Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said after yesterday’s 15-9 loss to the New York Yankees that the team had hit rock bottom. Ya think Bobby?

Your team had a 9-0 lead and you took your starter Felix Doubront before the start of the 7th inning with a 9-1 lead. You went to your bullpen which has struggled at times this season and after the 7th, your team was winning by one run. Then your closer Alfredo Aceves throws 30 pitches without recording an out and by the end of the 8th inning, your team was losing 15-9.

If that’s not rock bottom then I don’t know what is.

Doubront put himself on the map during spring training with his performance against the Yankees in March. He continued that throughout the spring and earned the No. 4 job. Yesterday afternoon, he threw his best start of the young season and deserved a better fate than a no decision.

Now I understand that the Red Sox were up 9-1 but Doubront was only at 99 pitches. Why not put him back out there to start the 7th. He wasn’t showing any signs of laboring at all. And at worst case, you could take him out if he started to struggle. After all, you left Daniel Bard out there in his last start at over 100 pitches and everyone in the world could see that he was fatigued.

But we can’t put the blame solely on Valentine for yesterday’s loss. He’s doing the best he can with what he was given. And in the bullpen that’s not too much. Right now, other than the recent callup, Junichi Tazawa, there’s not one single person down in the bullpen that he can trust.

The Red Sox ownership group along with GM Ben Cherington held a closed door meeting with Valentine after the game. Part of it was to discuss the Marlon Byrd trade but it also was about that they were behind Valentine. Plus they also talked about Bard staying in the rotation.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate tonight and Bard gets scratched, the Red Sox will have a decision to make. Do they push Bard to Monday or do they skip his turn? If they do skip his turn, do they let him pitch out of the bullpen once this week? Or do they put Bard back in the bullpen to plug a tiny part of the Fenway Park sized hole there and call up Aaron Cook who has pitched well in Triple-A?

Personally, I think the Red Sox need to put Bard back in the bullpen. Sure the starting pitching hasn’t been what was expected. But I’m pretty sure no one thought the bullpen would be as bad it is. Yes, the Andrew Bailey injury has made a huge difference, but if the bullpen continues to put up stink bombs, the Red Sox will just continue to be a mediocre team.

We haven’t even gotten to the offense yet, it’s been all about the pitching. The Red Sox offense did its job yesterday.

They got Yankees starter Freddy Garcia out of the game after 1.2 innings. They got to a Yankees bullpen which hadn’t given up a run in 14 innings. They got the results they needed for the win as they backed up Doubront’s solid start.

Unfortunately, the bullpen didn’t back them up.

One other thing, sure the Red Sox ownership group and Cherington gave valentine a collective we’re behind you. Usually that means, you’re on the hot seat and if things don’t turn around soon, a change needs to be made.

Personally, I don’t think that Valentine getting canned or him resigning makes this team any better. They need a huge shake up.

Will Middlebrooks is tearing up Triple-A right now. Sure it’s a small sample size but it’s going to be hard to keep him down there with the PawSox if he continues at that pace. Maybe a big trade is really what this team needs to do to shake things up. They could use Kevin Youkilis to get a reliever that might help things out a little.

Just throwing that out there. Don’t hate!

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

A total disaster for Sox [Boston Globe]

Slow start by AL East keeps Sox in picture [Boston Globe]

Bad times never seemed so bad … so bad … so bad … [Boston Globe]

Chatter balks [Boston Globe]

Bowden dealt to Cubs for OF Byrd [Boston Globe]

Imploding bullpen should be blown up [Boston Globe]

Teixeira, Swisher have a blast [Boston Globe]

Disgusting display [Boston Herald]

A true nation of Red Sox faithful [Boston Herald]

Daniel Bard can now watch, learn [Boston Herald]

Club’s hunt lands Marlon Byrd [Boston Herald]

Abyss-mal spot for Sox [Boston Herald]

Blame bullpen, not Bobby V, for loss [Boston Herald]

Vote of confidence for Valentine [Boston Herald]

Split decision so far for Bobby Valentine [Boston Herald]

Red Sox fans not giving Bobby Valentine a fair shake [Boston Herald]

Sox blow 9-0 lead, lose to Yankees, 15-9 [CSN New England]

Cherington: Can’t just hope it’ll get better [CSN New England]

Valentine: Red Sox have ‘hit bottom’ [CSN New England]

Sox ownership holds meeting after ugly loss [CSN New England]

Bullpen bumbles away monster lead [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Valentine’s Day Massacre [ESPN Boston]

Cherington: Bard to start Sunday night [ESPN Boston]

GM: ‘Very satisfied’ with Bobby V. [ESPN Boston]

How things turned ugly for Sox [ESPN Boston]

BBTN Minute: Can Sox bounce back tonight? [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox bullpen implodes in devastating loss to Yankees [Full Count]

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington feel Marlon Byrd ‘can help a lot’ in Boston [Full Count]

Marlon Byrd Can Help Red Sox in Short Term, But Season Will Continue to Slip Away Until Help Comes to Bullpen [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine’s Best Chance to Get All Parts of Red Sox Working at Once Starts Monday [NESN.com]

Philip Humber’s Likely Next Start Would Be Against Red Sox on Thursday [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Gets Support From Ben Cherington After Rough Loss to Yankees [NESN.com]

What Bobby Valentine Calls ‘Bottom’ Can Mean Good Things for Red Sox, Like Mitts to the Face [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard to Stay in Rotation, Red Sox Management Says [NESN.com]

Felix Doubront’s Shutdown of Yankees Shouldn’t Be Forgotten After Loss [NESN.com]

Crawford not far from seeing outfield time [RedSox.com]

Repko out briefly with separated shoulder [RedSox.com]

Melancon shows progress in Pawtucket [RedSox.com]

Youkilis exits with quad contusion after HBP [RedSox.com]

For Valentine, adjusting proves difficult [RedSox.com]

Red Sox brass ‘in this together’ with Bobby V. [RedSox.com]

Red Sox won’t rush to shake up bullpen [RedSox.com]

Prospect Middlebrooks continues to mash [RedSox.com]

It’s still happening: For Red Sox, April 2012 feels like September 2011 never ended [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, head over to the ESPN New York, New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.

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

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 some of the other sports. 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

Whitmer, Wirth star in spring game [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

First take spring game [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Whitmer Passes For 187 Yards As White Wins, 14-5 [UConnHuskies.com]

Whitmer Wins The Game, But QB Race Still Wide Open [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn football notebook: QB Whitmer rallies White team [CT Post]

UConn’s Blue-White Football Game: Fans See Some Good Things [Hartford Courant]

Big Decisions Await Pasqualoni, Calhoun [Hartford Courant]

Kendall Reyes, Lifelong New Englander, Might Catch Patriots’ Eye in First Round of NFL Draft [NESN.com]

Defensive lineman Ryan Wirth shows his time has come [New Haven Register]

QB Chandler Whitmer makes good first impression [New Haven Register]

Pasqualoni takes it all in [The Day]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

And Dixon makes 12 UConn players in WNBA camps [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Who’s coming, Who’s going [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

UConn’s Roscoe Smith to transfer [CT Post]

Smith Leaving UConn, But Calhoun Staying Positive About Program [Hartford Courant]

Big Decisions Await Pasqualoni, Calhoun [Hartford Courant]

Roscoe Smith leaving Huskies [New Haven Register]

Jim Calhoun: UConn can still win [Andy Katz – ESPN.com]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Shutout in Season Debut at Dodd Stadium [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball. Huskies Split Third Consecutive BIG EAST Doubleheader [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Flowers Captures Two Titles At Princeton Invite [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. UConn Leaves Princeton Invite With Eight Top-Five Marks [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn’s AD Manuel: Striving to maintain success [CT Post]

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

The RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912. 100 years later, the U.S.S. UConn continues to take on water and may sink before all is said done.

With Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond off to get paid in the NBA as well as the departures of Alex Oriakhi and Michael Bradley, the UConn Huskies men’s basketball program couldn’t really afford to lose another player. Unfortunately that is happening to them again.

Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com was the first to report on Saturday that UConn sophomore small/power forward Roscoe Smith asked for and received his release from the school. Wherever Smith decides to go to school, he will have to sit out next year due to the NCAA transfer rules.

After spending most of the 2010-11 season that saw the Huskies win the 2011 NCAA Championship as a starter, Smith saw his playing time decrease this year. In 18.3 minutes of action, he averaged 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds.

He did come on at the end of the season though and was a big reason why the Huskies were able to make the late season run into the NCAA Tournament.

Whether or not the Huskies are eligble for the postseason next year, they are in trouble. They will have only eight players plus walk-ons unless they can get someone to give them a late commitment. It’s also quite possible that Bradley returns to the school.

While it’s still too early tell, no matter what happens, it’s looking more and more like it’s going to be a long 2012-2013 season for the Huskies.

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

photo credit: Bettina Hansen – Hartford Courant

Don’t worry folks, Marlon Byrd and his .070 batting average is coming to save the Boston Red Sox.

With Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury on the disabled list and Jason Repko out with a shoulder injury after crashing into the wall on Friday, the Red Sox are a little shorthanded in the outfield. So with limited options available to them, the Red Sox reached out to old friend Theo Epstein with the Chicago Cubs to get some outfield help.

The Red Sox acquired Byrd and cash considerations from the Cubs for reliever Michael Bowden and player to be named later. Bowden was designated for assignement by the Red Sox earlier in the week.

To make room on the 25-man and 40-man rosters, the Red Sox designated Nate Spears for assignment.

Here’s the full release from the Red Sox with all the details you need to know:

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today acquired outfielder Marlon Byrd and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Michael Bowden and a player to be named later.  To make room for Byrd on the 40-man roster, the club designated infielder/outfielder Nate Spears for assignment.

The announcements were made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.

Byrd, 34, owns a .278 career average (1,040-for-3,735) with 215 doubles, 27 triples, 81 home runs, 438 RBI, 516 runs, 274 walks and 49 stolen bases in 1,069 Major League games over 11 seasons with the Phillies (2002-05), Nationals (2005-06), Rangers (2007-09) and Cubs (2010-12).  A 2010 All-Star, he has appeared at all three outfield positions with 810 games in center, 142 in left and 109 in right.  He has started in center field in all 13 of his games with Chicago this season and reached base safely in six of those contests, going 3-for-43 with two RBI, three walks and a run scored.  Originally selected by Philadelphia in the 10^th round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Byrd has hit at a .287 clip (698-for-2,433) in 661 games since the start of the 2007 campaign.

Bowden, 25, was designated for assignment by Boston on April 15 after posting a 3.00 ERA (1 ER/3.0 IP) in two relief appearances with the club this season.  Selected by the Red Sox in the supplemental round (47^th overall) of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, the right-hander has made 39 career Major League appearances (two starts) over the last five seasons since 2008, going 2-2 with a 5.61 ERA (37 ER/59.1 IP) and 48 strikeouts compared to 23 walks.

Spears, 26, has appeared in four games with the Red Sox since being selected to the Major League roster on April 15 and gone 0-for-4.  He played in eight games with Triple-A Pawtucket to begin the season, going 6-for-26 (.231) with two RBI, five runs and three walks.  Spears made his Major League debut with Boston last September, appearing in three games with the club.  Originally selected by Baltimore in the fifth round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, he has hit .272 (900-for-3,305) with 171 doubles, 43 triples, 55 home runs, 377 RBI, 536 runs, 427 walks and 85 stolen bases in 966 minor league games in the Orioles, Cubs and Red Sox organizations.

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

photo credit: AP Photo

After falling yesterday 6-2 on the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on the winning side of things in the second game of a three-game set with their AL East rivals, the New York Yankees.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast to 91% of the country on FOX. 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 his pitch count under control in his third start of 2012. In his previous two starts, Doubront has no record with a 5.40 ERA (6 ER/10 IP). He made three appearances out of the bullpen last year against the Yankees and had no record with a 4.91 ERA (2 ER/3.2 IP). Overall in his career, Doubront has made four appearances against the Yankees and has no record with a 3.86 ERA (2 ER/4.2 IP).

Freddy Garcia also makes his third start of the season this afternoon. In his previous two starts, Garcia is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA (8 ER/10.1 IP). The 12-year veteran made five appearances (four starts) against the Red Sox in 2011 and was 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA. Garcia has made 21 career appearances (20 starts) against the local nine and is 9-4 with a 4.45 ERA. Nine of those appearances (eight starts) have come at the century old ballpark where he is 3-1 with a 4.32 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:

8-6		4-9
1. Derek Jeter	DH	1. Mike Aviles	SS
2. Nick Swisher	RF	2. Ryan Sweeney	RF
3. Robinson Cano	2B	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Alex Rodriguez	3B	4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
5. Mark Teixeira	1B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Curtis Granderson	CF	6. Kevin Youkilis	3B
7. Andruw Jones	LF	7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
8. Russell Martin	C	8. Cody Ross	CF
9. Eduardo Nunez	SS	9. Darnell McDonald	LF
Freddy Garcia	SP	Felix Doubront	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

Fenway’s 100th:Sox players awed by ceremony [CSN New England]

Fenway’s 100th:’A terrific event’ [CSN New England]

Video: Peter Abraham on Fenway party, Red Sox-Yankees opener [Extra Bases]

Sox and Cubs talking about a deal for Marlon Byrd [Extra Bases]

Mike Lowell: Future Red Sox Manager? [Surviving Grady]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

Given all the hoopla of the day with the events surrounding Fenway Park’s 100th Anniversary celebration on Friday, that the Boston Red Sox would have put a better fight than they did. After all, there were some pretty famous alumni, legends if you will, on the field with them before the game.

The players of the past helped shape the Fenway Park into what it is now. A place where the dreams of baseball players and fans can come alive and be kids again.

Instead though, the New York Highlanders (Yankees) decided to spoil the party as they took a 6-2 win over the Red Sox behind five home runs and Ivan Nova‘s right arm.

All five of the home runs that the Yankees hit yesterday came off off Clay Buchholz. It’s the second time this season a Red Sox starting pitcher has allowed five home runs in an outing. The other was Josh Beckett in his first start of 2012.

Buchholz certainly didn’t do himself any favors as the home runs were hit on pitches that missed the location he was aiming for. It was like he was grooving them into the wheelhouse of the Yankees hitter during batting practice. They were perfectly located for a home run swing. The only good thing to come from the home runs if you were a Red Sox fan is that they were all of the solo variety so the Yankees weren’t exactly blowing the local nine out.

But with Ivan Nova keeping the Red Sox hitters at bay by attacking the strike zone all afternoon, those solo home runs could have been two-run or three-run blasts as far as the scoreboard was concerned.

The start for Buchholz is concerning. It was his third straight start of 2012 that he hasn’t performed up to expectations. Of course all the blame can’t solely be placed on him as the offense is in a bit of a funk too.

Bobby Valentine tried to shake up his lineup on Friday afternoon in his first foray into the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry. While his “new” lineup resulted in ten hits on the afternoon, it only was able to push two runs across the plate.

The first run came off the bat of David Ortiz who hit a solo home run that was initially ruled a double before the umpires gave him a home run after looking at the replay. The other came when Mike Aviles doubled in Cody Ross after Nick Swisher lost the ball in the sun in right field. And by the way, both Ortiz and Aviles were the only members of the team with two hits on the afternoon.

Something needs to change with the Red Sox offense right now. Both Ryan Lavarnway and Will Middlebrooks are off to good starts in Triple-A Pawtucket. It is hard to make the case for Middlebrooks to come up though with Kevin Youkilis entrenched at third base despite his struggles. Youk did pick up a hit on the day to raise his average to .195.

But Lavarnway is a different story.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia has looked lost at the plate as his .103 average suggests. His OBP of .161 isn’t helping matters either. Salty does have an option left on his contract so it’s quite possible the Red Sox could send him down to let him work out the kinks with a little less pressure and have Lavarnway come up.

Whatever Ben Cherington and Valentine decide to do to get more out of this team, they need to do something quickly before things get out of hand.

On a different note, it was great to see all of the Red Sox legends past and present on the field at the same time. For me though, it was awesome to see Terry Francona put aside his differences and let the fans give him one final ovation. He definitely deserved it for all he did for the Red Sox during his time as skipper.

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

Birthday bash [Boston Globe]

For longtime foes, nothing rivals in comparison [Boston Globe]

Not much fun being had by Buchholz this season [Boston Globe]

Some surprise names among the no-shows [Boston Globe]

Francona manages to put it aside [Boston Globe]

Vintage moments [Boston Globe]

Happy to be back, Martinez has ducks in a row [Boston Globe]

Fenway celebrates its first 100 years [Boston Herald]

Red Sox fall to Yankees, spoil Fenway centennial celebration [Boston Herald]

‘Tito, Tito’ gets his due [Boston Herald]

Hub’s endless love for Pedro Martinez [Boston Herald]

Red Sox survive uniform evolution [Boston Herald]

Struggling Sox a real drag on Fenway bash [Boston Herald]

Double tear-jerker at Fenway Park [Boston Herald]

Blasts turn Clay’s day to bust [Boston Herald]

Ancient rivals put damper on party [Boston Herald]

In these tough times, the Red Sox are still looking for their leader [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Yankees crack five homers off Buchholz in 6-2 win over Red Sox [CSN New England]

Sox can’t shake losing feeling [CSN New England]

Buchholz shelled by homers [CSN New England]

Salty’s roster spot could be in danger [CSN New England]

Millar, Martinez revel in Fenway celebration [CSN New England]

Video essay: What makes Fenway special [ESPN Boston]

Sox players talk about Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Rapid Reaction: Yankees 6, Red Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

Valentine: Buchholz is ‘still building’ [ESPN Boston]

Hurst brings attention to teen suicide [ESPN Boston]

Special day for Hurst, ex-teammates [ESPN Boston]

Video: Pedro’s fond memories [ESPN Boston]

Video: Olney, Ravech on party, letdown [ESPN Boston]

Heart and soul return to Fenway Park [ESPN Boston]

Party poopers [ESPN Boston]

Pedro Martinez, Kevin Millar reflect on Fenway Park: ‘There’s nothing you can compare it to’ [Full Count]

Closing Time: Yankees spoil birthday bash for Red Sox, Fenway Park [Full Count]

Clay Buchholz is off to a ‘perplexing’ start [Full Count]

In 100 Years, There Has Only Been One Tito [Hartford Courant]

Cody Ross, Red Sox, Struggling With ‘Million-Dollar Question’ [NESN.com]

Red Sox Stars in Awe of Pregame Ceremony, Thankful Team Legends ‘Paved the Way’ [NESN.com]

Which Injured Red Sox Player Will Have the Biggest Impact Upon Returning? [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine, Red Sox Still Off the Mark As Early-Season Struggles Continue [NESN.com]

Red Sox Offense Must Produce More to Help Keep Pressure Off Pitching Staff [NESN.com]

Pedroia seeking return trip to All-Star Game [RedSox.com]

Loss dampens Red Sox’s celebration [RedSox.com]

Return of ‘family’ sparks emotions at Fenway [RedSox.com]

Memories are what sets Fenway apart [RedSox.com]

Red Sox honor 100-year-old fan [RedSox.com]

Red Sox, Yankees transport back in time [RedSox.com]

Sox alums revel in Fenway’s joyous spirit [RedSox.com]

For Buchholz and Red Sox rotation, trouble is starting early [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

An appropriate birthday bash for Fenway [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, head over to the ESPN New York, New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.

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

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 some of the other sports. 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

Spring game previews [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Blue-White Game Caps UConn Football’s Spring [Hartford Courant]

Quarterback competition, filling holes focus of spring game [New Haven Register]

Huskies spring into action [The Hour]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Barnes Arico Hired At Michigan [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

M. Track. Huskies Ready For Larry Ellis Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Huskies Walk-Off in Game Two of Doubleheader Sweep [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn CF Billy Ferriter Brings Football Mentality To Diamond [Hartford Courant]

W. Lacrosse. Huskies Register Three Hat Tricks in Win at Cincy [UConnHuskies.com]

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

The ballots are out for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game to be held in Kansas City on July 10th and it’s time to vote for your favorite Boston Red Sox player to make the team.

The following Red Sox are listed on the ballot:

• C – Jarrod Saltalamacchia
• 1B – Adrian Gonzalez
• 2B – Dustin Pedroia
• SS – Mike Aviles
• 3B – Kevin Youkilis
• OF – Jacoby Ellsbury
• OF – Cody Ross
• OF – Carl Crawford
• DH – David Ortiz

Unfortunately for him, Ryan Sweeney isn’t listed on the ballot but if you want too, you can write him in on the 2012 MLB All-Star Ballot.

Get voting people, we want to be well represented at the game!

After being swept in a two-game set by the Texas Rangers, the Boston Red Sox will host their AL East rivals the New York Yankees in the first game of a three game set this weekend at Historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can catch the game on YES. And if you don’t live in either market, you can watch the game on the MLB Network. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Fenway Park. The Yankees were the first team to play the Red Sox so it’s only fitting they play on the anniversary of the opening. There will be special ceremonies that start at approximately 2 p.m. Those will be broadcast on NESN and online at redsox.com.

Clay Buchholz gets the ball on this special day at Fenway Park in his third start of the season. In his previous two starts, Buchholz is 1-0 with a 9.82 ERA. He made two starts against the Yankees in 2011 and was 1-1 with a 5.06 ERA (6 ER/10.2 IP). He’s made seven career starts against them and is 2-3 with a 5.59 ERA.

Ivan Nova looks to put a damper on the celebrations at Fenway this afternoon in his third start of the season. In his previous two starts, Nova is 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA. He made two starts against the Red Sox in 2011 and had no record with a 6.75 ERA (8 ER/10.2 IP). Overall in his career, Nova has made four appearances (three starts) against the local nine and is 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA. Two of those appearances (one start) have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA (5 ER/6.2 IP).

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:

7-6		4-8
1. Derek Jeter	SS	1. Mike Aviles	SS
2. Curtis Granderson	CF	2. Ryan Sweeney	RF
3. Alex Rodriguez	DH	3. Dustin Pedroia	2B
4. Robinson Cano	2B	4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
5. Mark Teixeira	1B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Nick Swisher	RF	6. Kevin Youkilis	3B
7. Raul Ibanez	LF	7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
8. Eric Chavez	3B	8. Cody Ross	LF
9. Russell Martin	C	9. Jason Repko	CF
Ivan Nova	SP	Clay Buchholz	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

This diamond anniversary is a time to shine [Boston Globe]

Festivities aside, there is work to be done [Boston Globe]

This plea by Gammons is revealing in itself [Boston Globe]

A CENTURY OF MEMORIES [Boston Globe]

Fenway’s old home day [Boston Herald]

Bobby Valentine set for 1st NY clash [Boston Herald]

Bobby Valentine managing with slow start [Boston Herald]

Theo Epstein declines Red Sox’ tardy offer [Boston Herald]

Friday Throwdown: Favorite Fenway memories [Boston Herald]

Red Sox-Yankees Series Marks 100 Years at Fenway Park, Attempted Revival of Elite Rivalry [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

Video: Are you ready for Red Sox-Yankees? [Clubhouse Insider]

Bobby V: Fenway is ‘baseball’s Land of Oz’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Dice-K to start in minors, Sweeney takes second [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox send Epstein an invitation, but he can’t attend [CSN New England]

Sox offense continues unpredictable streak [CSN New England]

Valentine on Fenway: ‘It’s the baseball Land of Oz’ [CSN New England]

Fenway Park: Through the years [CSN New England]

Felger & Mazz: ‘Feeling worse by the day’ about Bobby V. [CSN New England]

Felger & Mazz: Time to move on from Fenway? [CSN New England]

Valentine: I’m learning, adapting [ESPN Boston]

Tito expects emotional day [ESPN Boston]

Video: Jim Caple’s tour of Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Video: MLB players on Fenway’s history [ESPN Boston]

Video: Jeter appreciates Fenway fans [ESPN Boston]

Aaron Boone talks fave Fenway memories [ESPN Boston]

Video: Nomar salutes the Green Monster [ESPN Boston]

No. 1 Fenway moment: Fisk HR 1975 WS G6 [ESPN Boston]

Pedro makes history at 1999 All-Star Game [ESPN Boston]

Video: 2004 ALCS Game 4 (nuff said) [ESPN Boston]

State of the Nation: Fenway 100, Sox-Yanks [ESPN Boston]

Oh yeah, there’s a game today, too [ESPN Boston]

Video: Ravech sets scene at Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Valentine offers some thoughts on Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K to head out on rehab assignment [ESPN Boston]

Snapshots: The scene at Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Video: Edes on Fenway moments [ESPN Boston]

Valentine: Bard will start on Sunday [Extra Bases]

Rich Hill moving up to Pawtucket [Extra Bases]

Reggie Jackson: ‘I love the Red Sox; I admire the Red Sox.’ [Extra Bases]

Dice-K to start rehab assignment on Sunday [Extra Bases]

Valentine: Fenway Park is ‘baseball land of Oz’ [Extra Bases]

A message from Curt Schilling regarding Fenway Park’s celebration [Full Count]

Nuggetpalooza: Notes on the Red Sox and the rest of baseball [Full Count]

Friday morning with Bobby Valentine: Jon Lester needs his rest, ‘concern’ about Andrew Miller, next steps for Daisuke Matsuzaka [Full Count]

Why the Red Sox shuffled their lineup [Full Count]

100 Years Of Fenway Park: The Wall, Some Great Ball And Brawls … [Hartford Courant]

Wally the Green Monster Shows Off Drumming Skills During MLB Fan Cave Jam Session (Video) [NESN.com]

Jim Rice Visits MLB Fan Cave, Talks About His Memories of Playing at Fenway Park (Video) [NESN.com]

Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Kevin Youkilis Cherish Mystique of Fenway Park Through 100 Years [NESN.com]

Was Dave Roberts’ Steal the Greatest Moment at Fenway Park in Red Sox-Yankees History? [NESN.com]

YES Network’s Top Red Sox-Yankees Moments Feature Some of Franchises’ Iconic Names [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Shuts Down Lansdowne Street As Fans Welcome Back Former Skipper (Photo) [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Yankees and Anniversaries [Projo Sox Blog]

Bard, not Lester, to pitch Sunday [Projo Sox Blog]

Matsuzaka to start rehab assignment Monday, could be back in mid-May [Projo Sox Blog]

Bobby V: “It’s the baseball land of Oz” [Projo Sox Blog]

Miller has ugly outing for PawSox [Projo Sox Blog]

Here’s all 213 ex-players at Fenway today [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz faces vs. Yanks on Fenway’s anniversary [RedSox.com]

Dice-K’s first rehab start set for Monday [RedSox.com]

Sizzling Sweeney elevated to two-hole [RedSox.com]

Valentine in awe of Fenway’s history [RedSox.com]

On Its 100th Anniversary, a Salute to Fenway Park. By a Puppet [Surviving Grady]

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 credits: Getty Images, 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 some of the other sports. 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

UConn-Tennessee: Could Series Be Continued? [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Griner Withdraws From Olympic Consideration [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Dom answered a question in his mailbag [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

NCAA defends postseason ban [New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Weekend Schedule Changes for Baseball [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Tennis. Men’s Tennis Ends Season With 4-1 Loss At BIG EAST Championships [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Tennis. Huskies Sweep Imperial Valley, 7-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Lacrosse. Huskies Start Two-Game Road Swing At Cincinnati Friday [UConnHuskies.com]

M & W. Soccer. UConn soccer team plays at Addison Park [ReminderNews.com]

W. Softball. Local tandem brings spark to Huskies [Norwich Bulletin]

W. Track. Huskies Set For Princteon Invite [UConnHuskies.com]

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