preseason Favorites [bigeast.org]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

With the Boston Red Sox slowly but surely falling out of the playoff race in the American League, there’s probably no one who can help this team out. Or is there?

After trading Scott Podsednik to the Arizona Diamondbacks along with Matt Albers for Craig Breslow, Podsednik was optioned to Triple-A Reno by the DBacks. But instead of taking the option, he used his right to become a free agent.

Well now, the Red Sox are bringing Podsednik back. And they aren’t bringing him back to provide depth in Triple-A Pawtucket.

Source: Podsednik back with #RedSox on major-league deal.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 10, 2012

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Ryan Kalish will be optioned to Triple-A to make room for Pods on the 25-man roster.

Sox signed Scott Podsednik will send Ryan Kalish back to Pawtucket. Pod signing first reported by @ken_rosenthal

— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) August 10, 2012

In 19 games earlier this season with the Red Sox, Podsednik hit .387 with one home run, seven RBIs and five stolen bases.

So folks, if you were thinking about saving up some money for the 2012 MLB Playoffs, you better start. Podsednik’s coming back and he’s going to save our season. You can bet on that (actually don’t since I’m being sarcastic).

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: ap photo

After falling 10-9 yesterday to the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox take to the road for a 10 game, 11 day road trip. They’ll get it started tonight in Cleveland with the first of a four-game set with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on SportsTime Ohio (STO). And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will coverage of the game (outside of Red Sox and Indians television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Felix Doubront takes the bump for the 22nd time in 2012. In his previous 21 starts, Doubront is 10-5 with a 4.56 ERA. His lone career start against the Indians came earlier this season when he picked up the win after allowing one run in six innings of work back on May 12th. This will be his first start at Progressive Field.

Ubaldo Jimenez makes his 23rd start for struggling Indians. In his previous 22 starts, Jimenez is 8-11 with a 5.29 ERA. He took the loss in his only start of 2012 against the Red Sox after allowing seven runs in 4.1 innings of work back on May 11th. Jimenez has made two career starts against the Red Sox and is 0-1 with a 11.70 ERA (13 ER/10 IP).

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

Here are today’s lineups:

55-57		51-60
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Jason Donald	2B
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
3. Dustin Pedroia	DH	3. Shin-Soo Choo	RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Carlos Santana	DH
5. Cody Ross	RF	5. Michael Brantley	CF
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Shelley Duncan	LF
7. Will Middlebrooks	3B	7. Brent Lillibridge	3B
8. Mike Aviles	SS	8. Casey Kotchman	1B
9. Pedro Ciriaco	SS	9. Lou Marson	C
Felix Doubront	SP	Ubaldo Jimenez	SP

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

NOTES:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

Thanks to starters, Red Sox will be forced to call an uncomfortable audible [rob bradford – weei.com]

Rotation set: Jon Lester on Sunday; Josh Beckett next week [clubhouse insider]

Ortiz continues to feel good, eyes Sunday return [csn new england]

Pedroia gets ‘half-day off’ as designated hitter [csn new england]

Video: What should Sox do with Beckett? [espn boston]

At 19, Bogaerts on the rise [espn boston]

Andrew Bailey hopes to achieve another rehab ‘milestone’ [extra bases]

Podcast: Where are Sox headed? [extra bases]

Bailey goes back-to-back days in Triple A [extra bases]

Andrew Bailey on returning to the majors: ‘I feel real close’ [full count]

Hot-Hitting Adrian Gonzalez, Cody Ross Power Sox into Cleveland for Start of 10-Game Road Trip [nesn.com]

Will Middlebrooks Continues to Be One of Lone Bright Spots for Red Sox During Tumultuous Season [nesn.com]

Larry Lucchino Says Bobby Valentine Has ‘Done a Good Job,’ Attributes Red Sox’ Struggles to ‘Combination of Factors’ [nesn.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Indians and Origins [projo sox blog]

Confidence, mechanical tweaks have Crawford cruising [projo sox blog]

New acquisition Valencia trying to find consistency [projo sox blog]

Diminutive De La Torre mowing hitters down for PawSox [projo sox blog]

Top prospect Bogaerts promoted to Double-A Portland [projo sox blog]

Bailey throws scoreless inning, “itching to get back” [projo sox blog]

Pedroia gets the nod at DH [projo sox blog]

Ortiz could return on Sunday [projo sox blog]

Red Sox set rotation for weekend [projo sox blog]

Doubront looking to continue dominance of AL Central vs. Tribe [redsox.com]

Ranaudo’s season could be over [alex speier – weei.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credits: reuters pictures, getty images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

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

UConn Football links

Former UConn Quarterback Michael Nebrich Talks About Decision To Leave The Program [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Terry Baltimore Cup Semifinals: Teggart’s BCS-clinching kick vs. Hernandez’s two-point conversion [the uconn blog]

Bucs hope Orlovsky can push QB Freeman [ct post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

2013 center Kentan Facey commits to UConn [kevin duffy – ct post]

LuHi’s Facey picks UConn, his ‘dream’ school [ny post]

Other UConn related links

M. Golf. Five Freshmen Join UConn Golf Team [uconnhuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

While Chandler Whitmer has been declared QB1 for the UConn Huskies football team, the competition for the backup spot has been lessened by one. Backup true sophomore QB Michael Nebrich has decided to transfer.

Here’s the release from UConn:

STORRS, Conn. (August 8, 2012) – University of Connecticut sophomore quarterback Mike Nebrich (Burke, Va.) announced that he will transfer to another school on Wednesday morning. Nebrich began UConn camp as second on the depth chart along with senior Johnny McEntee (Fullerton, Calif.).

Nebrich played in eight games last year as a true freshman and passed for 69 yards and had ten yards of rushing. He was three of eight for 60 yards in UConn’s opening win over Fordham on Sept. 3.

With Casey Cochran battling an injured wrist suffered in a non-football accident, the transfer of Neibrich leads me to believe that Cochran will most likely be redshirted this season giving him four more years, hopefully at UConn.

And if Cochran is redshirted this season, that leaves only Scott McCummings and Johnny McEntee as backups to Whitmer. McCummings figures to see a lot of action if the Huskies employ the “Wildcat” again this year like they did last year with him.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

photo credit: tia ann chapman – hartford courant

After falling 6-3 last night, the Boston Red Sox look to take the series this afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game set with the Texas Rangers at historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Rangers television market, you can catch the game on FOX Sports Southwest. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

After having his last start skipped due to back spasms, Josh Beckett returns to the bump to make his 19th start of 2012. In his previous 18 starts, Beckett is 5-9 with a 4.54 ERA. He’s made two starts against the Rangers this season and is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA (7 ER/14 IP). Overall in his career, Beckett has made 10 starts against the Rangers and is 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 0-2 with a 6.66 ERA.

Matt Harrison takes the ball for the 22nd time this season this afternoon. In his previous 21 starts, Harrison is 13-6 with a 3.17 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox in 2012 and was 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA in three starts in 2011. Harrison has made seven appearances (five starts) against the local nine in his career and is 3-1 with a 6.10 ERA.  Three of those appearances (two starts) have come at the Fens where he is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA (9 ER/12 IP).

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

Here are today’s lineups:

64-45		55-56
1. Ian Kinsler	2B	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Elvis Andrus	SS	2. Carl Crawford	LF
3. Josh Hamilton	CF	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Adrian Beltre	3B	4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
5. Nelson Cruz	RF	5. Cody Ross	RF
6. Michael Young	DH	6. Will Middlebrooks	3B
7. David Murphy	LF	7. Ryan Lavarnway	DH
8. Geovany Soto	C	8. Kelly Shoppach	C
9. Mitch Moreland	1B	9. Pedro Ciriaco	SS
Matt Harrison	SP	Josh Beckett	SP

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

NOTES: Vicente Padilla has been placed on the 15-day DL with arm soreness. He’s been replaced on the 25-man roster by Clayton Mortensen.

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

Lester is at a loss (his 10th) after another tough outing [boston globe]

Ortiz planning a weekend comeback [boston globe]

Jon Lester bad enough [boston herald]

David Ortiz on deck [boston herald]

All tangled up in blue [boston herald]

Josh Beckett talks good game in radio interview [boston herald]

Herald readers: Let’s keep Bobby Valentine [boston herald]

Lester, Sox falter down the stretch, lose to Rangers, 6-3 [csn new england]

Valentine: ‘We just didn’t get the breaks’ [csn new england]

Pedroia loses cool after called strike three, gets tossed [csn new england]

Middlebrooks pinch-hit homer a bright spot in loss [csn new england]

Lester coming around, although results don’t show it [csn new england]

State of the Sox notebook: August 7, 2012 [csn new england]

Red Sox in Outer Space [csn new england]

Padilla to DL, Mortensen called back up [csn new england]

Bobby V.: Nobody went ‘up the back stairs’ [csn new england]

Pedroia, umpire meet again at plate [csn new england]

Hits just keep on coming for AGon [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: Rangers 6, Red Sox 3 [espn boston]

Josh Beckett may need Boston Red Sox fans on his side [espn boston]

Should Bobby V trust vote of confidence? [espn boston]

Valentine thinks Sox are playoff team [espn boston]

Bobby V. rejects this second-guess [espn boston]

Olt fan catches Middlebrooks’ home run [espn boston]

Vicente Padilla to DL, Mortensen up from Triple A [extra bases]

Closing Time: Jon Lester, Red Sox continue to tread water with loss to Rangers [full count]

David Ortiz comes to the defense of Josh Beckett [full count]

Bobby Valentine on D&C: Players show too much frustration with umpires [full count]

Ryan Lavarnway named best defensive catcher in International League; Jackie Bradley Jr. best everything in Carolina League [full count]

Rich Hill Will Travel to Fort Myers on Wednesday to Begin Rehab Process [nesn.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Hopes to Go Deeper Into Game in Next Rehab Start [nesn.com]

Franklin Morales Scheduled to Start Saturday, Aaron Cook’s Turn Pushed Back as Bobby Valentine Shuffles Rotation [nesn.com]

Bobby Valentine Hears Fenway Faithful Chant His Name Days After Calling for His Job [nesn.com]

Red Sox Angry With Umpire’s Decision in the Eighth, Prompts Jon Lester to Deem It ‘A Bad Call’ [nesn.com]

Jon Lester Displays Improvement on Mound but Lack of Run Support Hurts His Cause [nesn.com]

Red Sox Place Vicente Padilla on 15-Day Disabled List As Precaution With Biceps Soreness [nesn.com]

Should the Red Sox Consider Using a Six-Man Rotation the Rest of This Season? [nesn.com]

Valentine: Big finish very possible for Red Sox [projo sox blog]

Padilla to disabled list, Mortensen called up [projo sox blog]

Andrews tells Atchison he doesn’t need surgery [redsox.com]

Beckett looks to deliver series win for Red Sox [redsox.com]

Out of lineup, Middlebrooks hits first pinch-hit homer [redsox.com]

Pedroia unhappy about call, ejected inning later [redsox.com]

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photo credits: reuters pictures, getty images