Tonight’s game has been rained out. It will be made up as part of a day/night doubleheader on Sunday. The first game will start at 1:05 p.m. with the second game beginning at 6:30 p.m.

After enjoying a day off on Thursday, the Boston Red Sox look to thrust themselves into the playoffs as they finish up the regular season on the road for six games. Tonight, they’ll kick it off with the first of three games against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The game will be carried on NESN if you live in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can watch the game on YES. Depending on where you live outside of either market, you may be able to catch the game on 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.

Jon Lester looks to push the Red Sox closer to the playoffs in his 30th start of 2011. In his previous 29 starts, Lester is 15-8 with a 3.15 ERA. He’s made four starts against the Bronx Bombers and is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA. He’s had good success in his career against the Yankees as he is 8-2 with a 3.53 ERA in 16 starts. He’s fared just as well in the Bronx as he is 6-1 with a 2.67 ERA in nine starts.

Freddy Garcia makes 25th start (26th appearance) for the AL East champs this season. In his previous 25 appearances (24 starts), Garcia is 11-8 with a 3.77 ERA. He’s made four appearances (three starts) against the Red Sox this season and is 0-2 with a 6.92 ERA. Garcia is 8-4 with a 4.69 ERA in 20 career appearances (19 starts) against the Red Sox. Two of those starts have come at Yankee Stadium where he is 0-2 with a 10.29 ERA (8 ER/7 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:

88-68		95-61
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Derek Jeter	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Curtis Granderson	CF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Mark Teixeira	1B
4. David Ortiz	DH	4. Robinson Cano	2B
5. Mike Aviles	3B	5. Alex Rodriguez	3B
6. Carl Crawford	LF	6. Nick Swisher	RF
7. Marco Scutaro	SS	7. Andruw Jones	LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. Jesus Montero	DH
9. Josh Reddick	RF	9. Russell Martin	C
Jon Lester	SP	Freddy Garcia	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

An unexpected change in stripes [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

Yankees catcher Russell Martin: ‘I hate the Red Sox’ [Clubhouse Insider]

From NY: Lackey to start Sunday; Tito on job security, Buchholz a maybe for Monday [Clubhouse Insider]

Theo: ‘There’s no disconnect between me and Tito’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Girardi on resting regulars, postseason rotation and Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Theo Epstein on Lackey, Crawford and an opportunity for Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Lester to start tomorrow, Wakefield and Lackey, in some order, on Sunday [Clubhouse Insider]

Epstein: ‘There’s no disconnect’ [CSN New England]

Lackey to pitch Sunday [CSN New England]

Video: Sox-Yanks preview, prediction [ESPN Boston]

Theo backs Tito: ‘No disconnect’ [ESPN Boston]

Francona tabs Lackey for Sunday [ESPN Boston]

Tito dismisses talk about job security [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz zeroes in on playoff (?!) roster spot [ESPN Boston]

New York Yankees faked Carl Crawford interest to cost Boston Red Sox [ESPN New York]

More Red Sox problems: Rain in NYC [Extra Bases]

Theo Epstein: ‘There is no disconnect’ with Terry Francona [Extra Bases]

Pre-game notes from Yankee Stadium [Extra Bases]

Theo Epstein: ‘It’s time to step up and show what we’re made of’ [Extra Bases]

Epstein on team: Red Sox could ‘get dangerous in a hurry’ [Full Count]

Epstein on Francona: ‘There is no disconnect’ [Full Count]

Video: Red Sox’ New Spring Training Home Featuring Brand New Way to Experience Green Monster [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Offense Not the Problem, Though Lack of Clutch Hitting Playing Role in September Slide [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Could Appear in Game in Baltimore, John Lackey Scheduled to Start Sunday Against Yankees [NESN.com]

Russell Martin’s Comments a Welcome Reminder of What Makes Rivalries Great [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox Running Out of Time As They Approach ‘100-Yard Dash’ Toward End of Regular Season [NESN.com]

Theo Epstein, Terry Francona Both Deny Any Reported Issues Between Them [NESN.com]

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

Epstein to reporters: “There’s no disconnect” [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox hurting in more ways than one — why is that? [Projo Sox Blog]

Aviles hitting in the middle of the Red Sox lineup [Projo Sox Blog]

Clay Buchholz could pitch in a game as early as Monday [Projo Sox Blog]

John Lackey to start Sunday for the Red Sox [Projo Sox Blog]

Foreign-born players sometimes surprised by MLB’s unwritten rules [Providence Journal]

Division title is vindication for Yankees’ Cashman [Providence Journal]

After day off to regroup, Sox face AL East champs [RedSox.com]

Buchholz’s next test may come in a game [RedSox.com]

How Adrian Gonzalez has managed to live up to the hype [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

The Cashman-Headwarmer Dialogues: Because Everything Is Always Revealed at the End of the Season [Surviving Grady]

Will Red Sox failure actually feed the hunger? [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

This week:

After a tough home loss last Friday, the UConn Huskies head to Amherst, NY for a non-conference matchup with the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday night at UB Stadium at 6 p.m.

Here are the rosters for the Huskies and the Bulls.

The Line/Prediction:

According to Rivals.com, UConn is favored by nine points. The over/under is 46.

My prediction for the game is UConn 27 Buffalo 24.

Tickets:

According to Ticketmaster.com, there are tickets available for the game.

Getting To The Game:

Here is an up-to-date weather forecast for Amherst, NY. Here is a seating chart for UB Stadium. Here are directions to UB Stadium. And here is a complete gameday guide and a visitors guide which should answer any questions you have if you’re planning on attending the game.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television:

Saturday’s game will be televised by SNY in the Connecticut and Northeast region. Jim Barbar is on play-by-play while John Gregory is on color. It will also be available online at ESPN3.com.

The game will also be replayed on SNY in a condensed mode on the “Husky Power Hour” on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The game will be replayed in its entirity on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 1:00 p.m.

Radio:

For the 20th consecutive season, WTIC 1080-AM in Hartford serves as the flagship station for the UConn Radio Network. WTIC is the state’s only 50,000 watt signal and can be heard in 23 states and parts of Canada.

Veteran UConn announcers Joe D’Ambrosio (play-by-play) and Wayne Norman (color commentary) return to call the action with Kevin Nathan on the sidelines.

The UConn pregame show begins 90 minutes prior to kickoff, while home games, the UConn Tailgate Show will air two and a half hours prior to the game with Arnold Dean. 

UConn football games are also broadcast over the internet at WTIC.com. Here is a  full list of stations on the WTIC/UCONN radio network.

Buffalo Radio:

UB Athletics will begin its fourth year with The Breeze (1230 AM) and WLVL (1340 AM) to air Bulls’ athletic events, including Buffalo’s football and men’s and women’s basketball programs. The deal, which was completed in the Summer of 2008, and renewed in the Summer of 2010, places all of UB’s sports on the same family of locally-owned stations for the first time in its Division I-A era (1999-present)

Long-time and highly-respected Buffalo television reporter and anchor Paul Peck, who had previously been the voice of UB football from 1992-99, returns to call Bulls’ football for the fourth season. Joining Peck in the booth again this season will be Jim Kubiack. In addition, Nick Mendola will take over sideline duty for football games and will team with Scott Wilson to anchor the UB football pre- and post-game shows.

UB football will air on WHTK (1280 AM) in Rochester. In addition, UB’s football games will be available on the web on UB’s athletic website (www.buffalobulls.com) and WECK’s website (www.weck1230.com).

To continue reading the UConn Huskies @ Buffalo Bulls preview, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Last Week:

The Huskies lost 24-20 to the Iowa State Cyclones. Buffalo lost it’s MAC opener 28-25 to the Ball State Cardinals.

History:

Saturday’s game will be the 18th time Buffalo and UConn have met and UConn leads the series by a 14-4 count. Buffalo is a very familiar non-conference foe for the Huskies as the program has ascended to the FBS level.

UConn and Buffalo met in 10 of 11 seasons from 1995-2005. The Huskies have won ten of the last 11 meetings with the Bulls, with the exception being a 37-20 Bull win in Storrs in 2001. Buffalo was the only team to play UConn in all four of its first Division I-A seasons. The Huskies won last year 45-21 at Rentschler Field.

Connections:

• Paul Pasqualoni posted a pair of wins over Buffalo during his tenure as the head coach of Syracuse — 63-7 on Sept. 2, 2000 in Syracuse and Sept. 11, 2004 in Buffalo by a 37-17 count.
• There are six players on the UConn roster from the state of New York (none from the Buffalo area) and no players from Connecticut on the Buffalo roster.

Other UConn News:

Here is video from head coach Paul Pasqualoni’s press conference. If you don’t have the time to watch the video, check out the transcript of Pasqualoni’s press conference as well as quotes from some of the players.

Get to know UConn offensive coordinator George DeLeone.

Here is UConn’s depth chart for the game.

A number of members of the 2011 Huskies were named to preseason “Watch Lists” for 2011. They are:

• Sophomore Tight End Ryan Griffin (Londonberry, N.H.)
  
  • John Mackey Award Watch List
• Senior Kicker Dave Teggart (Northborough, Mass.)
  
  • Lou Groza Collegiate Placekicker Award
• Senior Defensive Tackle Kendall Reyes (Nashua, N.H.)
  
  • Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman in the country
  • Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the best defensive player in the country;
  • Lombardi Award, given to the best offensive or defensive lineman in the country.
• Senior center Moe Petrus (St. Laurent, Que.)
  
  • Outland Trophy
  • Lombardi Award
• Senior offensive tackle Mike Ryan (Tamaqua, Pa.)
  
  • Lombardi Award

Connecticut enters Saturday’s meeting vs. Buffalo with a 16-2 record against opponents from the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since making the move to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2002. The two losses includes a 30-16 defeat at Temple last year — the week before UConn topped Buffalo. Prior to that game, Connecticut’s last loss to a MAC opponent came back on Sept. 28, 2002, when it dropped a 24-21 overtime decision vs. Ball State. Also prior to the Temple game, the Huskies have won each of their last 13 games against MAC foes by an average margin of 17.8 points over that span.

UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni has won more BIG EAST Conference games (league contests only) than any other coach in history. Pasqualoni has 62 league wins from 1991-2004 while Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech is second with 57.

With the Sept. 3 win vs. Fordham, Pasqauloni is now tied for first in league history in overall wins with 108 as Beamer also has 108. After Beamer and Pasqualoni, the distant third is Don Nehlen of West Virginia at 61.

Pasqualoni became the first Husky coach since 1923 to win his UConn coaching debut. The last coach to win a Husky debut was Sumner Dole in 1923.

The Huskies have put together a 21-29 road record since 2002. In non-conference road affairs over that same span, Connecticut has posted a mark of 16-11 and has won eight of its last 12 such games, including 2009 wins over Ohio, Baylor and Notre Dame and 2010 losses to Michigan and Temple.

Connecticut boasts a 41-19 record against non-conference opponents in the regular season since making the move to the FBS in 2002.

The Huskies have won 16 of their last 22 regular season non-league games overall with the only blemishes coming via a one-point loss at Virginia (17-16) in 2007, losses to North Carolina in 2008 and ‘09, Michigan and Temple in ‘10 and Vanderbilt and Iowa State in ‘11.

UConn has posted the following records in non-conference regular season games: 6-6 (2002), 9-3 (2003), 4-1 (2004), 3-1 (2005), 3-2 (2006), 4-1 (2007), 4-1 (2008), 4-1 (2009), 3-2 (2010) and 1-2 (2011).

Here are the categories where UConn is ranked in the top 40 in the 2011 NCAA statistics.

• Rushing Defense – 22nd at 79.67 yards (Fourth in BIG EAST)
• Pass. Eff. Defense – 24th at 104.11 (First in BIG EAST)
• Total Defense – 11th at 256.33 (First in BIG EAST)
• Scoring Defense – 35th at 17.0 (Fourth in BIG EAST)
• Pass Defense – 29th at 176.67 (First in BIG EAST)
• Sacks – 16th at 3.33 (Second in BIG EAST)
• TFL – 4th at 9.67 (Second in BIG EAST)

Individual leaders

• Rushing – Lyle McCombs, 32nd at 101.67 (2nd in BIG EAST)
• Sacks – Sio Moore, t8th at 1.17 (First in BIG EAST)
• Interceptions – B. Jones/J. Johnson, t8th at .67 (tSec. in BIG EAST)
• TFL – Kendall Reyes, T15th at 1.83 (tFirst in BIG EAST)

UConn is 26-16 in games following a loss since Oct. 26, 2002.

Four different Huskies have combined for six interceptions this season.

Notes from this week’s opponent Buffalo:

Here is video from Buffalo head coach Jeff Quinn’s press conference.

Here is a preview of the game from the Buffalo Bulls website.

Branden Oliver is looking to become the first UB running back to rush for 100 yards in four straight games since James Starks during the 2008 season.

Branden Oliver and James Starks are the only two UB running backs in UB’s Division I-A era to have three straight 100-yard games.

The Bulls are looking for their second ever win over a BCS opponent. Buffalo won at Rutgers, 34-11, in 2002.

Senior wideout Ed Young had three touchdown catches against Connecticut at Rentschler Field last season.

Khalil Mack leads the nation in tackles for loss (7.5). He has had at least two tackles for loss in every game.

The Bulls have been in the red zone six times this season and have scored touchdowns on five of the trips. The 83 percent success rate in the red zone far exceeds the Bulls efforts a season ago when they scored 14 touchdowns on 29 trips to the red zone (48%).

Friday UConn Football Links:

Predictions: Big East Week 4 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

What to watch in the Big East: Week 4 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Pasqualoni like his three QBs (and seafood marinara) [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

A Few Words Pre Buffalo From UConn Coach Pasqualoni [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Coach to Cure MD [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Thursday update [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Thursday update [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Pasqualoni Impressed With UConn’s Next Opponent [Hartford Courant]

A Chance for Revenge [The Spectrum]

Loyola’s Floyd Commits to UConn [Patch.com]

Next Week:

The Huskies return to Rentschler Field next Saturday afternoon to host the West Michigan Broncos in their final non-conference game of 2011.

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

The UConn football links can be found in the Friday football links section of the UConn vs Buffalo preview.

UConn Men’s Basketball links

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

Shabazz Napier: Andre Drummond’s a “Good Listener” [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Ray Allen ready to give up season [New Haven Register]

UConn’s Calhoun: College game will benefit from NBA labor strife [Chicago Tribune]

Arizona Wildcats To Face UCONN Huskies In 2012 Carrier Classic [SB Nation Arizona]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Catchings beats out Charles for WNBA MVP honors [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Lynx best Mercury in battle of former Huskies [ESPNW]

Other UConn related links

Courant Application For Huskies Sports Now Available [Hartford Courant]

Stan Simpson: UConn and the Big East [UConn Huskies Basketball]

M. Tennis. Huskies Easily Handle Siena In Dual Match, 6-1 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Jumps Into BIG EAST Action at Cincinnati and Louisville [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Club. Husky Reach Holds Barbeque At Verplanck [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball. Huskies Set To Open Fall Schedule [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Hosts Two BIG EAST Opponents [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Huskies pulling their weight in NCAA [FoxSports.com]

UConn trying to make itself attractive, stable for ACC [CT Post]

Time For BC And UConn To Come Together [Hartford Courant]

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

It’s crunch time folks. Do or die for the Boston Red Sox over the final six games, including this weekend’s three-game set in the Bronx.

Tonight’s opponent, the New York Yankees were no help last night as they were whooped by the Tampa Bay Rays. Fortunately, the Red Sox got some help from the Toronto Blue Jays who beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in extra innings.

That means the Red Sox lead the Rays by two games and the Angels by three games. The magic number for the Red Sox to eliminate the Rays is five and it’s four for the Angels. Obviously, win all six games and the Red Sox are in. Go 5-1 and they’re in. Anything less from that and they’ll need some help.

Hopefully that help comes from the Blue Jays who play the Rays and the Oakland A’s who take on the Angels. After that, the Rays will finish up their season with the Yankees while the Angels end with the Texas Rangers. In case you didn’t know, the Red Sox will be in Baltimore for the final three games of the season against the same Orioles team that just came into the Fens and took three of the four games played.

Right now, the Red Sox need their starting pitching to step up. The aces, Jon Lester and Josh Beckett, have been decent during this skid. The others though, not so bueno. The key for all of them is to get out of the first inning without putting the offense in to too much of a hole. Plus the longer they can go the better, as the bullpen has been severely overused this month and could use the break.

I know we’re all going to be sitting here on pins and needles for the next six days as we wait to see if the Red Sox can make the playoffs. The one thing we all need to remember is the fact that we are in the lead right now. It’s not like we’re out of it yet.

The way some people are talking out there, the Red Sox have already been eliminated and are making plans for the offseason. Sorry to burst your bubble but they aren’t there yet. Personally, I’m hoping that comes in November. But whatever happens, happens.

I know I’ll be supporting this team to the end.

Only one question remains then.

Will you???

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and any news 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

Video: Alec Baldwin Pisses Himself Watching Red Sox-Yankees Game [SOX & Dawgs]

Spoiling for a fight [Boston Globe]

It starts with starters [Boston Globe]

They’re not worthy [Boston Globe]

Utilityman proving useful [Boston Globe]

It’s up to you, New York, New York [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz focused on now [Boston Herald]

Short-armed [Boston Herald]

Chris Capuano’s not coming to pitch in [Boston Herald]

Everything falls apart [Boston Herald]

It all starts on mound [Boston Herald]

Nation STATion: Sox have inherited problems [CSN New England]

Red Sox still have 91.5 percent chance to make playoffs [CSN New England]

Did Ortiz, Papelbon play final game at Fenway? [CSN New England]

Gammons: Francona’s job may be in jeopardy [CSN New England]

No more outside help for Red Sox [CSN New England]

Video: State of the Nation with Gordon Edes [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz wants shot at No. 3 starter spot [ESPN Boston]

Video: Kurkjian thinks Sox will hold on [ESPN Boston]

3-way tie would create logistical headache [ESPN Boston]

Video: PTI’s great collapse debate [ESPN Boston]

Clay Buchholz moving forward after feeling ‘spring training sore’ [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia: Red Sox playing like a ‘[crappy] team’ [Full Count]

‘Hi, my name is Jonathan Papelbon, and I am an adrenaline junkie’ [Full Count]

Will Jackie Bradley Jr. play with Greenville Drive in 2012? [GoUpstate.com]

Video: Red Sox Could Use Another Herb Brooks ‘Miracle’ Speech by Joshua Sacco This Weekend [NESN.com]

Red Sox Fall Flat at Fenway Park in 2011, Despite Traditional Dominance at Home [NESN.com]

Potential Three-Way Tie For American League Wild Card Could Get Messy [NESN.com]

Rain in the Forecast For This Weekend’s Red Sox-Yankees Series [NESN.com]

Heidi Watney Takes In View From New Roof Deck at Jerry Remy’s Across From Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Red Sox Mailbag: Playing the Blame Game, the Alfredo Aceves Dilemma and Daniel Bard as a Starter [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Rotation Uncertain for Remainder of Season While Rays, Angels Have Pitching Set Up for Final Push [NESN.com]

Red Sox had no insurance for their stockpile of starting pitching [Providence Journal]

Three-way wildcard scenario tough to figure out [Providence Journal]

Stunned Red Sox try to regroup on road [RedSox.com]

Red Sox Will Still Make Playoffs, But Clinching to Set Up Rotation Now Top Priority [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  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: Reuters Pictures

Are you wondering if you’re getting the Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees game on Saturday afternoon that will be broadcast by FOX Sports?

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

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees – 87%
ANNOUNCERS: Matt Vasgersian, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Seattle Mariners at Texas Rangers – 12%
ANNOUNCERS: Josh Lewin & Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE: Austin, Dallas, Houston, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Seattle, Tulsa

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

Despite the fact that they lost to the Baltimore Orioles, this time 6-4, the Boston Red Sox were actually able to pick up a ½ game on the Tampa Bay Rays. We do have the New York Yankees to thank for that, who by the way won the AL East crown, because they swept the Rays in a doubleheader.

So now with six games remaining in the regular season, the Red Sox lead the Rays by 2.5 games. And just for good measure, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have thrown their hats in as well and also trail by 2.5 games.

Fun times, folks, fun times. Or are they?

Sure we’re frustrated with the Red Sox now but can you imagine how the players feel. They were actually booed when they left the field on Wednesday night. I know I had a few friends there and I also know they wouldn’t boo them.

Rather than boo them, maybe they should have offered some support for the team as they head out to finish the regular season on the road in New York against the Yankees then in Baltimore against the Orioles. Wouldn’t your energy been better served doing that instead of wasting it with the booing.

I’m sure you’ve invested quite a great deal of time and maybe even some money as well. To me by booing, you’re just throwing it away. If you can afford to do, by all means go ahead. But for the rest of who have little to no money, I know I wouldn’t boo them. That’s not what true fans do.

Sure we’re all entitled to our own opinions. So mine is to stay behind this team to the end whether it be good or bad.

The Red Sox needed a big game from their horse in Josh Beckett on Wednesday night. And if it weren’t for hanging curveball to Mark Reynolds in the 7th inning, we probably would have gotten said big game. But instead, Reynolds took that curveball out of the park for his second home run of the game to knot the game at four.

The Orioles would add two more in the 8th and just like that Beckett’s big game was gone and so was another chance to increase their lead on the Rays.

Right now the magic number for the Red Sox to make the playoffs is five. So their mission over the final six games is simple. Go 5-1 and take matters into their own hands. Of course it would help if the Rays and Angels lost then because that too would reduce the magic number.

The local nine is off on Thursday as they’ll make their way to Big Apple later in the day. Hopefully, someone in the media or even the players on Twitter will tweet some pictures of the Red Sox rookies dressing up because this is the final road trip of the season.

We’ll be back in a short while with the pitching matchups for the weekend in the Bronx. 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

Wild times [Boston Globe]

Mistakes eventually cost Beckett [Boston Globe]

Crawford was a real positive [Boston Globe]

Still a Ray of hope [Boston Herald]

Grappling with slide [Boston Herald]

Jason Varitek refutes Carl Crawford controversy [Boston Herald]

Parting boos only answer [Boston Herald]

Red Sox up in arms over losing [Boston Herald]

Sox lose three of four to Orioles [CSN New England]

Notes: Buchholz has stiffness, could pitch on road [CSN New England]

Beckett can’t right the Sox’ sinking ship [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: O’s 6, Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Video: Silver lining for Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Josh Beckett can’t stop bleeding for fading Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Late-inning woes doom Sox again [Full Count]

David Ortiz is worried about present, not thinking about future [Full Count]

Carl Crawford ‘knows it looks bad now’ but still confident of playoffs [Full Count]

Video: Josh Beckett Says He Got Away With Pitches Early Against Orioles, But Paid for Mistakes Late [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona: ‘We’re Going to Have to Fight for Everything the Rest of the Way Out’ [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett, Alfredo Aceves Deliver Two Bad Pitches That Spell Doom for Red Sox in Painful Loss to Orioles [NESN.com]

Red Sox Confused by Overall Poor Play, Searching in Vain for Answers [NESN.com]

Another game, another late collapse [Providence Journal]

Randolph has walked in Francona’s shoes [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Albers, Atchison are bright spots in ‘pen [Providence Journal]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  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.

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

Jesse Joseph set for return [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Paul Pasqualoni + videos [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Byron Jones: UConn DB A State Treasure [Hartford Courant]

Inconsistent UConn Football Team Looks To Improve Vs. Buffalo [Hartford Courant]

Frustrated Joseph can finally get on the field [Journal Inquirer]

Offensive ineptitude holding back Huskies [SNY.tv]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Husky Run on Oct. 12 [David Borges – New Haven Register]

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

Men’s Basketball Championship Dinner Celebration Tickets Available [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno Auriemma: Guest Analyst For ESPN2 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

First Night Set For Oct. 14 [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

W. Track. Deirdre Mullen To Compete In 2011 Pan American Games [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Only 500 Tickets Remain For Men’s Soccer Saturday Night [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn’s Herbst issues statement on ‘instability,’ doesn’t mention Big East [CT Post]

UConn can’t afford sentiment [Journal Inquirer]

UConn may not be a part of the Big East camaraderie [New Haven Register]

Despite Big East’s call of unity, UConn keeping options open [The Day]

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

After falling last night, the Boston Red Sox look to hold onto their lead in the AL Wild Card tonight in the finale of a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles in the final regular season home game at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The game will be carried on NESN if you live in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can watch the game on MASN. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

The Red Sox will need a big game from Josh Beckett tonight in his 29th start of 2011. In his previous 28 starts, Beckett is 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA. He’s made two starts against the Orioles this season and is 1-0 with a 5.73 ERA (7 ER/11 IP). Beckett’s made 16 career starts against the O’s and is 7-3 with a 3.76 ERA. Five of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-1 with a 5.28 ERA.

Tommy Hunter makes his 10th start in an Orioles uniform and 19th overall of the season. In his previous 18 starts, Hunter is 4-4 with a 4.81 ERA. In his nine starts with the Orioles, he is 3-3 with a 5.31 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox in 2011 and was 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA (6 ER/9.2 IP) in two games last year. He’s made four career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-1 with an 8.31 ERA (16 ER/17.1 IP). In two starts at the Fens, Hunter is 1-1 with an 11.88 ERA (11 ER/8.1 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:

64-90		88-67
1. Robert Andino	2B	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. J.J. Hardy	SS	2. Mike Aviles	3B
3. Nick Markakis	RF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Matt Wieters	C	5. Dustin Pedroia	2B
6. Adam Jones	CF	6. Josh Reddick	RF
7. Mark Reynolds	1B	7. Carl Crawford	LF
8. Chris Davis	3B	8. Marco Scutaro	SS
9. Matt Angle	LF	9. Jason Varitek	3B
Tommy Hunter	SP	Josh Beckett	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

J.D. Drew looks good with Crawford, Lackey here [Boston Herald]

Faith in numbers, but not much else [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

Varitek to Crawford: “I’ve got your back” [Clubhouse Insider]

Can the Red Sox follow in 2000 Yankees’ footsteps? [Clubhouse Insider]

As the rotation turns: Erik Bedard unlikely to start until Tuesday [Clubhouse Insider]

Clay Buchholz may ready to pitch for Red Sox next week [Clubhouse Insider]

Yankee fan happily joins sink-the-Sox bandwagon [CSN New England]

Notes: Buchholz has stiffness, could pitch on road [CSN New England]

Brady, autographs & Chili Davis [ESPN Boston]

Video: Sox collapse by the numbers [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox still unsure who will start Sunday [ESPN Boston]

Francona: Youkilis, Drew to hit Friday [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz feels good after throwing [ESPN Boston]

“Ask the captain” revisited [ESPN Boston]

Is there a point to making the playoffs? [Extra Bases]

Podcast: Red Sox trying to hang on [Extra Bases]

Pre-game notes from Fenway Park [Extra Bases]

Jerry Remy on D&C: Sox will ‘somehow limp in there’ into playoffs [Full Count]

Matt Albers might actually offer a solution to one of the Red Sox’ problems [Full Count]

Peter Gammons on M&M: Carl Crawford ‘tries too hard’ [Full Count]

Carl Crawford explains what happened to his neck [Full Count]

Red Sox notes: Terry Francona says don’t worry, Dustin Pedroia is ‘not being demoted’ [Full Count]

Which Red Sox Player Is Most Deserving of a Gold Glove Award This Season? [NESN.com]

Heidi Watney Says Red Sox Clubhouse ‘Kind of Solemn,’ But Players Still in ‘Decent Spirits’ [NESN.com]

Matt Albers Giving Red Sox Hope He’s Turned Corner, Although Sample Size Small [NESN.com]

Terry Francona, Red Sox Focus on Staying Loose in Clubhouse Despite Team’s Recent Slump [NESN.com]

Video: Jonathan Papelbon Shows Mark of Good Closer While Insisting Tuesday’s Loss Be Placed on Him [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox Catchers Work With Bullpen Coach Gary Tuck As ‘Camp Tuck’ Hones Backstops’ Defense [NESN.com]

A deeper look at the depth of starting pitching [Projo Sox Blog]

Drew, Youkilis to hit in New York [Projo Sox Blog]

Erik Bedard “not a candidate” to start Sunday [Projo Sox Blog]

Pedroia moved to No. 5 spot in batting order [Projo Sox Blog]

Crawford to reporters: “I wouldn’t have been able to see the ball” [Projo Sox Blog]

Albers, Atchison helping out bullpen [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox turn to Beckett to stop free fall [RedSox.com]

Francona not changing his managerial style [RedSox.com]

Like old days, Red Sox manager is in the crosshairs [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

Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon took full blame for Tuesday night’s 7-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Josh Reddick felt really bad about misplaying the fly ball in the 3rd inning that would eventually force starter Erik Bedard from the game. It also turns out that Bedard may have a little something else on his mind before the game.

According to the NY Post, Bedard was served with child support papers before the game by an ex-girlfriend who is the mother of his daughter. And before you jump to conclusions without reading the WHOLE article, Bedard is not a “deadbeat dad”. In fact, according to the same article, Bedard has been paying his child support all along.

Essentially the baby’s mother wants more money since at one point since their original agreement, Bedard has made a little more money in contracts.

So now besides battling injuries to their pitching staff and key players, the Red Sox are also dealing with baby mama drama. I don’t even dare think what’s next.

The one positive about the loss last night for the Red Sox is the fact that the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays. Sure it doesn’t help the Red Sox as far as winning the division goes but do we even care about that anymore as they are six games out with eight to go.

With the team going 5-15 this month, we just want them in the playoffs. Right now the lead over the Rays is still two games in the AL Wild Card and 3.5 over the Los Angeles Angels.

With the Red Sox holding a 1-0 lead, the O’s tied it up in the second when Nick Markakis brought in Robert Andino with a double. Vladimir Guerrero then hit a fly ball to right that Reddick misjudged and ended up going off the webbing of his glove for an error and another O’s run.

This seem to unnerve Bedard as he walked the next two guys to load up the bases. Rather than take Bedard out with Scott Atchison ready to come in, Red Sox skipper Terry Francona took his chances with Bedard but it didn’t work out as Mark Reynolds singled to bring in two more runs that gave the Birds a 4-1 lead.

The Red Sox did battle back in the bottom half of the inning as Adrian Gonzalez hit a two run homer to cut the lead to one. They got two more in the fourth to take a 5-4 lead and let their bullpen keep them in the game until the 8th inning.

After working a 1-2-3 7th inning, Daniel Bard allowed two singles around an Adam Jones strikeout and gave to Paps who was called upon for a five outing save. He struck out Chris Davis for the second out of the inning before Nolan Reimold singled to left to load the bases.

The next batter he faced was Andino and worked the count full before Andino went the other way and cleared the bases with a double to put the O’s out front for good.

I can’t say enough about the job Atchison has done over the past few games as he kept the local nine in the game by allowing three hits with two strikeouts in 2.1 scoreless innings. Even Matt Albers has a solid outing by striking out two in an inning of work.

But given how much the bullpen has been used the past three games, Josh Beckett is probably going to need to go all nine innings tonight. If there’s a pitcher on this staff, he can do it. Making just his second start after the ankle injury could present problems for that but what else can the Red Sox do at this point.

They just need to win games and not worry about whatever anyone else around them in the standings is doing. That and only that, will help them achieve their postseason goal.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and 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

For starters, Red Sox rotation at heart of swoon [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Long third inning does in Bedard [Boston Globe]

In this corner . . . it’s Ric Flair [Boston Globe]

Buchholz takes the next step [Boston Globe]

Holding pattern [Boston Globe]

Asking Sox fans the unthinkable: Root for Yankees? [Boston Globe]

No relief in sight [Boston Herald]

Pedroia, Sox get pumped with Flair for dramatics [Boston Herald]

A money player [Boston Herald]

Tito may Yank Bedard [Boston Herald]

April rain brings pain [Boston Herald]

Papelbon takes the hit [Boston Herald]

Bullpen blows it, Sox lose to O’s, 7-5 [CSN New England]

Ric Flair’s Fenway visit thrills Pedroia, Reddick [CSN New England]

Pitching fails Sox from start to finish [CSN New England]

Francona takes high road on Schilling comments [CSN New England]

Notes: Buchholz throws a simulated inning Tuesday [CSN New England]

Papelbon takes ‘full responsibility’ for loss [ESPN Boston]

Schilling: ‘Don’t know that it’s there’ [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: After Bedard’s poor start, Sox bullpen blows it at the end [Full Count]

No one feels worse about Tuesday than Josh Reddick [Full Count]

Video: Ric Flair, Dustin Pedroia Exchange ‘Woos’ in Red Sox Clubhouse Upon Meeting [NESN.com]

Video: Theo Epstein Pleased With Daniel Bard’s Ability to Fix Issues in One Bullpen Session, But Has Come to Expect Right-Hander’s Confidence [NESN.com]

Video: Ric Flair Emphatically Introduces Red Sox Lineup Prior to Game Against Orioles, Concludes With Trio of Vintage ‘Woos’ [NESN.com]

Video: Erik Bedard Says Knee, Lat Felt Good in Start Against Orioles, But Becomes Latest Red Sox Pitcher to Turn in Short Outing [NESN.com]

Jonathan Papelbon Steps Up, Takes Blame for Latest Red Sox Loss [NESN.com]

Josh Reddick’s Miscue Prolongs Nightmare Inning for Erik Bedard, Forces Another Early Dip Into Red Sox Bullpen [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Loses Gamble After Going for Early Knockout Blow With Back End of Bullpen [NESN.com]

Bard, Papelbon combine to blow one-run lead [Providence Journal]

Buchholz takes another step on the road back [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Wrestler’s visit may add some flair to playoff push [Providence Journal]

Francona body slams talk-show fodder [RedSox.com]

Lackey or Bedard to face Yankees in finale [RedSox.com]

The last Red Sox standing finally fell [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSNNE,  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.

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

Big East in trouble, but Huskies have big game at Buffalo [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Buffalo week quotes: Jesse Joseph [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Buffalo week: Mike Nebrich [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Buffalo week; D.J. Shoemate [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Buffalo week [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Tuesday press conference [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Huskies prep for Buffalo trip, try to focus on football [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Video View: Paul Pasqualoni Tuesday In Storrs [Shawn Courchesne – Hartford Courant]

Time For UConn’s Offense To Step Up [Hartford Courant]

Paul Pasqualoni: Loyalty To Conference, Region Not What It Used To Be [Hartford Courant]

UConn gets key defensive end back for Buffalo game [Norwich Bulletin]

Huskies shuffle O-line [The Day]

All part of his constitution [The Day]

Joseph set to return to UConn defensive line [The Hour]

Pasqualoni discusses shuffling of Big East, quarterbacks [The Daily Campus]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Swofford, Dixon on Realignment [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Former Big East Commish Mike Tranghese Doubts Boeheim, Calhoun Will Coach in ACC [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Shabazz Napier ready to make his point [New Haven Register]

Jesse Joseph ready to return [New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno’s take on conference chaos [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn will be represented in WNBA championship series [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

Musical chairs [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Hold your horses [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

UConn president talks about conference realignment [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

BIG EAST Conference Statement Following Tuesday Meeting In New York [BigEast.org]

UConn president Herbst on expansion: Huskies ‘sought after’ [CT Post]

Big East Vows To Rejuvenate Conference [Hartford Courant]

UConn tries to control its fate as Big East crumbles [New Haven Register]

Conference shakeup subject of meeting [Norwich Bulletin]

Forget loyalty, conference realignment is about every man for himself [The Day]

M. Golf. Men’s Golf Places Ninth At Adams Cup of Newport [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Men’s Hockey Picked Fifth In AHA Preseason Poll [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Tennis. Men’s Tennis Competes At Brown Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. UConn Slated Fifth in Hockey East Preseason Poll [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Alvarez and Cascio Lead No. 2 Huskies Past No. 10 BC, 2-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

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