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

UConn run game struggling [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn notes: George DeLeone on the offense and Johnny Mac [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

DC answered a plethora of questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Tuesday presser [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Williams the underdog gets it done for UConn [CT Post]

UConn’s Jerome Junior Returns After ‘Bump In The Road’ [Hartford Courant]

McEntee Tops In UConn QB Competition [Hartford Courant]

UConn Running Attack Is Standing Still [Hartford Courant]

Wes Welker clone Nick Williams sparks Huskies [New Haven Register]

Blidi Wreh-Wilson’s injury provides an opportunity [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn’s McEntee has QB job all to himself [The Day]

UConn football notes: Williams remains a big-play threat [The Day]

UConn Notebook — McEntee starts to play like a starter [The Hour]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Rings and Things [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Jim Calhoun To Speak at Middlesex Chamber Breakfast [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Upcoming UConn basketball events [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

Pitino: UConn to ACC ‘Dumbest Thing’ He’s Ever Heard [ZagsBlog]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Stewart named to Pan Am Games squad [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Geno Auriemma On Stefanie Dolson, Bria Hartley and Tina Charles [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Auriemma On ACC: First You Must Be Invited [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer New No. 1 Team In NCAA [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. No. 1 Huskies Grind Out 1-0 Victory In Double OT Over Yale [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. UConn Men’s Soccer Team Beats Yale, 1-0 In OT [Hartford Courant]

M. Soccer. College Roundup: Huskies take top spot [MLSsoccer.com]

M. Soccer. Blake scores rare goal, Huskies end extra-time hex [The Daily Campus]

M. Soccer. Huskies deny miracle tie in final minute [Yale Daily News]

M & W. Tennis. Men’s and Women’s Tennis Earns ITA Academic Awards [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Cross Country. Cross Country Names 2011 Captains [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Field Hockey To Hold Clinic on October 16 [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. No. 4 Field Hockey Welcomes UMass to Storrs on Wednesday [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Minutewomen face Huskies to start 4-game road trip [The Daily Collegian]

M. Golf. Buchanan Leads Huskies to Hawks Invitational Title [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn’s situation still all the talk in-state [CBSSports.com]

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

The Boston Red Sox face a must win situation tonight in the second game of a three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Today’s first pitch for game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and can be seen on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may also be able to catch the game on the MLB Network. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Erik Bedard looks to give the Red Sox a big win tonight in his eighth start for them and 24th overall on the season. In his seven starts with the Red Sox, Bedard is 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA. In his 24 starts between the Seattle Mariners and Red Sox, Bedard is 5-9 with a 3.50 ERA. He’s made two starts against his former club this season and has no record with a 3.00 ERA (3 ER/9 IP). He’s made just four career starts against the O’s and is 1-0 with a 2.79 ERA. He’s made 57 appearances (56 starts) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and is 20-18 with a 3.52 ERA.

Rookie Zach Britton looks to add to the misery of the Red Sox in his 28th start of 2011. In his previous 27 starts, Britton is 11-10 with a 4.44 ERA. In his two starts against the Red Sox this season which are the only ones of his career, he is 1-1 with a 10.80 ERA (8 ER/6.2 IP). In his only home start against the Red Sox, he took the win back on April 26th when he allowed one run in six innings of work.

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 this evening’s lineups:

89-71		68-92
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Robert Andino	2B
2. Dustin Pedroia	LF	2. J.J. Hardy	SS
3. David Ortiz	2B	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. Jed Lowrie	3B	4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH
5. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Ryan Lavarnway	C	6. Adam Jones	CF
7. Darnell McDonald	RF	7. Mark Reynolds	1B
8. Carl Crawford	LF	8. Chris Davis	3B
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9. Nolan Reimold	LF
Erik Bedard	SP	Zach Britton	SP

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

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

For Josh Beckett, timing is everything [Boston Herald]

Red Sox need Erik Bedard to deliver a solid start tonight vs. Orioles [Clubhouse Insider]

Jed Lowrie batting cleanup, Ryan Lavarnway catching for Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox-Rays play-in game would begin at 4:07 p.m. Thursday [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Francona on catching situation, Lester and keeping even-keel [Clubhouse Insider]

Schilling on Sox fall: ‘I think more of it’s on Theo than on Tito’ [CSN New England]

Sox in trouble even if they make ALDS [CSN New England]

Buckley, Merloni: Ellsbury should’ve caught it [CSN New England]

Video: Ah, tradition: Sox’ rookie hazing gets risque [CSN New England]

Notes: Lavarnway starts at catcher; Lowrie cleanup [CSN New England]

Schill: ‘This is 100 percent on the players’ [ESPN Boston]

Reason to believe? (Gulp) [ESPN Boston]

Wild-card watch: Bedard vs. O’s [ESPN Boston]

Lavarnway gets start; Salty: I’m available [ESPN Boston]

Tito on Lowrie hitting 4th [ESPN Boston]

Francona: Buchholz won’t pitch Wednesday [ESPN Boston]

What are the Red Sox made of? [Extra Bases]

The pitching problem for the Red Sox [Extra Bases]

Podcast: Down and out? [Extra Bases]

Pre-game notes from Camden Yards [Extra Bases]

Curt Schilling on D&C: ‘More of it’s on Theo than Tito’ [Full Count]

A look back at Red Sox’ September losses [Full Count]

Why the Red Sox still could acquire pitcher for one-game playoff [Full Count]

Early notes: Lavarnway looks like right choice vs. lefty [Full Count]

September Collapse of Red Sox Could Be Worst Ever [Nate Silver – New York Times]

What’s Been Red Sox’ Biggest Unpredictable, Unfortunate Event in September? [NESN.com]

Video: Heidi Watney Provides Inside Look at Red Sox Rookies’ Annual Fashion Show [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Even-Keel Approach Put to Test, Remains Important During Recent Team-Wide Slump [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Still Dogged by Walk Issues, Especially Late in Season, Which Could Be Cause for Concern [NESN.com]

Video: Dennis Eckersley Says Watching Red Sox From Home Like ‘Watching Your Kids Play’ [NESN.com]

Video: Rookie Ryan Lavarnway Continues to Pick Brains of Red Sox Catchers in Preparation for Major Role With Team [NESN.com]

Sea Dogs Announce 2012 Schedule [OurSports Central]

September has been rough on Saltalamacchia [Projo Sox Blog]

At least Bucky Dent . . . [Projo Sox Blog]

Resetting the bullpen for Tuesday night [Projo Sox Blog]

Wheeler “unlikely” to pitch in next two games [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz to make next appearance in Fort Myers [Projo Sox Blog]

Sore Saltalamacchia still available in reserve [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona explains new-look lineup for critical game [Projo Sox Blog]

Pressure is on Red Sox with time running out [RedSox.com]

It might be time to face some Red Sox reality [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Plenty of hope left in Red Sox [Tom Caron – Portland Press Herald]

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

Photo credits:  Getty Images, Getty Images

Here’s a press release from the UConn Athletic Communications Department concerning “First Night” for the men’s and women’s basketball programs:

STORRS, Conn. –The University of Connecticut men’s and women’s basketball programs will tip-off the 2011-12 season with “First Night” sponsored by People’s United Bank on Friday, October 14th. Admission is free and open to the public.

Start the night off by visiting FanFest located outside the North entrance of Gampel Pavilion and on Fairfield Way for inflatable games, food, music and fun. Gampel Pavilion doors will open at 6 p.m. featuring an autograph session with both teams, followed by performances from the band, cheer and dance squads, introductions of the players and coaches, a dunk and three-point contest and ultimate prize giveaways.

The show will end at approximately at 8 p.m. with a performance by the famous Simon Sez. There will also be surprise guest appearances by former UConn basketball greats.

5 p.m. – FanFest on Fairfield Way 6 p.m. – Doors Open and Autograph Session 7 p.m. – Show Begins

For up to date information on First Night follow us at @UconnHuskies on Twitter and use the hashtag #UConnFirstNight or like us on Facebook.com/UConnHuskies.

Season tickets for both men’s and women’s basketball are on sale now and can be purchased online at UConnHuskies.com or by calling 1-877-At-UCONN.

HARTFORD, Conn. (September 27, 2011) – Hoop Streams, the online source for CPTV’s UConn Women’s Basketball coverage, is returning for its eighth year as the Huskies take to the court for the 2011-2012 college basketball season.

Follow the games anytime, anywhere as the Huskies seek to carry the 2012 national championship after last year’s heartbreaking loss. And this year, Hoop Streams will bring back the service improvements it premiered in 2010, including clearer video and five-times-faster streaming speed.

Hoop Streams is sponsored exclusively by New York Life Insurance Company. It provides live and on-demand access to CPTV-aired UConn games, The Geno Auriemma Show, archived games and more. Subscribers to the service have the flexibility to watch the games live on their computer or at a later date, and as many times as they choose. New York Life will again be a Signature Sponsor for the station’s broadcasts of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball games during the 2011-2012 season.

Hoop Streams is perfect for…

• Out-of-state UConn alums and fans
• Fans who miss night or weekend games due to a busy schedule
• Winter “snowbirds”
• Relatives of students or players
• Individuals who only have access to a computer at game time, and…
• UCONN ULTIMATE FANS!

The cost of subscription for the entire season is $59.95; $34.95 for a monthly pass; or $14.95 for pay-per-view broadcasts. All users need is a high-speed broadband Internet connection, a Mac or a PC and an updated Flash Player (available for free at http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/).

Participants can subscribe by visiting CPTV.org keywords: Hoop Streams.

Tune in as coaches Geno Auriemma, Chris Dailey, Shea Ralph and Marisa Moseley lead familiar faces like Lauren Engeln and Stefanie Dolson, as well as new favorites like Brianna Banks and Kiah Stokes, into a whole new season of UConn action. And with Hoops Streams, you won’t have to miss a minute of CPTV’s televised coverage.

I am running out of ways to be positive as to what’s going on with the Boston Red Sox right now. We are bearing witness to something most have never seen before in their lifetimes and I, for one, don’t like it one bit.

The Red Sox now find themselves tied with the Tampa Bay Rays after they fell 6-3 to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. The Rays beat the New York Yankees 5-2 to pick up the game that has now tied the AL Wild Card standings. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were eliminated last night when they lost to the Texas Rangers.

It’s quite possible the Red Sox could be still leading the wild card standings had Jacoby Ellsbury made one whale of a catch. The blame doesn’t lie with him because of that. He flat out made every effort to catch the ball only to have the wall he ran hard into, knock the ball out of his glove.

Because of that, it went from being the third out of the inning and the Red Sox trailing 3-2, to Robert Andino hitting an inside the park three-run homer and the Orioles leading 6-2.

Terry Francona probably should have pulled Josh Beckett before facing Andino in the 6th inning. He had been leaving balls up in the zone or out over the plate like the pitch Andino drove to deep center.

I’m not going to place blame on anyone yet though. The season isn’t over by any means. There’s nothing out there that says the Red Sox have been eliminated from the playoffs.

At the very minimum if they win their final two games of the season, the Red Sox are guaranteed to play on Thursday if the Rays do the same thing by winning their final two games. That would set up a one-game playoff at the Trop.

Honestly though, the Red Sox can’t worry about the Rays winning or losing right now. They need to keep their focus on winning these final two games because you don’t really want to rely on the Yankees for anything. They’re already in the playoffs and are getting their players rested for the grind of the playoffs.

That’s why it’s of the utmost importance the Red Sox stayed focused on what they can do each night. And if they do that tonight, then they need to go out and do the same thing the next night.

It’s that simple folks!

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and any links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by click 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

Even worse [Boston Globe]

Beckett just can’t deliver [Boston Globe]

Now caught shorthanded? [Boston Globe]

September mourn [Boston Herald]

Ace lacking for delivery [Boston Herald]

Marriage worth saving [Boston Herald]

Catching the injury bug [Boston Herald]

Drew puts finger on new goals [Boston Herald]

Sox lose wild card lead after 6-3 loss [CSN New England]

Beckett, like Lester, fails Red Sox down the stretch [CSN New England]

Notes: Saltalamacchia, Varitek banged up [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Orioles 6, Red Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

X-rays negative on Saltalamacchia [ESPN Boston]

Video: Players react to loss [ESPN Boston]

Video: Francona’s assessment [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox lose lead, are desperate to regroup in time [ESPN Boston]

Josh Beckett doesn’t live up to ‘ace’ reputation [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox lose to Orioles; fall into tie with Rays with two games left [Full Count]

Red Sox could find themselves in a catching conundrum [Full Count]

X-Rays Negative on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s Shoulder, Could Return to Red Sox Lineup Tuesday [NESN.com]

Video: Josh Beckett Says He Just Hasn’t Made Pitches When Needed [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett, Jon Lester Continue to Come Up Empty When Team Needs It Most [NESN.com]

Video: Dustin Pedroia Promises Red Sox Will Continue Playing as Hard as They Can Going Forward [NESN.com]

Red Sox Clinging to Tiny Shred of Hope After All of a Nine-Game Lead Is Lost [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury’s Near-Catch Defines Month of Misery for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Boston’s wildcard lead evaporates [Providence Journal]

Beckett couldn’t deliver when team needed him most [Providence Journal]

Record-breaking season comes as no surprise to Ellsbury [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Boston’s catching corps is banged, bruised [Providence Journal]

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 Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

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

Big East Power Rankings: Week 5 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Weekend Rewind: Big East [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East notes, with injury updates [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson Won’t Play Vs. Western Michigan; Wilburn To Start [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Wreh-Wilson out with knee injury [Journal Inquirer]

Realigning the Big East: Who Should Be Added [College Football Zealots]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Jeremy Lamb Lets His Play Do the Talking [UConn Today]

Win A Trip To See Your UCONN Huskies Battle 4 Atlantis [CBS Connecticut]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Four former UConn stars at U.S. training camp [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Holmes commits to West Virginia [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

USA Basketball Ready To Embark On European Tour [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Auriemma On Caroline Doty’s Being Cleared To Play [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

How Does Geno Feel About The ACC-Big East Deal? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Doty Cleared To Play For UConn, Geno Says It’s No Big Deal [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

UConn Academics Called ‘Good Fit’ for ACC [Hartford Courant]

Malloy says Notre Dame decision on ACC would impact UConn [CT Post]

Gov. Malloy says ACC’s decision not likely soon [Hartford Courant]

W. Cross Country. Women’s Cross Country 6th In Northeast Region [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Tennis. Men’s Tennis Concludes UConn Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Chloe Hunnable Named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. The Men In The Middle – A Soccer Feature [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Andre Blake Named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week [UConnHuskies.com]

Mets, UConn overlap upsets some viewers [UConnHuskies.com]

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

UConn Huskies head coach Paul Pasqualoni has released his depth chart for Saturday afternoon’s game with the Western Michigan Broncos and there’s only one change from last week’s depth chart against the Buffalo Bulls. And that only comes because of an injury.

With cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson out with a sprained MCL for the next couple of weeks, Gary Wilburn steps in to start for him.

Despite saying on Sunday, that quarterback Johnny McEntee was a step above QB’s Scott McCummings and Michael Nebrich, the threesome is still listed in an “OR” situation. Take that for what it’s worth folks as I think we’ll be seeing a lot of McEntee with McCummings in when the situation warrants the “Wildcat” formation.

For a full look at the depth chart, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

OFFENSE

LT: 72 Jimmy Bennett (RJr., 6-9, 306)
50 Tyler Bullock (So., 6-4, 298)

LG: 77 Kevin Friend (RSo., 6-5, 300)
69 Steve Greene (RSo., 6-4, 304)

C: 57 Moe Petrus (RSr., 6-2, 302)
70 Gary Bardzak (RSr., 6-3, 289)

RG: 63 Adam Masters (RJr., 6-4, 292)
65 Gus Cruz (RFr., 6-4, 288)

RT: 71 Mike Ryan (RSr., 6-5, 335)
61 Stephen Brown (So., 6-6, 290)

TE: 89 John Delahunt (RJr., 6-3, 247) OR
94 Ryan Griffin (RJr., 6-6, 248)
81 Corey Manning (RJr., 6-5, 247)

WR: 6 Kashif Moore (RSr., 5-10, 175)
84 Tebucky Jones (RFr., 5-11, 186) OR
31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)

FB: 39 Mark Hinkley (RJr., 5-11, 226)
47 Reuben Frank (RFr., 6-3, 238)

QB: 11 Scott McCummings (RFr., 6-2, 218) OR
18 Johnny McEntee (RJr., 6-3, 224) OR
2 Mike Nebrich (Fr., 6-1, 204)

TB: 24 D.J. Shoemate (Sr., 5-11, 219) OR
43 Lyle McCombs (RFr., 5-8, 172)

WR: 83 Isiah Moore (RSr., 6-1, 195)
85 Geremy Davis (Fr., 6-3, 211)

DEFENSE

DE: 48 Trevardo Williams (Jr., 6-1, 231)
26 Marcus Campbell (Sr., 6-3, 231)

DT: 4 Twyon Martin (RSr., 6-2, 273)
53 Ryan Wirth (RJr., 6-2, 268)

DT: 99 Kendall Reyes (RSr., 6-4, 295)
59 Shamar Stephen (RSo., 6-5, 315)

DE: 98 Teddy Jennings (RJr., 6-5, 248) OR
91 Jesse Joseph (Jr., 6-3, 262)
97 B.J. McBryde (RFr., 6-4, 277)

LB: 3 Sio Moore (RJr., 6-1, 232)
32 Jefferson Ashiru (Fr., 6-1, 210)

LB: 33 Yawin Smallwood (RFr., 6-2, 229)
36 Michael Osiecki (Fr., 6-1, 238)

LB: 28 Jory Johnson (RJr., 6-1, 227)
46 Marquise Vann (Fr., 6-0, 225)

CB: 7 Dwayne Gratz (RJr., 6-0, 195)
21 Gary Wilburn (RSr., 5-11, 197)

S: 15 Jerome Junior (RJr., 6-1, 215)
2 Gilbert Stlouis (So., 5-11, 183)

S: 25 Harris Agbor (RSr., 5-11, 199)
16 Byron Jones (RFr., 6-1, 187)

CB: 21 Gary Wilburn (RSr., 5-11, 197)
29 Taylor Mack (So., 5-9, 169)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK: 38 Dave Teggart (RSr., 6-0, 203)
13 Chad Christen (RSo. 6-2, 211)

P: 86 Cole Wagner (RSo., 6-2, 211)
13 Chad Christen (RSo. 6-2, 211)

H: 13 Chad Christen (RSo., 6-1, 201)
86 Cole Wagner (RSo., 6-2, 211)

DS: 67 Adam Mueller (So., 6-1, 207)
66 Dominick Manco (Fr., 6-1, 251)

KR: 31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)
10 Deshon Foxx (Fr., 5-10, 170)

PR: 31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)
29 Taylor Mack (So., 5-9, 169)

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

With a magic number of three entering the final three games of the season, the Boston Red Sox know what has to be done to guarantee clinching the AL Wild Card. Tonight, they’ll continue their push towards that in the first of three games against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Today’s first pitch for game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and can be seen on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can catch the game on MASN.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may also be able to catch the game on the MLB Network. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett makes his 30th and probably most important start of 2011 tonight. In his previous 29 starts, Beckett is 13-7 with a 2.70 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Orioles this year and is 1-1 with a 6.38 ERA. Beckett’s made 17 career starts against the Orioles and is 7-4 with a 3.99 ERA. 11 of those starts have come at Camden Yards where he is 5-2 with a 3.18 ERA.

Tommy Hunter makes his 11th start (12th appearance) for the Orioles and 19th overall appearance this season. In his previous 18 appearances (10 starts) between the Orioles and Rangers, Hunter is 4-4 with a 4.86 ERA. With the Orioles, he is 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA in 11 appearances (10 starts). He’s made one start against the Red Sox this season which came in his last start on September 21st. In that start, he picked up a no decision after allowing four runs in 6.2 innings of work. He’s made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with a 7.50 ERA (21 ER/24 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 this evening’s lineups:

89-70		67-92
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Matt Angle	LF
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. J.J. Hardy	SS
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Nick Markakis	RF
4. David Ortiz	DH	4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH
5. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	5. Matt Wieters	C
6. Jed Lowrie	3B	6. Adam Jones	CF
7. J.D. Drew	RF	7. Mark Reynolds	1B
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. Chris Davis	3B
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9. Robert Andino	2B
Josh Beckett	SP	Tommy Hunter	SP

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

Notes: Catcher Luis Exposito has been called up and added to the active roster. Jason Varitek was in the original starting lineup but was replaced by Salty.

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

The turning point? How Sox hope to use dramatic win as springboard [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Ellsbury has his MVP moment [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

Red Sox release statement on John Lackey [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox’ Kevin Youkilis unlikely to play this week [Clubhouse Insider]

Wild-card race to dictate if Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz will pitch Wed. [Clubhouse Insider]

Jason Varitek scratched; Jarrod Saltalamacchia to catch [Clubhouse Insider]

Report: Sox still looking to trade for a single start [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Peaks and Valleys [CSN New England]

Latest Red Sox win a sigh of relief [CSN New England]

If the end is near, Wakefield isn’t thinking about it [CSN New England]

Papelbon: Sox have to ‘grind and shine’ [CSN New England]

Notes: Varitek replaced in lineup by Saltalamacchia [CSN New England]

Three days in September [ESPN Boston]

Clay may pitch Wed. if game meaningless [ESPN Boston]

If berth on line, Lester will start Wednesday [ESPN Boston]

Youkilis unlikely to play vs. Baltimore [ESPN Boston]

Could Sox still be shopping? [ESPN Boston]

Ask Nick: Do Red Sox miss Victor Martinez? [Extra Bases]

Pondering a postseason roster [Extra Bases]

More on Jacoby Ellsbury’s historic season [Extra Bases]

Pre-game notes from Camden Yards [Extra Bases]

Jonathan Papelbon: ‘I feel like I could pitch until December’ [Full Count]

Red Sox Find Rare Good Fortune, Thanks in Part to Opportunities Created by September Baseball [NESN.com]

David Ortiz, POPchips Offering Opportunity to Win Big Papi’s Presence at Event of Your Choosing [NESN.com]

Yankees Prepared to Back Off As Rays Go All In for Final Series of Season, Which Could Make Life More Difficult for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Red Sox, Rays Would Play One-Game Playoff Thursday If Tied, Angels Could Still Make Scenario a Mess [NESN.com]

Red Sox Continue to Rank Last in Baserunning Metric, One Major Issue in September Swoon [NESN.com]

Jon Lester Will Start on Short Rest in Season Finale If Needed [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Could Pitch Wednesday in Baltimore After Throwing Simulated Games in Recent Days [NESN.com]

Rays Elect to Have Red Sox, Angels Play Thursday, Play Winner Friday If Three Teams Are Tied for Wild Card [NESN.com]

Red Sox Bullpen Comes Up Huge Against Yankees, Shows It Could Potentially Be Strength Going Forward [NESN.com]

Buck Showalter Leaves Orioles Dugout Right Before Game With Red Sox, Team Says He Suffered Ankle Injury [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Voted Winner of 2011 Chevy 10th Player Award by Fans for Performing Above and Beyond Expectations [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Says Whoever Has Insisted Red Sox Haven’t Been Feeling Pressure Lately ‘Is Lying’ [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Orioles and Magic Numbers [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury has been at his best while his team has been at its worst [Projo Sox Blog]

Bounced from a bar in Buffalo [Projo Sox Blog]

No “clear role” for Exposito leaves Lavarnway in emergency role [Projo Sox Blog]

Varitek in the lineup, Exposito called up in reserve [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz could pitch for Sox Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester in line for Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox don’t expect favors from Yanks [Projo Sox Blog]

Drew gets nod in RF again [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox would host two playoff games in case of three-way tie [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis return “an uphill battle” [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox begin critical final series behind Beckett [RedSox.com]

No rest for the Red Sox [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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

Photo credits:  Getty Images, Getty Images

After falling in game one of the day/night doubleheader with the New York Yankees on Sunday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox had their backs up against the wall in game two.

The Tampa Bay Rays had won earlier in the afternoon which pulled them to within a ½ game of the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card standings. And after the Yankees had batted in the 1st inning, things weren’t looking so good for the Red Sox.

The Yankees put up three runs that inning against John Lackey with the Red Sox having to face the Yankees second best starting pitcher this season in Ivan Nova. But Lackey settled down after that horrid 1st inning, something we’ve grown accustomed to here during this awful month of September.

Lackey would leave the game in the 7th, something that hadn’t been seen from a Red Sox starter in a long while, with the lead but also with a runner on base. Unfortunately, Alfredo Aceves allowed him to score and keep the game tied there until the 14th inning.

In between though, the bullpen was outstanding.

Some may say Jacoby Ellsbury was the hero of the game with his three-run blast in the top half of the 14th but I beg to differ. To me, there was one hero and one alone,

And that man is Jonathan Papelbon, who showed Theo Epstein why you can’t let him go in free agency.

He entered the game in the bottom of the 9th inning with runners on first and second and two outs. He got a strikeout of Austin Romine to end that threat and then struck out three of the next four batters he faced.

Had it not been for Papelbon and the rest of the bullpen who pitched after, Ellsbury may not have had the chance to breathe life back into the Red Sox clubhouse and the fans across the world.

The mission is simple for the Red Sox. Sweep all three games in Baltimore and they’re in the playoffs. With the one game lead, a magic numberand three to play, IF they do lose, the need the Rays to lose that night to the Yankees as well.

They’ve got the right man for the job to get the first win in Josh Beckett on the mound. We just need to hope his wife Holly, who is due any day now with their first child, doesn’t go into labor before the game. Hopefully the little future Beckett can hold out until his/her father pushes the Red Sox even closer to the playoffs.

We’ll be back later with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links 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

Report: John Lackey Divorcing His Wife Krista [SOX & Dawgs]

Down to the wire [Boston Globe]

A most valuable player [Boston Globe]

Help, in their hour of need [Boston Globe]

Ellsbury joins 30-30 club [Boston Globe]

Feeling a pulse [Boston Herald]

Strong finish flutters out of Wakefield’s grip [Boston Herald]

Lackey sends, gets message [Boston Herald]

Sox take deep breath [Boston Herald]

Pap’s shining moment [Boston Herald]

Ellsbury, Sox top Yanks in 14th, 7-4 [CSN New England]

Ellsbury adds to MVP-worthy resume in Game 2 [CSN New England]

Lackey lashes out at media getting too personal [CSN New England]

Notes: Ellsbury hits milestones with 30 HR, 100 RBI [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Sox 7, Yankees 4 (14 inn.) [ESPN Boston]

Video: “BBTN” on where wild card stands [ESPN Boston]

Lackey rages about ‘personal’ text message [ESPN Boston]

Beckett may not have caddie Varitek Monday night [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia’s stop: The play that saved the season? [ESPN Boston]

Francona expects stocked bullpen Monday [ESPN Boston]

Drew, Lowrie make impact [ESPN Boston]

Jacoby Ellsbury shows his value in critical Boston Red Sox win [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Jacoby Ellsbury, bullpen pace Red Sox to much-needed win over Yankees [Full Count]

Irked John Lackey impresses on mound, fumes off of it [Full Count]

Jacoby Ellsbury Pleased With Season He’s Had, But Understands There’s Still Work to Be Done As Red Sox Head to Baltimore [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia: ‘We’re Going to Come Out and Play Our Butts Off’ [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Magic Number Down to Three After Grinding Out Win in Second Game of Marathon Doubleheader With Yankees [NESN.com]

Final series looms much larger than expected for Red Sox [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Would Aceves be called to start in one-game playoff? [Providence Journal]

Time short, fundamentals key for Boston [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the 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.

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 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

Big East bowl projections [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

McEntee has “clearly separated himself” [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Sunday review -running game woes [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

McEntee Tops In UConn QB Competition [Hartford Courant]

Johnny McEntee separates himself in QB competition [New Haven Register]

UConn’s quarterback battle may soon be over [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Notebook — McEntee takes a big step toward ‘starting role’ [The Hour]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Shabazz Napier: Following Kemba Walker, Being Himself [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

W. Volleyball. Connecticut Swept by Louisville Spikers, 3-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Ties Cincinnati After Double Overtime, 2-2 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Tennis. Women’s Tennis Competes At West Point Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Riders on the Storm [The Daily Campus]

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