The Boston Red Sox need a wake up call. And they need it quickly.

Maybe Bobby Valentine getting ejected for protecting his players after some awful strike and non-strike calls late in the game is it. Obviously it didn’t work to rally them back in the 9th but it shows the players he’s got there back.

But if that isn’t it, they desperately need something to get them turned back around.

The Washington Nationals are not the doormat in the NL East anymore. Folks, this team is legit. The Nats are just not going to roll over and play dead.

They have one of the best pitching staff’s in the NL as evidenced by their numbers. And they came into Beantown this weekend and swept a three-game series from the local nine.

So what does this mean for the Red Sox?

Well for starters, it’s their third straight loss and when you break it down, they went 1-5 on the homestand. They are now a dismal 14-19 at a ballpark where they should have a clear advantage. In case you were wondering, they are 15-12 on the road.

I could sit here and talk about this game. But it seems to be the same old story for yesterday’s Jon Lester.

He just can’t seem to catch a break. He starts slow but finishes strong. But one play seems to haunt him.

Sure the no strike call in the 9th inning when it looked as though Alfredo Aceves had struck out Danny Espinosa played a factor especially because he took the next pitch and stroked a double to bring in Bryce Harper with the winning run.

Then you have the strike call against Dustin Pedroia in the 9th inning that would ultimately get Valentine ejected. The ball looked clearly outside. It wasn’t called that way.

It does seem like the Red Sox really can’t catch a break. There’s been so many injuries to guys this season that it’s not even funny anymore. Speaking of that, you can add Rich Hill to the walking wounded after he was placed on the 15-day DL with soreness in his surgically repaired left elbow.

In my opinion though, the Red Sox may not be as good as everyone thinks they are.

Obviously not winning at home is one thing but when you can’t do anything on offense against some of the better pitchers, things aren’t going to go well. They were totally dominated by all three Nationals starters. That’s just not going to cut the mustard in my book.

The Red Sox now head to Miami where they’ll play their next three games. One thing to keep an eye on is how Valentine gets at least three of his bigger bats, Adrian Gonzalez, Will Middlebrooks, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis, into the lineup with no designated hitter for the next six games. The first time in interleague play it was easier since Youk was on the DL.

But now he’s not and at this point, the Red Sox need any advantage they can get. Not having the DH doesn’t help matters in the least.

Hopefully Josh Beckett can light up his former team in the Marlins.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Loss of temper [Boston Globe]

Elbow woes send Hill to DL [Boston Globe]

Ortiz the choice in drive time [Boston Globe]

Sox swept to finish dreadful homestand [Boston Herald]

Lester’s losing patience [Boston Herald]

Losers lamenting [Boston Herald]

Umps, Nationals get best of Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Red Sox suffer 4-3 loss, sweep at hands of Nats [CSN New England]

Lester on starts: ‘It’s just Groundhog Day every day’ [CSN New England]

Nava scratched from Sunday’s game with sore left hand [CSN New England]

Questionable umpiring leaves Sox with bad taste [CSN New England]

Aceves still confident in his stuff after loss [CSN New England]

Red Sox blow chances in 9th inning [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Nationals 4, Red Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

Nava scratched, gets cortisone shot in hand [ESPN Boston]

Bobby Valentine grumbles about umpires after Washington Nationals sweep Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Nationals finish sweep with ninth-inning win vs. Red Sox [Full Count]

Red Sox frustration mounts as they’re swept away by the Nationals [Full Count]

Bobby Valentine Rips Umpiring Crew, Dustin Pedroia Says Calls During the Weekend Were ‘Disappointing’ [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava’s Hand Injury Remains a Mystery As He Contradicts Bobby Valentine’s Description [NESN.com]

Fenway Park Sells Out 745th Consecutive Regular-Season Game, Most in History of Any Major League Sport [NESN.com]

Consistency From Pitching Staff is Key to Red Sox’ Success the Rest of the Way [NESN.com]

Red Sox Won’t Be an Elite Team If They Can’t Hit Elite Pitching [NESN.com]

Red Sox conclude homestand on sour note [RedSox.com]

The next Hanley? Why Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts could be the next big thing [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 MASN, Washington Post and Washington Times websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother The Nats Blog for all of your Nationals needs.

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

Video: UConn’s defensive leaders [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Charles Sets Another WNBA Record [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Tiffany Hayes’ return spoiled by Tina Charles, Connecticut [New Haven Register]

Sun’s Charles’ 50th double-double sets WNBA speed record [Norwich Bulletin]

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

With Daniel Bard down in Triple-A trying to figure things out with his mechanics, the Boston Red Sox turned to Daisuke Matsuzaka to take his place. And with Dice-K returning to the hill for the first time in a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, no one quite knew what to expect from him.

Would we see the Dice-K who’s been dominating on the mound or would we see the one who has struggled? Well after watching him yesterday, I’d say it was a little bit of both.

He came out strong in the 1st inning striking out two of the three batters he faced. Then after giving up a leadoff home run to Adam LaRoche in the 2nd inning, he settled down and retired the next six batters he faced.

The trouble began in the 4th for Matsuzaka.

He walked Bryce Harper then gave up a single to Ryan Zimmerman. After striking out LaRoche, Michael Morse brought in Harper with a ground rule double. Ian Desmond followed that up with a single to bring two more. Dice-K escaped any further damage when Adrian Gonzalez made a great sliding catch in right field on a Danny Espinosa liner and then doubled up Desmond at first.

So was this a bad start for Matsuzaka? Yes and no.

Obviously there are some things for him to work on. But when you look at the fact he walked one and struck out eight, he can build from that as well. And if Bard can’t figure things out, the Red Sox will need Matsuzaka to pitch well going forward.

For the second straight day, the Red Sox ran into some good pitching from the Nationals. This time it was from Gio Gonzalez who has struggled against the Red Sox in his career.

The local nine managed just two hits off of Gonzalez through the first six innings and finally got to him in the 7th.

After retiring Kevin Youkilis, Gonzalez walked Will Middlebrooks and that was followed by a Mike Aviles single. Middlebrooks ended up at third on a Harper error. Craig Stammen came in for Gonzalez and walked pinch-hitter Ryan Sweeney. Jarrod Saltalamacchia pinch-hit for Kelly Shoppach and once again delivered in the clutch, this time off of Mike Gonzalez, when he hit a two-run double to cut the Nats lead to 4-2. Mike Gonzalez settled down though striking out Daniel Nava then got Dustin Pedroia to foul out as he continues to struggle since returning to the lineup.

The loss yesterday afternoon dropped the Red Sox below .500. We had all hoped the would stay above going forward once they had gotten above that line. Obviously they’ve run into some good pitching but they need to put together a nice little run here, especially when they’ll lose the DH for the next six games after the game this afternoon.

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

After falling 4-2 yesterday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox look to avoid a sweep of their three-game set this afternoon with the Washington Nationals at Historic Fenway Park.

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

Jon Lester will toe the rubber for the 13th time this season this afternoon. In his previous 12 starts, Lester is 3-4 with a 4.64 ERA. He last faced the Nats in 2009 when he got the win after allowing three runs in six innings of work. Overall in his career, he’s made two starts against the Nationals and is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12 IP). In 18 career interleague starts, Lester is 10-4 with a 2.99 ERA.

Jordan Zimmermann looks to pitch the Nats to a sweep of the Red Sox in his 12th start of 2012. In his previous 11 starts, Zimmermann is 3-5 with a 2.82 ERA. He picked up the win back in 2009 in his only career start against the Red Sox at Nationals Park. In that start, he allowed one run in seven innings of work. H

Here are today’s lineups:

34-23		29-30
1. Danny Espinosa	2B	1. Scott Podsednik	CF
2. Xavier Nady	RF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Michael Morse	DH	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Adam LaRoche	1B	5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
6. Ian Desmond	SS	6. Will Middlebrooks	3B
7. Tyler Moore	LF	7. Ryan Sweeney	RF
8. Jesus Flores	C	8. Nick Punto	SS
9. Roger Bernadina	CF	9. Darnell McDonald	LF
Jordan Zimmermann	SP	Jon Lester	SP

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

NOTES: Before yesterday’s game, the Red Sox activated Ryan Kalish from the 60-day DL and optioned him to Pawtucket. To make room on the 40-man roster for him, the Red Sox moved Jason Repko to the 60-day DL. Rich Hill was placed on the 15-day DL before today’s game. Taking his place on the 25-man roster is Mark Melancon who was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. Daniel Nava was scratched from the lineup and replaced by Darnell McDonald.

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

Sox are powerless to hit back [Boston Globe]

Lefty Gonzalez a tough follow-up act for Nationals [Boston Globe]

Outfielder Byrd is designated for assignment [Boston Globe]

They need Dice-K, and more [Boston Globe]

Daisuke Matsuzaka returns, Dustin Pedroia continues to struggle in Red Sox’ loss to Nats [Boston Herald]

Morales just does his job [Boston Herald]

Optimistic yet? No Dice [Boston Herald]

Coach pitches in with ‘Craw’ [Boston Herald]

Melancon back, Hill goes on DL and schedules visit to Dr. Andrews [Clubhouse Insider]

Nationals stymie Sox in Dice-K’s return, 4-2 [CSN New England]

Many positives, but Dice-K regrets walk to Harper [CSN New England]

Sox stretching out Morales [CSN New England]

Pedroia still searching for timing [CSN New England]

Hill (elbow) to DL, Melancon back with Sox [CSN New England]

Hill (elbow) to be examined on Monday [CSN New England]

Youkilis, Aviles get Sunday off vs. Nationals [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Nationals 4, Red Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K’s return something to build off [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia: Ankle is OK, hits will come [ESPN Boston]

Morales effective in stretched-out role [ESPN Boston]

Sox recall Melancon, put Hill on DL [ESPN Boston]

Mark Melancon up from AAA; Rich Hill to DL [Extra Bases]

Rich Hill to see Dr. James Andrews in Florida tomorrow [Extra Bases]

Daniel Nava scratched with sore left hand [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Gio Gonzalez, Nationals spoil Daisuke Matsuzaka’s return [Full Count]

Red Sox sign five college seniors from draft, close on deals with three more top picks [Full Count]

Franklin Morales showing his stamina, could be used for starting pitching depth [Full Count]

For Daisuke Matsuzaka, it’s a start: ‘Nervous’ outing offers a ‘usable’ foundation [Full Count]

Mark Melancon back in Boston after dominating Triple-A [Full Count]

Rich Hill (elbow) to see Dr. James Andrews [Full Count]

Nationals Are Young, But That Doesn’t Mean They Can’t Play October Baseball [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Returns From Yearlong Hiatus as a Mixed Bag Full of Positives, Negatives [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia Shrugs Off Tweaked Ankle Against Nationals, Recent Slump From the Past Week [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Should Be Taking Notes From Gio Gonzalez [NESN.com]

Is Will Middlebrooks or Bryce Harper More Deserving of an All-Star Nod? [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Says ‘I’m Not a Dinosaur’ Despite Accusations From Critics (Video) [NESN.com]

Rich Hill Experiences Discomfort With Surgically Repaired Left Elbow, Heads to the 15-Day Disabled List [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez, Darnell McDonald Lead Hot Red Sox Hitters Looking to Salvage Weekend Series With Nationals [NESN.com]

Melancon called up, Hill to DL [Projo Sox Blog]

Byrd designated for assignment by Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Crawford working on a new throwing motion [RedSox.com]

Dice-K has encouraging start in loss to Nats [RedSox.com]

Lester looks to get on track in finale vs. Nationals [RedSox.com]

A tale of two rotations for Red Sox, Nationals [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images, AP Photo

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 Women’s Basketball links

Ex-Huskies Hayes, Moore Return To Face Sun [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Calhoun takes his annual ride [Neill Ostrout – Journal Inquirer]

Calhoun says he’s not ready to ride into sunset [CT Post]

‘Borders are down’ for UConn men in pursuit of players overseas [CT Post]

Rain Doesn’t Dampen Spirit Of Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride And Walk [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Branford native, UConn product Mike Olt raking in Rangers system [New Haven Register]

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

After falling last night 7-4, the Boston Red Sox look to take the middle game of a three-game set this afternoon against the Washington Nationals at Historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Nationals television market, you can catch the game on MASN. And if you don’t live in either market, MLB Network will have coverage of the game (not in Red Sox or Nationals television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the Fenway bump almost one year to the day of undergoing Tommy John surgery. He made eight appearances (seven starts) in 2011 and was 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA. He has not faced the Nationals in his career.

Gio Gonzalez looks to keep the Nationals in first place in the NL East in his 12th start of the season. In his previous 11 starts, Gonzalez is 7-2 with a 2.31 ERA. He made two starts against the local nine in 2011 as a member of the Oakland A’s. In those two starts, he was 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA (8 ER/11.2 IP). Overall in his career, he’s made five starts against the Red Sox (all with the A’s) and is 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA. In three starts at the Fens, he is 1-0 with a 5.63 ERA.

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

Here are today’s lineups:

33-23		29-29
1. Steve Lombardozzi	LF	1. Daniel Nava	LF
2. Bryce Harper	RF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	RF
4. Adam LaRoche	1B	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Michael Morse	DH	5. Kevin Youkilis	1B
6. Ian Desmond	SS	6. Will Middlebrooks	3B
7. Danny Espinosa	2B	7. Mike Aviles	SS
8. Rick Ankiel	CF	8. Darnell McDonald	CF
9. Jesus Flores	C	9. Kelly Shoppach	C
Gio Gonzalez	SP	Daisuke Matsuzaka	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

The Baseball Show: Will Lester become a true ace? [CSN New England]

The Baseball Show: How is Bard handling being sent down to minors? [CSN New England]

Red Sox notes: Dice-K, Byrd, Ellsbury, Crawford [CSN New England]

Gio: ‘It was exciting’ to be wanted by Sox [ESPN Boston]

Valentine: Byrd ‘saved the day’ [ESPN Boston]

How Many Games Will Daisuke Matsuzaka Win This Season? [NESN.com]

Bryce Harper, Adrian Gonzalez Both Hot Coming Into Red Sox-Nationals Rematch [NESN.com]

Dice-K returns to Fenway stage as Sox host Nats [RedSox.com]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

The Washington Nationals and their two young prized possessions, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, took center stage on Friday night at Fenway Park. It was Strasburg who kept the Boston Red Sox hitters at bay while Harper was busy mashing the ball offensively in a 7-4 win for the visitor’s from our Nation’s capital.

In years past, the Nationals have been a pushover. Not this year folks.

With their win over the local nine on Friday night, they now stand at 33-23 and lead the NL East by a game over the Atlanta Braves. On the contrary, the Red Sox fall to back to .500 at 29-29 but are just four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

If you’ve never seen Strasburg’s stuff, let’s just say he’s filthy good. He throws his fastball between 96-100 MPH and has a nasty changeup to go along with a great curveball.

After the Red Sox touched him up for two runs in the 2nd inning, he settled down and retired the next 11 batters he faced, eight via the strikeout, until Dustin Pedroia singled in the 6th inning which turned out to be the only other time the Red Sox would have him on the ropes.

After the Pedroia single, Adrian Gonzalez doubled and that was followed by a walk to David Ortiz. But Strasburg beared down and struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia swinging and then finished off the threat by getting Kevin Youkilis on a called strike three. Youk didn’t think it was a strikeout and took exception to home plate umpire Doug Eddings call and was ejected from the game.

Offensively, it was a solid game for Gonzalez who went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and the previously mentioned double. He probably should have had three hits in the game but Xavier Nady stole a home run from him in front of the Nats bullpen in right field. Gonzalez along with Scott Podsednik can say they were the only ones who Strasburg didn’t strikeout. He finished the game with 13 strikeouts by the way.

Daniel Nava had two more hits atop the Red Sox lineup. Mike Aviles knocked in two runs with a double in the 2nd inning.

Felix Doubront started this one for the Red Sox and he looked good for the first two innings as he had his curveball working. But things took a turn for the worse in the 3rd and 4th innings when he was touched up for six runs. The main reason was that he was leaving pitches up in the zone, primarily his fastball and curveball, and the Nationals hitters took advantage of it.

Harper was one of those Nats hitters who did just that as he finished the night going 3-for-5 with a two-run homer off Doubront. He finished a triple short of the cycle.

In case you were wondering, Daniel Bard had a rough start for the PawSox. He hit two of the first three batters he faced and ended up giving up three runs in the one inning he was scheduled to work. Definitely not the start he or the Red Sox were probably looking for.

Yesterday Bard had said he found the flaw in his mechanics. It’s obvious after this one inning debacle that there’s a little more going on, probably mentally, for Bard. Hopefully, he can turn things around whether it be as a starter or a reliever. You hate to see someone with that much talent have something like this happen to him.

The Red Sox will welcome back Daisuke Matsuzaka to the rotation on Saturday afternoon. He’ll take the mound for the first time almost one year to the day after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It’ll be interesting to see what he can bring to the table tomorrow and going forward for the Red Sox who could certainly use a good outing from him.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Nationals show off treasures [Boston Globe]

Striking impression [Boston Globe]

Hype doesn’t get in way [Boston Globe]

Matsuzaka set for long-awaited 2012 debut [Boston Globe]

Phenoms rock Sox [Boston Herald]

Gio nice complement [Boston Herald]

At 19, Harper impresses all [Boston Herald]

Doubront can’t measure up in duel [Boston Herald]

Two National treasures [Boston Herald]

Bard sees progress in one-inning outing [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Strasburg, Harper overpower Sox [CSN New England]

Sox pleased with battles vs. Strasburg [CSN New England]

Harper torments Doubront [CSN New England]

Gonzalez collects 200th homer after being robbed in earlier at-bat [CSN New England]

Bard hits two, allows three runs in inning at Pawtucket [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Nationals 7, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Bard throws 1 inning in PawSox start [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K to return, start vs. Nats [ESPN Boston]

Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg overpower Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park debut [ESPN Boston]

Of phenoms, past and present: Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bobby Valentine [Full Count]

Before there was Stephen Strasburg, there was Mark Prior [Full Count]

Closing Time: Harper, Strasburg deliver historic performances as Nationals drop Red Sox [Full Count]

Bobby Valentine Downplays Notion That His Speaking Japanese Will Help Daisuke Matsuzaka in Return to Majors [NESN.com]

Stephen Strasburg Earns Respect From Red Sox Clubhouse As One of Baseball’s Elite Pitchers [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine’s Defense of Kevin Youkilis Shows Manager’s Commitment to Red Sox Through Peaks and Valleys [NESN.com]

Bryce Harper Relishes Fenway Park Atmosphere, Exceeds Expectations Against Red Sox [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Feeling Confident in Swing Again After Underwhelming Start to Season (Video) [NESN.com]

Former pitching coach Cather weighs in on Bard [Pawtucket Times]

Dice-K looking forward to ’emotional’ return [RedSox.com]

Command issues follow Bard to Triple-A [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 MASN, Washington Post and Washington Times websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother The Nats Blog for all of your Nationals needs.

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.

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

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Lamb Fighting Laid-Back Reputation [Hartford Courant]

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

With Daisuke Matsuzaka returning to the Boston Red Sox rotation on Saturday, the team had to clear a roster spot for him not only on the 25-man roster but also on the 40-man roster. The reason being is that the Red Sox had placed Dice-K on the 60-Day DL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Scott Podsednik.

After the game, Alex Speier of WEEI.com via Twitter reported that Marlon Byrd was meeting with Red Sox officials and manager Bobby Valentine after Friday night’s 7-4 loss to the Washington Nationals. Shortly thereafter, Ian Browne of MLB.com via Twitter reported that Byrd was going to be designated for assignment to make room for Dice-K.

Once the transaction becomes official, the Red Sox will have 10 days to trade Byrd or give him his outright release. If any team claims Byrd, they’d be responsible for what is remaining on the $6.5 million he’s set to earn this season.

Byrd was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on April 21st for Michael Bowden and a player to be named later who turned out to be Hunter Cervenka.

After starting out the season 3-for-43 with the Cubbies, Byrd hit .270 (27-for-100) with one home run and seven RBIs in 34 games for the local nine.

Dice-K’s last start in a Red Sox uniform came on May 16, 2011 when he got a no decision against the Baltimore Orioles. He ended up going on the disabled list on May 18, 2011 and had Tommy John surgery on June 10, 2011.

So he’ll be making his first start almost one year to the day, he underwent the dreaded surgery. Through two different rehab assignments this year, Dice-K went 0-3 with a 3.65 ERA making one start with the Salem Red Sox, one with the Portland Sea Dogs and six with the Pawtucket Red Sox.

With Daniel Bard‘s struggles continuing in his first start for the PawSox on Friday, it will be interesting to see what Matsuzaka brings to the table on Saturday as well as going forward.

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

After losing two-of-three to the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox will finish off their six-game homestand with interleague play. Tonight, they’ll welcome the Washington Nationals to Historic Fenway Park for the first game of a three-game set.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Nationals television market, you can catch the game on MASN. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Felix Doubront looks to continue his fine season in his 12th start of 2012. In his previous 11 starts, Doubront is 6-2 with a 3.75 ERA. He’s never faced the Nationals in his career.

Stephen Strasburg is also making his 12th start of the season for the NL East-leading Nationals. In his 11 previous starts, Strasburg is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA. Tonight marks his first career start against the Red Sox and at the Fens.

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

Here are today’s lineups:

32-23		29-28
1. Danny Espinosa	2B	1. Daniel Nava	LF
2. Bryce Harper	CF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Michael Morse	DH	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Adam LaRoche	1B	5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
6. Ian Desmond	SS	6. Kevin Youkilis	3B
7. Xavier Nady	RF	7. Ryan Sweeney	RF
8. Tyler Moore	LF	8. Mike Aviles	SS
9. Jesus Flores	C	9. Scott Podsednik	CF
Stephen Strasburg	SP	Felix Doubront	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

Fast friends Will Middlebrooks, Bryce Harper making big impressions [Clubhouse Insider]

Duel identity tonight at Fenway [CSN New England]

Valentine: Limit voices talking to Bard [CSN New England]

Red Sox eager to face Strasburg, Harper [CSN New England]

Sox set to face Strasburg, Nats [ESPN Boston]

Young meets old as Harper hits Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Bobby V: Strasburg ‘like looking at a rainbow’ [ESPN Boston]

Bryce Harper: ‘Cool to come in here and play’ [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox to recognize Pan-Mass cyclists [Extra Bases]

Bobby V on Harper, Strasburg and the 60s [Extra Bases]

Pedroia feeling better about his thumb [Extra Bases]

Daniel Bard on demotion: ‘I’m just an employee here’ [Full Count]

Does Bryce Harper’s Attitude Rub You the Wrong Way? [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava’s Ability to Get on Base Earns Him Another Game Atop Boston’s Order [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Likens Stephen Strasburg to ‘Looking At a Rainbow’, Showers Bryce Harper With Praise [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Ready For Return, Bobby Valentine Doesn’t Believe Speaking Japanese Will Help [NESN.com]

Bard discusses demotion, mechanical flaws [Pawtucket Times]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Nationals and Being Presidential [Projo Sox Blog]

Matsuzaka says Saturday will be “a very emotional day” [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine impressed by Harper [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox excited for challenge of Strasburg [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine confident in Saltalamacchia’s durability [Projo Sox Blog]

Doubront, Red Sox open set vs. Strasburg, Nats [RedSox.com]

Upstart Nava may finally get an agent [RedSox.com]

Like Harper, Valentine was a 19-year-old rookie [RedSox.com]

Dice-K looking forward to ’emotional’ return [RedSox.com]

A Nationals event: Red Sox marvel at Harper, Strasburg [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Daisuke: Return ‘represents a new start’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

NESN Presents “The Adventures of Ellsbury ‘n’ Elf,” Episode 582-D: Nothing a Few Name Tags Wouldn’t Fix [Surviving Grady]

Castiglione Looks at a Life of Broadcasting Sox [The Big Lead]

Podcast: Bard, Nava and depth perception [Touching All the Bases]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

The Baltimore Orioles came into last night’s game looking for their second sweep of the Boston Red Sox this season at Historic Fenway Park. Fortunately for the local nine, Clay Buchholz had other plans for the O’s last night.

Ever since rediscovering his changeup, Buchholz has been a completely different pitcher. Sure his 125 pitch complete game effort last night raised his record to 6-2 and dropped his ERA to 5.77 but could you imagine what his ERA might be had he not thrown those stinkers earlier on in the season.

Clay definitely looks more confident on the mound now and you have to wonder if the back injury from last year played a part in his brain earlier in the season.

He had good life on his fastball last night and commanded all of his pitches, especially his changeup and curveball. His only walk of the night didn’t come until the 9th inning. He finished the evening scattering four hits with the one walk while striking out six.

Buchholz now has three complete game shutouts and ironically enough, all three of them have come against the Orioles. One of those was his no-hitter against them back in 2007.

With things going good for Josh Beckett and Buchholz and if Jon Lester can turn it around, they could look like the Big Three that the Red Sox were hoping for.

The Red Sox offense got to Orioles starter Brian Matusz early last night. In a contrast of starting pitchers, Matusz had no command of his pitches last night. He was having trouble throwing strikes and when he did, it seemed like the Red Sox were making contact them.

Adrian Gonzalez, who himself has been in a funk at the plate, brought in the first two Red Sox runs with a double in the 1st inning. That double was part of a three-hit effort for Gonzalez who once again got the start in right field.

Daniel Nava continues to deliver at the plate as he added two hits, including a two-run single in the 3rd that pushed the Red Sox lead to 6-0. Kevin Youkilis added two hits for the winners as well.

Things are not going to get easier for the Red Sox over the weekend.

Like the O’s, the Washington Nationals are a different team now and are leading the NL East by two games. And they will have there top three pitchers going in the series. It should be a fun series to watch though with interleague play starting tonight for the next 15 games.

At least for the weekend, we don’t have to see how Bobby Valentine will try to work Youk, Gonzo, David Ortiz and Will Middlebrooks into the lineup. That fun will come starting on Monday when the local nine heads to the Overton section of Miami.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Buchholz’s changeup a beauty [Boston Globe]

Bard ready to work on mechanics [Boston Globe]

Sixth sense: Gonzalez simply being selective [Boston Globe]

Brentz was a five-hit wonder [Boston Globe]

Crawford can start throwing program [Boston Globe]

Young talent a source of National pride [Boston Globe]

Adrian Gonzalez, Sox end slides [Boston Herald]

Darnell McDonald right (left, center) on time [Boston Herald]

Andrew Miller grasps Daniel Bard’s dilemma [Boston Herald]

Change good for Clay Buchholz [Boston Herald]

Boston breaks streak, blanks Baltimore 7-0 [CSN New England]

Nava’s bat contributes to Red Sox win [CSN New England]

Valentine: Buchholz ‘was spectacular’ against Orioles [CSN New England]

Gonzalez works on finding holes [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 7, O’s 0 [ESPN Boston]

Bard ‘not thrilled’ with demotion [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Clay Buchholz dominates as Red Sox blank Orioles [Full Count]

Red Sox Prospect Derrik Gibson Could Soon Be Playing Shortstop at Fenway Park (Video) [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz’ Adjustments on the Mound Apparent in Pitcher’s Return to All-Star Form [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Impressed With Development, Production of Daniel Nava (Video) [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Feeling More ‘Comfortable’ At the Plate, Closer to Turning the Corner [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Transforms From Embattled Pitcher to Empowered One After Latest Gem [NESN.com]

Crawford, Ellsbury ramping up in rehab process [RedSox.com]

Valentine: Beckett’s hamstring ‘non-problematic’ [RedSox.com]

Situations dictate whether bunts are needed [RedSox.com]

When ‘really bad’ is not so bad: Adrian Gonzalez sees an upswing [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

A Nationals event: Red Sox marvel at Harper, Strasburg [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 Baltimore Sun and MASN websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother the Oriole Post for all of your Orioles needs.

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

photo credit: Getty Images