So far in 2012, the Boston Red Sox are 22-22 after 44 games. For comparison’s sake, they were 24-20 at the same point last year.

So what’s different about 2011 and 2012?

Well obviously the new faces and new manager. In both years, the Red Sox got off to horrible starts with the difference being that they got to .500 faster this year. The only problem being they haven’t been able to get over the hump.

Last year and this year as the weather has gotten warmer the Red Sox have played better. Lately, they have been playing some good ball with all the facets of the game working in their favor. Last year when they got over the .500 mark, it was the same thing.

One difference from last year was that when one of the facets wasn’t going their way, the others would step up and get the job done. While that wasn’t the case for the early part of the season this year, it has been lately.

The Red Sox are a good baseball team. They are not a great baseball team. They didn’t come in to this year with the same expectations placed on them. Although, here in Red Sox Nation, we expect them to win the World Series every year.

The one thing to me that has really cured the woes of the early part of this season is the bullpen.

The bullpen was a big reason for the slow start of the 2012 season. But collectively as a group, they have been pretty much lights out. Sure there has been a bump in the road or two but those little hiccups were nothing like what we saw early on.

Given the Red Sox have been battling injuries to key players, things could be a lot worse. Instead, they are 5.5 games behind the first place Baltimore Orioles and just 1.5 games out of one of the two coveted AL Wild Card spots.

I think we fully anticipate things getting even better for the Red Sox. Hopefully that starts tonight with the Tampa Bay Rays coming to town, a team the Red Sox have already taken 4-of-6 games from this season including 3-of-4 at the Fens.

One thing to watch for tonight is to see what Bobby Valentine does with his lineup.

When Kevin Youkilis returned from the disabled list, Bobby V moved Adrian Gonzalez to right field and put Youk at first base. That allowed Will Middlebrooks to stay with the club and man the hot corner.

But with the spacious right field at the Fens, Gonzalez could end up back at first with Youk at third and Middlebrooks on the bench. It’s not ideal for the Red Sox to keep Middlebrooks on the bench here and while he deserves to be up here, it may serve his development better by going back to the PawSox for the time being.

I know alot of people don’t want to hear this but I do think the Red Sox will move Youkilis sometime in June. They are not going to trade Middlebrooks even if he could bring a high yield or caliber of players. They can save money and get almost if not better production from Middlebrooks.

Youk is a fan favorite here in Boston so I think we’d all take it a little hard. But Ben Cherington needs to do what is best for this ballclub. And that is not to have Middlebrooks sitting on the bench here.

We’ll be back later with tonight’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.

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A trusty closer emerges [Boston Globe]

Matsuzaka cleared for a start [Boston Globe]

Bradley gets notice, but no promotion [Boston Globe]

Wary of fan anger, athletes largely avoid political fray [Boston Globe]

For all the troubles, Red Sox remain in chase [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez must turn on power [Boston Herald]

After awful start, Red Sox relievers getting outs [Boston Herald]

Power outage [Boston Herald]

Red Sox Role Players Carrying The Load, Keeping Team Trending in Right Direction [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

Lay off Bobby V. [CSN New England]

.500 at Fenway? [CSN New England]

Bobby V’s proclamation [CSN New England]

Jenny Dell Joins Red Sox Players at Hard Rock Cafe to Promote Commemorative Album [Jenny Dell – NESN.com]

Math backs Bobby V.’s ‘championship’ talk [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox are the best last-place team in baseball [ESPN Boston]

Video: Cafardo on Ortiz, Sox back at .500 [Extra Bases]

How Che-Hsuan Lin became the most famous defensive replacement in the world [Full Count]

Debunking myths about Daniel Bard’s velocity [Full Count]

Opinion: In the end, Curt Schilling was only about Curt Schilling [Full Count]

Will Middlebrooks Recognizes Father With Stevie Ray Vaughan At-Bat Music, Ryan Sweeney Gets Down With Drake [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis Pays Visit to Patriots, Brother-in-Law Tom Brady During Practice [NESN.com]

Carl Crawford, Kelly Shoppach Enjoyed Joe Maddon’s Road Outfit Costumes, Loved Miami Vice Attire [NESN.com]

Beyond the radar gun: The evolution of Josh Beckett [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.

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.

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UConn Football links

Q&A: UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

The Female Version Of Tim Duncan [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Ekmark Has Done Her Homework, UConn `Definitely’ In The Mix [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Hartley Getting Her Work In During The Off-Season [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

South Carolina added to Paradise Jam field [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Catching Up with Jim Calhoun, DeAndre Daniels, Ryan Boatright … [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Notes/Quotes with Niels Giffey [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Recruiting Spotlight: Akoy Agau [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

NBA Draft: Who is Andre Drummond? [Fear The Sword]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Postponed to 11:00 am Friday [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Spring Tour Brings Huskies Together [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Men’s Hockey To Face Union In First Home Game Of 2012-13 [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies Conclude Opening Day Of NCAA Championships First Round [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Wilson & Emerson Reach Quarterfinals Of First Round [UConnHuskies.com]

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

Are you wondering if you’ll be able to see the Boston Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Rays on FOX on Saturday night?

Well here’s the breakdown courtesy of Fang’s Bites:

Philadelphia Phillies at St. Louis Cardinals – 47%
Announcers: Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Kansas City, Knoxville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tulsa, Washington

Tampa Bay Rays at Boston Red Sox – 25%
Announcers: Dick Stockton & Brian Anderson
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Jacksonville, Miami, New York, Orlando, Providence, San Diego, Tampa, West Palm Beach

Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners 11%
Announcers: Victor Rojas & Eric Byrnes
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle

Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates – 10%
Announcers: Kenny Albert & Bob Brenly
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Chicago, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Pittsburgh

Colorado Rockies at Cincinnati Reds – 6%
Announcers: Thom Brennaman & Mitch Williams
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Albuquerque, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Louisville, Salt Lake City

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

With the top three in the Boston Red Sox lineup going a combined 2-for-15 in yesterday’s 6-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles, the production came from the unlikeliest of sources. The 7-8-9 hitters.

Daniel Nava, Scott Podsednik and Kelly Shoppach all went 2-for-3 and all three of them each had a home run. Nava’s home run in the 6th put the Red Sox out in front for good at 3-2 while Shoppach’s two-run homer two batters later gave the Red Sox some breathing room. In the 8th inning, Podsednik adding a solo home run for an insurance run the Red Sox would end up needing.

Nava has been producing for the most part since his callup from the PawSox and has pretty much been a regular in the lineup. Shoppach sees most of his time against lefties but Bobby Valentine has gone away from that in recent starts. And like Nava, Podsednik is only with the Red Sox out of necessity because of the fact that six outfielders are on the disabled list right now.

But for the Red Sox, it seems like everyone they have called up is making an impact.

Will Middlebrooks went for 2-for-4 with an RBI and is hitting .296 while Nava is hitting a robust .350. Even Che-Hsuan Lin helped out yesterday after taking over as a defensive replacement in right field for Adrian Gonzalez who moved back to his natural first base in the 8th inning.

The Orioles had runners on second and third with one out in the 8th when Wilson Betemit hit a fly ball to short right field. Lin came in and made the game saving diving catch that made Adam Jones have to stay at second. Nick Markakis did come into score but had Lin not made the catch, it was more than likely that Jones would have scored on the play.

Daniel Bard started this one for the Red Sox and picked up the win despite having trouble with his command and location. His strikeouts are down (only two on the afternoon) while he walked four more batters giving him 29 on the season. He’s only struckout 28 batters.

Right now Bard is trying to find his mechanics to be more consistent. He was more efficent and had better command of all of his pitches early on this season but that’s gone by the way side. The thing I think he’s also missing is an out pitch. When he was in the bullpen, he could use his overpowering fastball or his nasty slider. But as a starter he hasn’t been able to do that.

The bullpen picked him up again though yesterday although Andrew Miller had his first rough go of things.

Miller was touched up for a two-run homer by Nick Johnson but Rich Hill was outstanding as he struck out both batters he faced. Vicente Padilla put those two runners on base before the Lin catch and like Padilla said, he can come in and keep inherited runners from scoring. But when he starts a “clean” inning, he doesn’t know what the problem is.

Alfredo Aceves came in for the four out save and struck out one along the way to pick up his 11th save of 2012.

The Red Sox are definitely playing some of their best baseball this season right now despite the fact that their record is at .500. But the weather’s warming up so hopefully they’ll continue this trend.

They are also enjoying their first day off today after playing 20 games in 20 days. It’s a much needed break before the Tampa Bay Rays come to town.

We’ll be back shortly with the MLB on Fox breakdown for Saturday’s game as well as the pitching matchups. 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

Podsednik plays a major role in Red Sox’ latest win [Boston Globe]

Step up to the plate on Ortiz [Boston Globe]

It is a stretch to say Bard is pitching well [Boston Globe]

Red Sox earn break [Boston Herald]

Kelly Shoppach turns ire into fire [Boston Herald]

Daniel Bard amiss on key pitch [Boston Herald]

Che-Hsuan Lin’s catch a game-saver [Boston Herald]

Valentine: Red Sox are championship caliber [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Red Sox close road trip with 6-5 win over Orioles [CSN New England]

Nava providing Red Sox with major-league value [CSN New England]

It may be time to shop Shoppach [CSN New England]

Bard continues to struggle with command [CSN New England]

Sox should consider Lin for center field [CSN New England]

Bard seeking delivery he can repeat [CSN New England]

Podsednik back with a bang  [CSN New England]

Putting the save in Aceves [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 6, Orioles 5 [ESPN Boston]

Bobby Valentine names names in dishing praise to his weary Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

No plans for Red Sox to move Alex Wilson back to rotation [Full Count]

Closing time: Bottom of the lineup powers Sox back to .500 [Full Count]

Red Sox makeshift outfield comes up with unlikely contributions in win [Full Count]

Jerry Remy on D&C: Alfredo Aceves good enough to keep closer spot on Andrew Bailey’s return [Full Count]

Red Sox make progress, but pitching still must improve [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Scott Podsednik, Kelly Shoppach Among Red Sox Role Players to Show Surprising Power Surge [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis’ Performance Through Two Games Brings Reason for Optimism [NESN.com]

Recent Success Has Bobby Valentine Believing Red Sox ‘Will Win a Championship’ [NESN.com]

Rest for Red Sox well timed, well deserved [RedSox.com]

Greenville’s Owens learning on the go [RedSox.com]

Adrian unlikely to start in right field at Fenway [RedSox.com]

Just Lin time: Key switch, play save Red Sox [RedSox.com]

For the Red Sox, 20 lessons learned from 20 games in 20 days [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Adrian Gonzalez has glove, will travel [Touching All the Bases]

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

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

Stefanie Dolson Skies – Literally [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

SNY And UConn Women Forge Ahead Together [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

U.S. To Open Preliminary Round Play In London July 28 [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn recruit Stevie Clark to be featured on MTV [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

M & W. Swimming. UConn Swimmers To Represent Suriname At Olympics [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Huskies Down Bulls in BIG EAST First Round, 7-2 [UConnHuskies.com]

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

For the second time this season, the Boston Red Sox failed to get over the .500 mark when they had a chance. The first time around, they lost five straight games after getting there. We can only hope that’s not the case this time around.

It was a tough night last night for the Red Sox bats as they were held to just two hits on the night in the 4-1 loss to the first place Baltimore Orioles (that just doesn’t sound normal).

The only hits the visiting nine would manage was a 2nd inning single by RF Adrian Gonzalez and a solo home run by 1B Kevin Youkilis who was making his return to the Red Sox lineup. Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Daniel Nava earned walks and were the only baserunners of the night.

They were held at bay by Brian Matusz who was absolutely filthy at times last night. He was mixing in all of his pitches and his offspeed stuff was a big part of his nine strikeouts on the night. All told the Red Sox struck out 12 times on the evening.

Felix Doubront was once again solid for the Red Sox throwing six innings. The only real mistake he made was leaving a pitch out over the plate that Steve Tolleson crushed for a two-run blast in the 2nd inning. Matt Albers allowed the other two runs when Wilson Betemit took him deep in the 8th.

While Doubront has been pitching well as of late for the Sox, his high pitch counts are still of concern. He did strikeout a career-high nine batters last night but opposing teams are still making him work. He faced five batters in the 1st inning but had to throw 27 pitches. He’s still young and learning but he needs to be more efficient with his pitches.

If he can do that, with his stuff, he could turn into one of the better lefties in the game.

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.

After falling last night 4-1, the Boston Red Sox look for the series win this afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles 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.

Daniel Bard will try not to commit a balk in his ninth appearance (eighth start) of 2012. In his previous eight appearances (seven starts), Bard is 3-5 with a 4.85 ERA. He has not faced the Orioles in 2012 and was 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA in seven appearances in 2011. Bard has made 20 career appearances against the O’s and is 0-2 with a 3.27 ERA (8 ER/22 IP). 11 of those appearances have come at Camden Yards where he is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP).

Jake Arrieta will make his 10th start this season for the AL East leaders. In his previous nine starts, Arrieta is 2-4 with a 4.72 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox in 2012 and was 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA (7 ER/11.1 IP) in two starts last year. Overall in his career, he’s made three starts against the Red Sox and is 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA (10 ER/16.1 IP).

Here are today’s lineups:

21-22		28-16
1. Mike Aviles	SS	1. Xavier Avery	LF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Robert Andino	SS
3. David Ortiz	DH	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	4. Adam Jones	CF
5. Kevin Youkilis	1B	5. Chris Davis	1B
6. Will Middlebrooks	3B	6. Wilson Betemit	3B
7. Daniel Nava	LF	7. Nick Johnson	DH
8. Scott Podsednik	CF	8. Ryan Flaherty	2B
9. Kelly Shoppach	C	9. Luis Exposito	C
Daniel Bard	SP	Jake Arrieta	SP

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

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

Checked swings [Boston Globe]

Ross could be back much sooner than expected [Boston Globe]

With all due respect, why would Ortiz be so upset? [Boston Globe]

Sox whiff vs. Orioles [Boston Herald]

‘Good signs’ for Cody Ross [Boston Herald]

Matt Albers no longer owns Orioles [Boston Herald]

Kevin Youkilis makes an impact [Boston Herald]

Sox GM Cherington lauds Ortiz [Boston Herald]

Heart Drives Big Papi [CBS Boston]

So it turns out Ortiz is mad at . . . Mazz! [CSN New England]

Ross faces reality of injury, hopes to be back soon [CSN New England]

Nothing doing for Sox offense against Matusz, O’s bullpen [CSN New England]

Doubront brings ‘good stuff’ for Sox despite loss [CSN New England]

Sox finishing up marathon 20 games in 20 days [CSN New England]

Could Gonzalez play left field at Fenway? [CSN New England]

Video: ‘PTI’ on Papi’s rant [ESPN Boston]

Rapid Reaction: Orioles 4, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]

Kevin Youkilis returns for Boston Red Sox; future in question [ESPN Boston]

Podsednik becomes Boston’s 6th CF [ESPN Boston]

Pre-game notes from Camden Yards [Extra Bases]

Red Sox health updates (non-Cody Ross edition): Ryan Sweeney, Darnell McDonald, Ryan Kalish, Aaron Cook [Full Count]

The latest on Cody Ross’ foot [Full Count]

Closing Time: Red Sox bats go silent in loss to the Orioles [Full Count]

Adrian Gonzalez spits in the face of danger in right field and other Red Sox notes [Full Count]

Felix Doubront’s Nine Strikeout Performance Proof He Has Talent to Win Cy Young [NESN.com]

Is Right Field More Demanding Defensively Than First Base? [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine ‘Can’t See’ Trading Kevin Youkilis, Says Adrian Gonzalez Once Volunteered to Pitch (Video) [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis Looks to Show Off Power Stroke Again Versus Orioles in Series Finale [NESN.com]

Podsednik excited to be back in Majors [RedSox.com]

Cherington: Sox have a lot of respect for Ortiz [RedSox.com]

Gonzalez gets outfield start as Youk returns [RedSox.com]

Doubront fans nine, but Sox drop below .500 [RedSox.com]

Ross, Sweeney placed on disabled list [RedSox.com]

After wild outing, Bard looks to bounce back [RedSox.com]

Help is on the way? For Red Sox, Kevin Youkilis’ return is a start [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, Getty Images, Reuters Pictures

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 Men’s Basketball links

Big Opportunity for Olander [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

A Closer Look: Tyler Olander [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Walker left off All-Rookie team [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

UConn’s Andre Drummond, Jeremy Lamb Receive NBA Combine Invites [Hartford Courant]

Ollie Putting UConn Men Through Some Serious Basketball Workouts [Hartford Courant]

Big East basketball coaches support all teams playing in expanded hoops tournament [Orlando Sentinel]

Other UConn related links

Demolition Of Memorial Stadium Begins [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Begins Demolition Of Memorial Football Stadium On Tuesday [Hartford Courant]

M. Track. Cummings Leads Huskies Into NCAA Championships First Round [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Huskies Send Program High Nine To NCAA Championships First Round [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Four Baseball Huskies Earn All-BIG EAST Honors [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Baseball Takes on USF in BIG EAST First Round Tonight at 8:00 [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Stratford’s Martin “a great program-building kid” at UConn [CT Post]

Four honorees to be added to Fairfield County Sports Hall UConn wing [CT Post]

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

After coming back last night for an 8-6 win, the Boston Red Sox look to extend their winning streak to four games in the second game of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN 2. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Felix Doubront looks to keep things going for the Red Sox in his ninth start of 2012. In his previous eight starts, Doubront is 4-1 with a 4.09 ERA. He has not faced the Orioles in 2012 and had no record with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/2 IP) against them in 2011. Overall, he’s made three career appearances against the O’s and has no record with a 6.00 ERA (2 ER/3 IP). He’s made one of those appearances at Camden Yards where he allowed two runs in an inning of work.

Lefty Brian Matusz also makes his ninth start of the 2012 season for the first place Orioles. In his previous eight starts, Matusz is 3-4 with a 5.36 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox in 2012 and took the loss in his only start of 2011 against them when he allowed six runs in 1.2 innings of work. Matusz has made six career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA.

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:

21-21		27-16
1. Mike Aviles	SS	1. Robert Andino	2B
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. J.J. Hardy	SS
3. David Ortiz	DH	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	4. Adam Jones	CF
5. Kevin Youkilis	1B	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Will Middlebrooks	3B	6. Wilson Betemit	1B
7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	7. Chris Davis	DH
8. Daniel Nava	LF	8. Steven Tolleson	3B
9. Marlon Byrd	CF	9. Xavier Avery	LF
Felix Doubront	SP	Brian Matusz	SP

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

Notes: As you can see from the lineup, Youk has been activated from the 15-day DL. Ryan Sweeney will go on 7-day DL for concussions to make room for Youk on the 25-man roster. Scott Podsednik has been recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket. Cody Ross was placed on the  15-day DL retroactively to Saturday. To make room on the 40-man roster for Podsednik, Daisuke Matsuzaka was moved to the 60-day DL.

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

Ortiz Latest Example Of Red Sox Stars Detached From Reality [CBS Boston]

How rookie Will Middlebrooks’ veteran move altered last night’s game [Clubhouse Insider]

Best foot forward: Cody Ross’ injury may not be as bad as feared [Clubhouse Insider]

A curt Youkilis has his game face on [Clubhouse Insider]

Ortiz: I don’t give a expletive what they call leaders [CSN New England]

Sox activate Youkilis, call up Podsednik, place Ross on DL [CSN New England]

On Papi’s angry answers [CSN New England]

Sox activate Youkilis and place him in lineup [CSN New England]

Ross’ injury may not be as bad as first feared [CSN New England]

Valentine: Gonzo won’t be in right every night [CSN New England]

Red Sox At-Bat Songs, Pitcher Entrance Music Ranges from Bon Jovi to Pitbull [Jenny Dell – NESN.com]

What Ortiz was talking about last night [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox activate Kevin Youkilis, keep Adrian Gonzalez in right field [ESPN Boston]

Video: Ross injury similar to Pedroia’s [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox activate Kevin Youkilis, place Ryan Sweeney on seven-day disabled list [ESPN Boston]

Ross to DL; Podsednik activated [ESPN Boston]

Sox go for two straight vs. O’s [ESPN Boston]

Ask Nick: Should Gonzalez switch to outfield? [Extra Bases]

Ross may not be headed to disabled list [Extra Bases]

David Ortiz Is Proof That Red Sox Don’t Need a Captain and Baseball’s ‘C’ Is Unnecessary [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Getting Chance to Mix and Match With Relievers As Starters Continue to Improve [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Raise your hand if . . . [Projo Sox Blog]

Ongoing coverage of Red Sox prospects: Barnes, Boegarts, Middlebrooks, Ranaudo [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox thinking creatively in OF [Projo Sox Blog]

Ross hits DL, but Sox optimistic about timetable [Projo Sox Blog]

Doubront looks to put Red Sox above .500 [RedSox.com]

Evans representing Sox at next month’s Draft [RedSox.com]

Gonzalez gets outfield start as Youk returns [RedSox.com]

Valentine: Ross ‘not as bad as we thought’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

For Tides manager’s daughter, Youkilis came through [The Virginian-Pilot]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

The Boston Red Sox have been at .500 once this season and that came on April 30th when they beat the Oakland A’s to even up their record at 11-11. And after their offense and bullpen bailed out Clay Buchholz on Monday night in an 8-6 win over the Baltimore Orioles, they are now at .500 for the second time this season at 21-21.

Since Josh Beckett‘s meltdown three starts ago which prompted a team-meeting the Red Sox are 9-2. The main reason for the run is that all three facets of the game have been clicking. Part of that equation was Buchholz who looked as though he had put his bad starts from early in the season in the past.

It looked as though Buchholz would have a good game based on his first two innings. But after his team had given him a 2-0 lead in the 3rd, he promptly gave it back in the bottom half as he lost the command of his fastball.

He allowed a leadoff single to Wilson Betemit then walked Nick Johnson. Red Sox killer Robert Andino then reached on a bunt single that was supposed to be a sacrifice. Instead it loaded up the bases for Xavier Henry who worked a walk to force in a run. J.J. Hardy followed with an infield single to score another. Buchholz then issued his second bases loaded walk of the inning to Nick Markakis to force in another run. He finally recorded two outs when Adam Jones grounded into a double play.

Buchholz would give up another run in the 4th when Chris Davis led off with a home run to push the O’s lead to 5-2.

But the offense of the Red Sox didn’t sit back. Instead they continued to work and get some runs.

David Ortiz got things started in the 6th when he led off with a 442 foot home run to right field. Adrian Gonzalez followed with a double and Will Middlebrooks reached on an infield single. Jarrod Saltalamacchia moved the runners up a base with a ground out. Daniel Nava‘s sac fly brought the Red Sox to within a run.

With Marlon Byrd at the plate, Middlebrooks scored the tying run after Orioles starter Tommy Hunter was called for a balk when Middlebrooks faked like he was stealing home and Hunter tired to do a quick pitch that ended up being called a balk.

With the bases loaded in the 7th, Gonzalez drove in a run with a sac fly and Middlebrooks picked up his third hit of the night with an RBI single. The Red Sox added an insurance run in the 8th on a Dustin Pedroia single that scored Che-Hsuan Lin who had reached earlier in the inning on his first career MLB hit.

As much as the offense was the story, it was also the bullpen.

The birthday boy Andrew Miller took over for Buchholz in the 6th with runners on first and second and got both of the batters he faced in the inning. He then struck out two of the three batters he faced in the 7th.

Rich Hill had a rare off night on the mound allowing a run after three consecutive hits. But Vicente Padilla, pitching for the third straight game, bailed him out by getting the final two batters he faced. With stranding two runners on base, Padilla has now not allowed 15 inherited runners to score. Alfredo Aceves finished it off with a perfect 9th inning.

Hopefully this was just an off night for Buchholz and it was something mechanical that can be corrected before his next outing. He had come so far after his bad start only to regress last night.

The Red Sox also got some bad news before the game as it was learned that Cody Ross has a broken foot that he suffered on Friday night. He’ll be placed on the DL before tonight’s game with Kevin Youkilis coming off the DL. The Red Sox could also lose Ryan Sweeney to the 7-day DL after it was learned that he didn’t pass his concussion test.

With Ross going to the DL, the Red Sox will have six outfielders on the list, including the three projected starters for the season (Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford and Ross).

And considering all of these injuries, things could be a lot worse for the Red Sox. Instead they are playing some inspired baseball.

Let’s hope that continues tonight in the Charm City.

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.

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Win in Baltimore helps Sox even the score [Boston Globe]

Ground to cover in outfield [Boston Globe]

Broken foot shelves Ross [Boston Globe]

Ailing Sox stage rally to beat Orioles [Boston Herald]

Broken foot for Sox’ Cody Ross [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz leads by example [Boston Herald]

Injuries open third door [Boston Herald]

Sox bullpen holds off O’s, win 8-6 [CSN New England]

Despite injuries, Red Sox offense keeps chugging [CSN New England]

Sweeney could hit seven-day DL after failing concussion test [CSN New England]

Bullpen cleans up Buchholz’s mess in win [CSN New England]

Matsuzaka back on DL with strained right trapezius muscle [CSN New England]

Despite injuries, Sox don’t come up short [ESPN Boston]

David Ortiz blasts notion he’s not leader for Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Ben Cherington on how the Red Sox will handle the Cody Ross injury [Full Count]

Closing Time: Lineup keeps Red Sox rolling in Baltimore [Full Count]

A perfect inheritance: Vicente Padilla continues amazing late-innings run [Full Count]

Cody Ross’ Latest Injury Could Force Red Sox to Promote Scott Podsednik, Try Mike Aviles in Outfield [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Placed on 15-Day Disabled List With Strained Trapezius Muscle [NESN.com]

Vicente Padilla, Andrew Miller Continue to Shine as Unsung Heroes of Red Sox Bullpen [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Continues Search for How to Avoid Big Inning, Keep Red Sox in Games [NESN.com]

Will Middlebrooks Continues to Solidify Role in Red Sox Lineup With Clutch Hitting [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Enthused by Direction of Red Sox After Win (Video) [NESN.com]

Mike Aviles, David Ortiz Credit Healthy Diets for Continued Success This Season [NESN.com]

Should the Red Sox Send Will Middlebrooks Down to Triple-A Pawtucket? [NESN.com]

Bogaerts making the adjustment at Salem [Projo Sox Blog]

Dice-K gets shot in trapezius muscle [RedSox.com]

Cook’s knee still healing, skips rehab start [RedSox.com]

Middlebrooks may stay when Youk returns [RedSox.com]

Red Sox honor wounded soldiers [RedSox.com]

Sweeney takes concussion tests; DL possible [RedSox.com]

Padilla continues to be key cog in bullpen [RedSox.com]

A Will and a way: Middlebrooks makes statement that he belongs [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: 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.

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UConn Women’s Basketball links

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