Really no surprise here in my mind as UConn Huskies sophomore guard Jeremy Lamb has decided to forgo his last two seasons of eligibility at UConn and declare for the 2012 NBA Draft.

Now we wait to see what Andre Drummond will do.

Here’s the release from UConn on Lamb’s decision:

STORRS, Conn. – University of Connecticut sophomore guard Jeremy Lamb has decided to forgo the final two seasons of his college eligibility and make himself available for the upcoming NBA Draft.

“It was a difficult decision, but after much prayer and discussion with my parents,  I feel that it’s in the best interest of me and my family to declare myself eligible for the upcoming NBA Draft and pursue my dream of playing professional basketball,” Lamb said. “I have very much enjoyed my two years at UConn, especially getting to experience one of the greatest feelings that a college player can have, winning the national championship.”

The 6-5 Lamb, 19, from Norcross, Ga., started every game for the Huskies last season and led the team in scoring this season at 17.7 points per game. He also averaged 4.9 rebounds as he was selected to the All-BIG EAST First Team. He scored in double figures in 31 games, led the Huskies in scoring 17 times, scored 30 or more points in two games and 20 or more 10 times.

Last season, Lamb became just the sixth sophomore in UConn history to score 1,000 career points. His total of 1,060 points rank him No. 42 on UConn’s all-time scoring list. He is only the 11^th player in UConn history to score as many as 600 points (603) in one season.

“It’s never easy to lose a great player from your program, but Jeremy has a unique opportunity that he needs to take advantage of,” UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. “He’s been a great kid to coach for the past two years … his teams have won 52 games, been to two NCAA Tournaments, and won a national championship. I look forward to him developing into a terrific player in the NBA and secondly, as he’s promised me, to come back and finish his degree.”

As a freshman, Lamb was an integral part of UConn’s run to the BIG EAST and NCAA national championships, earning NCAA Final Four All-Tournament, NCAA West Region All-Tournament, and BIG EAST All-Tournament honors. During the summer following his freshman year, Lamb competed with Team USA at the U19 FIBA World Championships, leading the team with a 16.2 scoring average and 18 steals in nine games.

“I have learned a lot, both on and off the basketball court as well as in the classroom, and I feel as if I’m ready to take the next step in my basketball career,” Lamb said. “I intend to successfully complete the current semester academically as I get prepared for the draft.”

Lamb becomes the 14^th UConn player under Calhoun to leave school early to enter the NBA Draft. All but one of the previous 13 were drafted in the first round.

“First, I want to thank God for blessing me with the ability to play this great game,” Lamb said. “I want to thank Coach Calhoun for giving me the opportunity to play at UConn and I want to thank the entire coaching staff and all my teammates for helping me improve enough to hopefully be successful at the next level.

“I am proud that I will always be part of the Connecticut basketball family.”

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

Photo credit: Getty Images

Well we now know that the Boston Red Sox won’t match their 0-6 start from the 2011 season after rallying for a 4-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays last night.

The best part of the night though may not have been the rally. To me it was the collective effort of the pitching staff.

Felix Doubront made his first since the 2010 season and gave the Red Sox five serviceable innings. His pitch count was a little high at 101 but some of that may be attributed to the fact that the umpire wasn’t giving him the close pitches. He ended up allowing two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out a career-high six batters.

Given that Henderson Alvarez was keeping the Red Sox hitters at bay, you have to be happy with the way Doubront pitched. He showed why Bobby Valentine awarded him the fourth spot in the rotation. Other than having a little trouble at times finishing off hitters (despite the six strikeouts), he was attacking the strike zone and mixing up his pitches well.

Speaking of attacking the strike zone, that’s exactly what Scott Atchison did.

Just a day after Vicente Padilla threw four solid innings out of the pen, Atchison went three scoreless innings, throwing 23 of his 31 pitches went for strikes. He only allowed two hits during those three innings and was never in any trouble. If he continues to pitch like that, he might see himself throwing in some tight spots coming up.

Of course after the Red Sox rallied to take the lead and set up a save situation, everyone was left to wonder who Valentine would bring out to close out the game. Well Valentine didn’t waver at all with his trust in Alfredo Aceves and was rewarded with his first win as skipper of the Red Sox.

Aceves looked like the dominating pitcher he was last year out of the bullpen. He was commanding all of his pitches and mixed them up nicely as he spread them all around the strike zone. If he can replicate that success again and again, he’ll make his opening weekend struggles a thing of the past.

Aceves was given the chance to pick up the save because as I’ve stated above, the offense gave him that chance.

They weren’t really able to do much against Alvarez, who appears to have a bright future, as the only run they would get would come on Dustin Pedroia‘s first home run of 2012. Pedroia would also be a big part of the 9th inning rally.

The Jays traded for Sergio Santos hoping that he would help fix their bullpen. Instead, he blew another save opportunity.

Pedroia would start the rally in the 9th with a leadoff double and then head to third on a wild pitch. Adrian Gonzalez would bring him home with a sac fly to tie the game up at 2.

After Santos struck out Kevin Youkilis, who remains hitless on the season, he walked David Ortiz and Cody Ross. Darnell McDonald would come into pinch-run for Big Papi and he would come in to score on a Ryan Sweeney single with Ross ending up at third. With Jarrod Saltalamacchia at the plate, Santos uncorked his second wild pitch of the inning, this one allowing Ross to score and set up Aceves’ heroics in the 9th.

This Red Sox team definitely has a lot of heart. This is the second time this season that they have gotten to one of the better closers in the game. Now if the offense could just do something a little earlier in the game, they might not find themselves in that situation.

Still though, you have to be happy right now. Hopefully the nice comeback win from last night leads to something good tonight in Daniel Bard‘s first MLB start.

We’ll be back later on today 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.

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

Cloud nine [Boston Globe]

Pedroia does job, and to the letter [Boston Globe]

Stretched out, Bard finally gets his start [Boston Globe]

Rally in 9th saves Sox [Boston Herald]

Fenway Park’s 100th birthday bash in works [Boston Herald]

Pedroia wows skipper [Boston Herald]

Leave Bard in rotation [Boston Herald]

Bobby V’s go-go Sox trying new strategy [Boston Herald]

Three stars from Red Sox’ first victory of 2012 [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox come back in 9th, this time hold on, 4-2 [CSN New England]

Doubront impresses in first start of season [CSN New England]

Third time’s a charm for Red Sox’ Aceves [CSN New England]

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

Believe it: Ortiz was trying to steal [ESPN Boston]

Bobby Valentine to stay the course with Boston Red Sox bullpen [ESPN Boston]

Daniel Bard: ‘Right now, I’m a starter’ [Full Count]

Closing Time: Ryan Sweeney paves the way for Red Sox first win of the season [Full Count]

One word was all Alfredo Aceves needed to tell his story [Full Count]

Meet Mr. Ninth Inning: Red Sox outfielder Ryan Sweeney [Full Count]

Red Sox Drop Slightly to 12-1 Odds to Win World Series [NESN.com]

Scott Atchison Steadies Red Sox’ Bullpen Ship In Three-Inning Stint [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox Just ‘Never Said Die’ in Getting First Win of Season [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Sets Goals for Year, Plans to Surpass Stellar 2011 Season [NESN.com]

Will Blue Jays Finish Higher Than Red Sox, Yankees or Rays in AL East This Year? [NESN.com]

It’s Boston who does the late rallying [Providence Journal]

Despite nagging bullpen questions, Bard focused on first start [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Valentine takes the heat on bullpen [Providence Journal]

Bard trying to get comfortable in new role [RedSox.com]

Pedroia serves as catalyst in Red Sox’s first win [RedSox.com]

Ortiz’s surprise sneak attack nearly worked [RedSox.com]

Atchison steps up with three scoreless innings [RedSox.com]

Aceves rewards Valentine’s trust with first save [RedSox.com]

Coming-of-age: Why now is the time for Daniel Bard to 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.

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 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

McCombs looks for more in Year 2 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

DC answered some questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Stewart, Tuck Recognized By ESPN HoopGurlz [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

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

Andre Drummond’s Dilemma [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Dyson to sign with Hornets [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

College Teammates Drafted in Top 10 [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

A murky future for Jim Calhoun’s team [Fran Fraschilla – ESPN.com]

Other UConn related links

Softball. UConn & UMass Softball Game Postponed [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Baseball Defeats Quinnipiac, 12-7 [UConnHuskies.com]

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

After being swept in Detroit over the opening weekend, the Boston Red Sox head north of the border for the first of a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on Rogers SportsNet.  If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

After earning the No. 4 spot in the Red Sox rotation, Felix Doubront looks to get the team their first win of the season. Doubront made 11 appearances in 2011 and had no record with a 6.10 ERA. He made three appearances against the Jays last year and had no record with a 4.50 ERA (1 ER/2 IP). He’s made five career appearances (no starts) versus the Jays and is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA (2 ER/5.1 IP). Two of those appearances have come at Rogers Centre where he is 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA (2 ER/2 IP).

Henderson Alvarez makes his first start of 2012 after making 10 starts in 2011 for the Blue Jays. In those 10 starts, he was 1-3 with a 3.53 ERA. His lone career start against the Red Sox came last year on September 5th at Rogers Centre when he didn’t allow a run in six innings of an eventual 1-0 Jays win.

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:

0-3		2-1
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Yunel Escobar	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Kelly Johnson	2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Jose Bautista	RF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Edwin Encarnacion	DH
5. David Ortiz	DH	5. Adam Lind	1B
6. Cody Ross	LF	6. Brett Lawrie	3B
7. Ryan Sweeney	RF	7. Rajai Davis	LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. J.P. Arencibia	C
9. Mike Aviles	SS	9. Colby Rasmus	CF
Felix Doubront	SP	Henderson Alvarez	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

Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz Need to Be Much Better to Take Pressure Off Back End of Red Sox Rotation [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

Pregame notes: Daniel Bard on starting, Bobby V on bullpen issues [Clubhouse Insider]

Trying to find the bright side for the Red Sox [CSN New England]

Jenks won’t face misdemeanor DUI charges [CSN New England]

No changes in bullpen, says Valentine [CSN New England]

Red Sox try for first win tonight [ESPN Boston]

Scout on Beckett: Saturday ‘worst I’ve seen’ [ESPN Boston]

Morning report: Of bullpens, Buchholz [ESPN Boston]

Nuggets from Boston’s 0-3 start [ESPN Boston]

Is there discord in the Red Sox clubhouse? [ESPN Boston]

No reprieve for Red Sox in Toronto [ESPN Boston]

Power Rankings: Red Sox drop to 15th [ESPN Boston]

Bobby V on pen: Need to manage it better [ESPN Boston]

Perspective [Extra Bases]

Valentine on the Red Sox bullpen: ‘I’ve just got to manage it better’ [Extra Bases]

Bard is excited on the eve of his first start [Extra Bases]

When one 0-3 start is not like the other [FoxSports.com]

Nuggetpalooza: Nuggets from lost weekend in Motown [Full Count]

Despite changes, same results for Red Sox [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Daniel Bard Under Huge Pressure to Perform as Starter and Other Thoughts From the Week in Baseball [NESN.com]

Closer Situation, Bobby Valentine’s Unique Lineup Choices Get Attention as Red Sox Prepare to Face Blue Jays (Video) [NESN.com]

Red Sox payroll up 7 percent from 2011, ranked third in MLB [Projo Sox Blog]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Blue Jays and Patience Amid Panic [Projo Sox Blog]

Voice of reason pushes panic button [Projo Sox Blog]

Morales growing into bullpen role [Projo Sox Blog]

Doubront will take the ball as Sox face Jays [RedSox.com]

Red Sox among the many getting no relief [RedSox.com]

Fenway Park gets exhibit in Hall of Fame [RedSox.com]

New amenities honor Fenway’s anniversary [RedSox.com]

Getting a grip on thumb injuries [RedSox.com]

Lucchino: ‘Silly to overreact’ to start [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Cherington: Bard will stay in rotation [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Daniel Bard should remain in rotation [Touching All the Bases]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

It’s hard for some people not to panic over the 2012 Boston Red Sox when you look at the start they had last year going 0-6 before winning their first game. And as much as I hate to rehash it, we can’t forget how the season ended either.

We’re three games into a 162 game season and people want to jump off the Tobin Bridge. Folks, it’s three games.

In the first two games, nothing had really come together. Jon Lester was fine in the first game, the offense and the bullpen not so much. Saturday’s game brought us no offensive effort and an absolute stinker from Josh Beckett.

Sunday’s game was a totally different story.

The offense was there. The pitching, starting and the bullpen with the exception of Vicente Padilla and Franklin Morales, probably stunk as much as, if not more than Beckett did Saturday.

The difference between Clay Buchholz on Sunday and his fellow Texan was that Buchholz didn’t allow five home runs. He definitely wasn’t hit as hard as Beckett either despite the fact that he gave up eight hits and seven runs. The problem with Buchholz was that he couldn’t finish hitters off on more than one occasion.

Two of the doubles he allowed came on 0-2 pitches. The singles he allowed weren’t exactly crushed, they were hit to where his defense wasn’t. Honestly I thought the best pitch Buchholz had was his 12-6 curveball and he only threw that 13 times. But when you’re other pitches aren’t working, you can’t just go out and through all curves.

Thank God for Padilla. If it weren’t for him, this game could have easily gotten more out of hand. And while the offense was getting them back in the game, he was keeping them there.

He came out of the bullpen yesterday and threw four scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out two. 

Alfredo Aceves, the new Red Sox closer, blew his first save opportunity. If you thought he struggled on Opening Day, then I’m not sure what you would think of his performance on Sunday.

Aceves faced three batters, allowing three hits and three runs. The three runs came off the bat of Miguel Cabrera that tied the game in the bottom of the 9th. In case you were wondering, Aceves ERA right now is infinity. Yes, I said infinity.

Felix Doubront bailed out Aceves in the 9th and then was solid again in the 10th to keep the Red Sox in the game. Unfortunately Mark Melancon struggled again as he gave up three runs on three hits, including the game-winning two run homer by Alex Avila.

I haven’t even gotten to the offense yet. You can’t blame them. They did everything they were asked to do today and more, especially with the pitching only being so-so at times.

Bobby Valentine shook up the lineup and got 12 runs out of it. It’s just too bad the pitching staff gave up 13 runs.

Mike Aviles broke out of 0-for the season start and went 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Nick Punto gave Kevin Youkilis the day off at third and added three hits and three RBIs while David Ortiz added three hits and a RBI. Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez all had two hits with Ellsbury and Pedroia knocking in a run each. Gonzalez had his and the team’s first home run of the season that knocked in two in the 6th inning and gave them a 9-7 lead.

The only member of the starting nine on Sunday not to have a hit was Kelly Shoppach.

Only time will tell what Valentine and GM Ben Cherington will do with this bullpen. You have to think if Daniel Bard struggles in his first start on Tuesday that he could head back to the bullpen and try to plug the hole in the leaking ship that is the bullpen.

If not, they may have to look for answers down on the farm.

Just remember folks, tonight’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays is only game four of 162. And if you’re panicking right now, just think of what our friends who are fans of the American League team in New York are doing since they have the same record as us.

We’ll be back later on today 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.

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

A digital Fenway Park [Boston Globe]

It’s not too early to be concerned [Boston Globe]

Padilla pitched in nicely [Boston Globe]

Revamped lineup was a hit [Boston Globe]

Unkind cut [Boston Globe]

The smackdowns are getting worse [Boston Globe]

Sox setting new standards in bizarre failure [Boston Herald]

Red Sox restless for relief to recurring nightmare [Boston Herald]

Clay Buchholz battered in long-awaited return [Boston Herald]

Vicente Padilla long on value [Boston Herald]

After Detroit disaster, Daniel Bard must close [Boston Herald]

The Daniel Bard conundrum: Why it might be time to make the move [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Red Sox blow two late leads, lose, 13-12 [CSN New England]

Buchholz gets knocked around in first start since June 16 [CSN New England]

Padilla’s, Morales’ strong Sox outings lost in the fray [CSN New England]

Aceves, Melancon again fail Red Sox in end [CSN New England]

Bobby V: ‘Trying to figure out what to do’ [ESPN Boston]

A-Gon on HBP: Miggy, Prince ‘at risk’ [ESPN Boston]

More on the combustible bullpen [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox bullpen suffers Motown meltdown in walkoff loss [Full Count]

Jacoby Ellsbury Gets Ketel One Honorable Moment Treatment for Walkoff Hits That Carried Sox, Showed Center Fielder’s Skill [NESN.com]

Guide to Learning How to Speak Baseball in Japanese [NESN.com]

Red Sox Bullpen Without Andrew Bailey Gets a ‘Thumbs Down’ in First Series of Season [NESN.com]

Can Jacoby Ellsbury Have Another 30/30 Season in 2012? [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Says Red Sox Have ‘A Lot of Heart,’ But So Far It’s Not the Right Kind [NESN.com]

Winless Sox still searching for relief [Providence Journal]

Even a dozen runs doesn’t add up to a win [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Buchholz does struggling pen no favors [Providence Journal]

Beckett’s thumb responds fine after shaky start [RedSox.com]

Hill impressive in Class A rehab appearance [RedSox.com]

Punto leads off as Valentine shuffles lineup [RedSox.com]

Case not closed: Bullpen squanders two leads [RedSox.com]

Padilla fires four shutout innings of relief in loss [RedSox.com]

Prospect righty Barnes fans 9 in Class A game [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.

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 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

Other UConn related links

W. Tennis. Huskies Fall To DePaul, 7-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Golf. Huskies Finish 7th At Rutherford Intercollegiate [UConnHuskies.com]

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

Is this a case of here we go again for the Boston Red Sox and Josh Beckett?

Last year the Red Sox started the season 0-6. So far in 2012, they are 0-2. Beckett struggled during the month of September. Beckett gave up five home runs in 4 2/3 innings in his first start of 2012.

Given that Beckett gave up those five home runs yesterday, it made you wonder if the thumb injury he’s been battling through was a factor. He made sure to let the media know after the game, it had nothing to do with the way he pitched.

Beckett’s fastball stunk. He clocked out at a high of 92 MPH and had some trouble hitting his spots with it as evidence by the mammoth home runs by Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. He primarily relied on his cutter and by the results you can tell that it wasn’t as effective as we’ve seen in the past.

Beckett is no longer throwing to Jason Varitek, who retired before the season started. Tek caught most of Beckett’s innings last year and has struggled when Jarrod Saltalamacchia is behind the dish. He’s now thrown to Salty for four games and allowed 19 runs in 22.2 innings. Sure it’s only four games but if this continues, then Bobby Valentine needs to do something like maybe try Kelly Shoppach with him instead.

Speaking of Shoppach, he finally collected his first hit in a Red Sox uniform with a pinch-hit single in the 9th. He had started his career with the Red Sox in 2005 and went 0-for-15.

Offensively, this team, for the most part is in a funk.

Kevin Youkilis has now struckout four times in his first eight at-bats of the season. Mike Aviles is 0-for-6 with three strikeouts. Jacoby Ellsbury is still hitless on the season as is Cody Ross.

I’m not sure what Valentine can do to shake up this team offensively. But right now whatever he’s doing isn’t working. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see a little different lineup 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 losing the first two games, the Boston Red Sox look for their first win in the finale of a three-game set against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Tigers television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Detroit.  If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Clay Buchholz looks to get the Red Sox into the win column in his first start of the season and first since June of 2011. In 14 starts last season, Buchholz was 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA before being sidelined for the rest of the season with a back injury. He made two starts against the Tigers in 2011 and had no record with a 2.08 ERA (3 ER/13 IP). He’s made six career starts against the Tigers and is 1-1 with a 2.58 ERA. Three of those starts have come at Comerica Park where he is 1-0 with a 4.96 ERA (9 ER/16.1 IP).

Max Scherzer looks to complete the sweep for the Tigers in his first start of the season. In 33 starts last year, Scherzer was 15-9 with a 4.43 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox last year on May 26th and took the loss. In that start, he went just two innings after allowing seven runs on seven hits. He’s struggled in three career starts against the Red Sox as he is 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA (14 ER/13.1 IP).

Here are today’s lineups:

0-2		2-0
1. Nick Punto	3B	1. Austin Jackson	CF
2. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	2. Brennan Boesch	RF
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Miguel Cabrera	3B
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Prince Fielder	1B
5. David Ortiz	DH	5. Delmon Young	DH
6. Darnell McDonald	LF	6. Alex Avila	C
7. Ryan Sweeney	RF	7. Jhonny Peralta	SS
8. Mike Aviles	SS	8. Andy Dirks	LF
9. Kelly Shoppach	C	9. Ryan Raburn	2B
Clay Buchholz	SP	Max Scherzer	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

Tigers’ combination clicks big time [Boston Globe]

Clay Buchholz is healthy and ready to pitch in [Boston Globe]

Kevin Youkilis scuffling after 0-for-8 start [Boston Globe]

Deep trouble [Boston Globe]

For starters, this defeat looked a lot like September [Boston Globe]

In majors, motivation has a personal twist [Boston Globe]

Josh Beckett hit for 5 HRs as Red Sox drop to 0-2 [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett effort not ‘fine’ for Sox [Boston Herald]

Sox wait for hits to arrive [Boston Herald]

Lamont not lamenting [Boston Herald]

Blasts bury Becks [Boston Herald]

Pregame notes: Bobby V on Red Sox’ lineup changes [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox offense ‘not working’ [CSN New England]

Wheels come off for Beckett [CSN New England]

Beckett run over in Motor City [CSN New England]

Sox looking for win, Valentine shakes up lineup [CSN New England]

Matt Barnes debuts Sunday [ESPN Boston]

Sox in danger of another slow start [ESPN Boston]

V on Beckett: Mentally bruised but fine [ESPN Boston]

Youkilis on sitting: ‘Can’t be upset’ [ESPN Boston]

Olney: Growing discontent in clubhouse [ESPN Boston]

Scout on Beckett: ‘Worst I’ve seen’ [ESPN Boston]

Valentine’s starts, year by year [ESPN Boston]

Valentine explains his lineup changes [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Josh Beckett blasted as Tigers shut out Red Sox [Full Count]

Red Sox prospect Henry Owens strikes quickly [Full Count]

Jenny Dell Relives Memorable Opening Day Experience at Comerica Park [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Still Believes in Josh Beckett After Rough Start to Season [NESN.com]

Will Adrian Gonzalez Lead the Red Sox in Home Runs This Season? [NESN.com]

Doubront more experienced this time around [Projo Sox Blog]

Miller, Hill to pitch this week for Greenville [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett bombed in Motown mauling [Providence Journal]

Sox bats have yet to break camp [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Defense shaky in early games [Providence Journal]

Buchholz aims to right Red Sox’s ship in finale [RedSox.com]

Thumbs down for Beckett, Sox in Motor City [RedSox.com]

Back fine, Buchholz concentrating on pitching [RedSox.com]

Crawford closing in on games in Florida [RedSox.com]

Valentine will try to keep bench involved [RedSox.com]

From wait to weight: Amidst questions about Beckett, Sox need healthy Buchholz to shoulder load [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo, 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 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.

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UConn Football links

News And Notes From UConn Football Spring Practice No.9 [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Two more weeks of spring ball [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Second spring scrimmage thoughts [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Bad Shoulder Puts Future Of UConn’s Shoemate In Doubt [Hartford Courant]

Injuries taking away D.J. Shoemate’s spring, could take away career [New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Stewart brings a boatload of talent to UConn [CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn transfer Oriakhi to visit Missouri [CBSSports.com]

Other UConn related links

Softball. UConn Survives Late Rally, Wins 7-6 [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball. UConn Sweeps Villanova, Remains Unbeaten At Home [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Huskies Honor Six Seniors At Final Home Meet Of 2012 [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Ninth-Inning Rally Leads UConn Baseball to Weekend Sweep at Pitt [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Lacrosse. Lapham Becomes All-Time Scoring Leader, Huskies Win In OT 14-13 [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Huskies Finish Seventh At Battle On The Bayou [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Golf. UConn 4th After Round 1 At Rutherford [UConnHuskies.com]

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

After falling on Opening Day on walkoff hit, the Boston Red Sox look to pick up their first win of the season in game two of a three-game set with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast to 43% 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.

After a little uncertainty about his first start due to a thumb injury, Josh Beckett will take the mound this afternoon. He made 30 starts in 2011 for the Red Sox and was 13-7 with a 2.89 ERA. Beckett made two starts against the Tigers last year and was 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA (3 ER/12 IP). Overall in his career, Beckett has made six starts against the Tigers and is 3-2 with a 2.50 ERA. Three of those starts have come at Comerica Park where he is 2-1 with a 1.31 ERA (3 ER/20.2 IP).

Doug Fister gets the ball for Jim Leyland this afternoon after going 8-1 in 11 games (10 starts) after his trade to the Tigers from the Seattle Mariners last year. Overall between the two clubs, Fister was 11-13 in 32 games (31 starts). His lone start against the Red Sox came as a member of the Mariners where he picked up the win after 5.2 shutout innings. He’s made four career starts against the Red Sox, all as a member of the Mariners, and is 1-2 with a 3.33 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:

0-1		1-0
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Austin Jackson	CF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Brennan Boesch	RF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Miguel Cabrera	3B
4. David Ortiz	DH	4. Prince Fielder	1B
5. Kevin Youkilis	3B	5. Delmon Young	LF
6. Ryan Sweeney	RF	6. Alex Avila	C
7. Cody Ross	LF	7. Jhonny Peralta	SS
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. Andy Dirks	DH
9. Mike Aviles	SS	9. Ryan Raburn	2B
Josh Beckett	SP	Doug Fister	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

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Bailey gives thumbs up for return [Boston Globe]

Beckett has plenty to prove [Boston Globe]

Lucchino willing to up payroll [Boston Globe]

Josh Beckett drama begins [Boston Herald]

These Red Sox all new to [Boston Herald]

Andrew Bailey jinxed himself [Boston Herald]

Sluggers Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Cabrera go way back [Boston Herald]

Pregame notes: Crawford to get minor-league at-bats ‘very soon’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox face daunting opening hurdles [CSN New England]

Bailey frustrated, but pragmatic, about injury [CSN New England]

Red Sox willing to add payroll to improve pitching [CSN New England]

Who will be the Red Sox closer in June? [CSN New England]

Where should Crawford bat when he returns? [CSN New England]

Buchholz heathy, ready to pitch in real games [CSN New England]

Rehab updates: Crawford, Hill and Miller [CSN New England]

Schilling: It’s not me against Bobby V [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox’s Josh Beckett is long on motivation, if hazy on history [ESPN Boston]

Andrew Bailey of Boston Red Sox eager to return post surgery [ESPN Boston]

Crawford “imminent” to play spring games [ESPN Boston]

The best and the worst of the top contracts [Extra Bases]

Hill and Miller start rehab assignments tonight [Extra Bases]

Crawford close to getting in a game [Extra Bases]

Daniel Bard: Red Sox bullpen fine without Andrew Bailey (or him) [Full Count]

Video: A doctor’s perspective of the Andrew Bailey injury [Full Count]

Adrian Gonzalez: ‘I hope [contract] is a bargain for the Red Sox’ [Full Count]

Red Sox bullpen just won’t cut it [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Which Red Sox Pitcher Will Lead the Team in Wins This Season? [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard Needs to Remain in Rotation, Even Amidst Red Sox Bullpen Questions [NESN.com]

Red Sox Look to Emerge Victorious in American League East Version of ‘The Hunger Games’ [NESN.com]

Crawford close to action at extended spring [Projo Sox Blog]

Hill, Miller to pitch for Class A Greenville [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz hopes delivery tweaks prevent back issues [Projo Sox Blog]

After day off, Sox turn to Beckett vs. Tigers [RedSox.com]

Optimistic Bailey not dwelling on misfortune [RedSox.com]

Can the Red Sox find an old-school formula for bullpen success? [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Eckersley and Smoltz weigh in on Bard [Touching All The Bases]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, 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

Auriemma Receives 2012 Wooden Legends of Coaching Award [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Oriakhi to meet with Missouri, Xavier [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Appeal Denied: What does this mean for UConn’s future? [Kevin Duffy – CT post]

Alex Oriakhi’s father calls for Jim Calhoun to be fired [The UConn Blog]

Jim Calhoun: ‘We’ve made mistakes’ [Andy Katz – ESPN.com]

All Signs Point To Jim Calhoun Staying At UConn [Hartford Courant]

Postseason ban prompts response from Connecticut congressmen [New Haven Register]

Calhoun certainly busy at UConn, but coach yet to make a final decision [The Day]

UConn Football links

DC answered some questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

W. Rowing. UMass Wins Four Of Five Races Vs. Rowing [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Tabakman Outduels Pitcher of the Week in 3-1 Win at Pitt [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball. UConn Stretches Home Win Streak To Five With BIG EAST Win [UConnHuskies.com]

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