After splitting the day/night doubleheader on Monday, the Boston Red Sox look to continue their playoff push in game three of a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles tonight at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch for game two of the day/night doubleheader 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. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the MLB Network is scheduled to have coverage of the game as well. 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 makes his his seventh start in a Red Sox uniform (23rd overall) since September 3rd after being sideline with a lat and knee issue. In his previous 22 starts, Bedard is 5-9 with a 3.50 ERA. In his six starts with the Red Sox, he is 1-2 with a 3.66 ERA. He’s made one start against his former club this season and that came as a member of the Seattle Mariners. In that start back on May 31st, he picked up a no decision after allowing two earned runs in 6.1 innings of work. He’s made three career starts against the Orioles and is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA (5 ER/16.2 IP).

Rick VandenHurk looks to try and help the Orioles play spoiler again in his second start (fourth appearance) of the season. In his previous three appearances (one start), VandenHurk has no record with a 6.00 ERA (4 ER/6 IP). He’s made two career appearances against the Red Sox with both coming in 2010. In those appearances, he has no record with a 4.50 ERA (1 ER/2 IP). He struck out two in a perfect inning of work in his only appearance at Fenway Park.

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:

63-90		88-66
1. Robert Andino	2B	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. J.J. Hardy	SS	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Nick Markakis	RF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Matt Wieters	C	5. Josh Reddick	RF
6. Adam Jones	CF	6. Carl Crawford	LF
7. Mark Reynolds	1B	7. Marco Scutaro	SS
8. Chris Davis	3B	8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
9. Nolan Reimold	LF	9. Mike Aviles	3B
Rick VandenHurk	SP	Erik Bedard	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

As season nears end, Red Sox pitching remains an exercise in the unknown [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Terry Francona “doesn’t give a (expletive)” about Curt Schilling’s prediction [Clubhouse Insider]

Monday’s win doesn’t hide Red Sox warts [CSN New England]

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

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

Alfredo Aceves, Clay Buchholz Could Solve Red Sox’ Current Rotation Problems [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Schill doesn’t think Sox will make playoffs [ESPN Boston]

Why Kyle Weiland was best internal option [ESPN Boston]

Tito lays out rotation through Monday [ESPN Boston]

Ells inside-parker, Jackson slam 1st in same inning in 61 years [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz fares well in simulated game [ESPN Boston]

Ex-mates not fazed by Schilling’s opinion [ESPN Boston]

Some random thoughts on the Red Sox [Extra Bases]

Sim game goes well for Buchholz [Extra Bases]

Meeting of titans at Fenway Park: Ric Flair and Dustin Pedroia [Extra Bases]

Blame Theo for reeling BoSox’s bare staff [FoxSports.com]

Buster Olney on M&M: Some Red Sox players are out of shape [Full Count]

Rooting For Yankees? Most Red Sox Can’t Bear To Do It No Matter What [Hartford Courant]

Justin Verlander’s Dominance Will Spoil Jacoby Ellsbury’s Big Year, Steal Spotlight No Matter Who Wins MVP [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Throws Simulated Game, Stays on Course for Possible Return [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis Questionable to Return During Regular Season, Adrian Gonzalez Forced to Play Through Calf Pain [NESN.com]

Erik Bedard May Start Sunday in New York, Pushing John Lackey Back a Day [NESN.com]

Ric Flair’s Surprise Visit Energizes Red Sox Clubhouse [NESN.com]

Carl Crawford Can Make Up for Lackluster Season by Finally Breaking Through for Red Sox in Final Week [NESN.com]

Ted Williams Diligently Studied Art of Hitting, Considered Barry Bonds to Have One of Greatest Swings in Baseball History [NESN.com]

Showalter was wrong [Projo Sox Blog]

Lackey, Matusz making the wrong kind of history [Projo Sox Blog]

Wheeler still unavailable [Projo Sox Blog]

Crawford back in lineup [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester, Wakefield to start in New York [Projo Sox Blog]

Wrestling legend Flair visits Sox [Projo Sox Blog]

Bedard aims to pad Sox’s Wild Card advantage [RedSox.com]

Destiny in own hands, Red Sox see opportunity [RedSox.com]

Papelbon awed, motivated by Rivera [RedSox.com]

As pitching goes, so go the Red Sox [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

If you were a fan of the Boston Red Sox on Monday, your emotions were put on the roller coaster ride from hell. You went from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs back to the lows and finally finished up on a high note.

And by ending on a high note, i’m guessing you’re a little less stressed out right now.

The Red Sox got some bad pitching from Kyle Weiland and were also the victims of an awful call in the game one 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Then we had to endure yet another craptastic start from John Lackey in game two. Fortunately for Lackey and the Red Sox, the offense decided they’d had enough with his terrible pitching and put up 18 runs in the 18-9 win.

With the Tampa Bay Rays off on Monday, the Red Sox didn’t gain any ground on them nor did they lose any with the split. So the lead over the Rays remains at two games with eight games to go. And with the New York Yankees winning on Monday, the Red Sox ended up losing a total of a half game so they are five back there.

The Yankees and Rays both have ten games left with seven against each other. Obviously, you want the Red Sox to win the division but that would mean they’d have to win and hope the Rays win. But if the Red Sox lose, then you want the Rays to lose. But right now the only thing that matters is the Red Sox make the playoffs.

Speaking of playoffs, the odds are that after his start, Weiland won’t be part of the postseason starting rotation. I think he might make the bullpen because he’s been getting off to fast starts. It’s usually the second time through the lineup that’s been getting him lately.

Besides Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, there’s no clear cut third starter yet.

Lackey don’t deserve to be there with his 6.49 ERA. Erik Bedard will make his first start in a few weeks since being sidelined with a lat pull and knee issues.

This whole situation isn’t a good thing as we know pitching rules in October. And right now we don’t have it after Beckett and Lester. And the offense that scored 18 runs in the second game was doing it against Orioles pitching, which isn’t up to the caliber of the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. Those would be the teams the Red Sox would face in the ALDS should they get there (I think they make it by the way. I’m not one of the negative nancies).

But for the now, the business at hand is winning games. Let’s hope that continues tonight against the Orioles.

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

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Hits Inside The Park Home Run [SOX & Dawgs]

Framework got them settled [Boston Globe]

Aceves’s work is drawing raves [Boston Globe]

Fans stay confident in crisis [Boston Globe]

Crawford sits with a stiff neck [Boston Globe]

His pitchers decision: They shouldn’t win MVP award [Boston Globe]

Hitting back [Boston Globe]

Split decision [Boston Herald]

Randolph all-too familiar with September swoons [Boston Herald]

Home run, but no trot [Boston Herald]

Papi: Aceves deserves starting nod [Boston Herald]

Sox flush with reality [Boston Herald]

Sox use big bats to beat O’s, 18-9 [CSN New England]

Sox happy to earn much needed win [CSN New England]

The Long Walk: Iglesias journey from Cuba to the Sox [CSN New England]

Notes: Lackey has no answers for struggles [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 18, Orioles 9 [ESPN Boston]

BBTN: Sox aren’t panicking [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox fight back with a rout of Orioles [Full Count]

Jacoby Ellsbury electrifies, Conor Jackson amplifies and Red Sox offense explodes [Full Count]

Despite Red Sox win, Lackey at a loss [Full Count]

Video: Jerry Remy Flies Into Another Language During Opening of NESN’s Red Sox-Orioles Telecast [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Says Red Sox Control Own Destiny, Thinks 18-Run Offensive Attack Could Send Them in Right Direction [NESN.com]

Red Sox Offense Comes Up Huge in Nightcap, Rescues Club From Another Pitching Disaster [NESN.com]

Video: John Lackey Happy Red Sox Won Second Game of Doubleheader With Orioles, But Frustrated With Way He Pitched [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury, Conor Jackson Team Up to Make Red Sox History [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Insists on Giving Praise to Scott Atchison After Clutch Relief Performance [NESN.com]

Barrage in nightcap salvages split [Providence Journal]

Ortiz: Why not start Aceves? [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Crawford’s absence felt [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.

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

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

Big East news and notes [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

In review: Iowa State [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Back to football, then back to expansion [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Big East notes: Where do they go from here? [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Paul Pasqualoni: Conference options have to be discussed quickly [CT Post]

Paul Pasqualoni says rivalry with Syracuse should be ‘big factor’ in school’s decision [New Haven Register]

Massachusetts Native and Former UConn Star Jordan Todman Has Unsuccessful Weekend in New England Homecoming [NESN.com]

UConn Move to ACC Would Preserve Storied Rivalry With Syracuse, Huskies Coach Paul Pasqualoni Says [NESN.com]

Cyclone of Reaction [The Daily Campus]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Watch Andre Drummond, Shabazz Napier on UCTV [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun: The Old Big East is Gone, It’s Time to Move on [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun on expansion talk: ‘We’ve got to go some place’ [CT Post]

Jim Calhoun says he wants Huskies in the nation’s best basketball conference [Hartford Courant]

Calhoun: UConn should be in the top conference [The Hour]

Calhoun: ‘UConn needs to take care of UConn’ [CBSSports.com]

Jim Calhoun thinks UConn should own it [Eamonn Brennan – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma and Five Former Huskies Head to Europe With Team USA [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

The shuffle begins [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

UConn could be ACC-bound [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Source: UConn Has Serious Interest In Joining The ACC [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Boeheim thinks UConn and possibly Rutgers will follow Syracuse to ACC [Birmingham News]

Sources: ‘Better than average chance’ UConn will join ACC [CT Post]

Big East, Big 12 talking possible merger, sources say [ESPN Boston]

ACC Would Be UConn’s Best Bet [Hartford Courant]

UConn: ACC, Big Ten, Or Merger With Big 12? [Hartford Courant]

W. Volleyball. Behind The Block – #4 [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. No. 2 Huskies Ready For Ranked Showdown At No. 18 Boston College [UConnHuskies.com]

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

After falling in game one this afternoon, the Boston Red Sox desperately need a win in game two of the doubleheader tonight against the Baltimore Orioles.

Today’s first pitch for game two of the day/night doubleheader 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. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the MLB Network is scheduled to have coverage of the game as well. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

John Lackey looks to be the savior of the day for the Red Sox as he makes his 27th and probably most important start of 2011. In his previous 26 starts, Lackey is 12-12 with a 6.19 ERA. His only start of the season against the O’s came back on July 9th when he picked up the win after throwing 6.2 scoreless innings. He’s made 18 career starts against the Orioles and is 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA. He’s made four of those starts at the Fens where he is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA.

Brian Matusz looks to add to the misery of the Red Sox in his 11th start of 2011. In his previous 10 starts, Matusz is 1-7 with a 9.84 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox in 2011 and was 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA in five starts back in 2010. Those five starts also represent his career mark against the Red Sox. Three of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA (4 ER/18 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:

63-89		87-66
1. Matt Angle	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. J.J. Hardy	SS	2. Marco Scutaro	SS
3. Nick Markakis	RF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH	4. Dustin Pedroia	2B
5. Chris Davis	C	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Robert Andino	3B	6. Jed Lowrie	3B
7. Nolan Reimold	LF	7. Conor Jackson	LF
8. Ryan Adams	2B	8. Jason Varitek	C
9. Craig Tatum	C	9. Darnell McDonald	RF
Brian Matusz	SP	John Lackey	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

Johnson on foul call: ‘I don’t get that one’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sox stars must swing into action [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

And the slide continues: Orioles 6, Red Sox 5 [Clubhouse Insider]

‘Nothing-to-lose’ Orioles can’t be taken lightly by Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Ortiz wants Aceves in the rotation [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox trying to keep their cool despite their tailspin [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox drop Game 1 to Orioles, 6-5 [CSN New England]

Controversial call proves crucial in Sox loss [CSN New England]

Sox’ starting woes continue in Game 1 defeat [CSN New England]

Ortiz calls for Aceves in the starting role [CSN New England]

Weiland can’t buck the recent starting pitching trend [CSN New England]

Notes: Crawford scratched from Game 1 [CSN New England]

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

Ortiz: Aceves should be starting [ESPN Boston]

Ask Nick: Would Angels want Crawford? [Extra Bases]

Ortiz: Make Aceves a starter [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox ship keeps sinking in Game 1 loss to O’s [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia: ‘Season isn’t over because an umpire missed a call’ [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia reminds everyone Red Sox still have the wild-card lead [Full Count]

Rooting for Yankees Painful, But Part of Pessimistic Red Sox Fans’ ‘Only Hope’ for Team to Make Playoffs [NESN.com]

David Ortiz, Terry Francona Upset Over Blown Call That Ended Red Sox Rally in Loss to Orioles [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Wants Alfredo Aceves to Start, Says Red Sox Need Someone to Go Six or Seven Good Innings [NESN.com]

Kyle Weiland Frustrated by Inability to Get Deep Into Critical Starts After Another Brief Outing [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Has Seen Things Go ‘From Bad to Worse,’ But Says Red Sox Will Keep Competing [NESN.com]

Nuggetpalooza: A few more depressing Sox stats [Nuggetpalooza]

Disputed call mars Game 1 loss [Projo Sox Blog]

Weiland not happy with outing in first game of doubleheader [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox frustrated by missed call [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox’s lead in Wild Card trimmed again [RedSox.com]

Wheeler dealing with forearm stiffness [RedSox.com]

Drew to meet with Red Sox’s medical staff [RedSox.com]

Red Sox look forward to getting Lowrie back [RedSox.com]

Crawford scratched from Game 1 with stiff neck [RedSox.com]

Papi: Aceves should be in rotation, not ‘pen [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

UConn Huskies head coach Paul Pasqualoni has released his depth chart for Saturday night’s game against the Buffalo Bulls and there are some changes from last week’s against Iowa State. Most of it is shuffling of positions along the offensive line.

The odd man out of the changes along offensive front is LG Gary Bardzak, who is listed now as the backup to Moe Petrus at center. Jimmy Bennett was the backup at left tackle last week and is now the starter. Kevin Friend moves from right tackle to left guard with Mike Ryan going from left tackle to right tackle.

It does look as though DE Jesse Joseph could return to the team after a knee injury as he is listed in an “OR” situation there with Teddy Jennings who has fulled in admirably.

True freshman Deshonn Foxx is now listed alongside Nick Williams at kick returner. Foxx replaces Byron Jones on the depth chart there. Williams is now listed as the starter at punt returner with Taylor Mack backing him up. Last week’s depth chart had it the other way around.

Of course, there’s still no change at quarterback as Scott McCummings, Johnny McEntee and Michael Nebrich are all listed in an “OR” situation. Honestly, one of these guys need to step up this week otherwise it’s going to be a long season behind center for the Huskies.

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: 5 Blidi Wreh-Wilson (RJr., 6-0, 192)
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 as well.

The Boston Red Sox find themselves in quite a predicament after losing 3-of-4 to the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. Now they’ll host the Baltimore Orioles for four games in three days beginning this afternoon with the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

Today’s first pitch for game one of the day/night doubleheader is scheduled for 1:05 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 inconsistent Kyle Weiland will get the ball in today’s opener as he make his fifth start (sixth appearance) of 2011. In his previous five appearances (four starts), Weiland is 0-2 with a 7.58 ERA. Two of his four career starts have come against the Orioles. In those two starts, he is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA (9 ER/10 IP). His only start at the Fens against the Orioles was his MLB debut back on July 10th. In that start, he allowed six runs in four innings of work before being ejected from the game.

Jeremy Guthrie looks to help the Orioles play spoiler in his 31st start (33rd appearance) of 2011. In his previous 32 appearances (30 starts), Guthrie is 8-17 with a 4.22 ERA. He’s made three appearances (two starts) against the Red Sox this season and is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA (3 ER/16.1 IP). Overall in his career, he’s made 18 appearances (16 starts) against the Red Sox and is 2-8 with a 4.41 ERA. He hasn’t had much luck at the Fens in eight appearances (seven starts) as he is 0-4 with a 5.86 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 this afternoon’s lineups:

62-89		87-65
1. Matt Angle	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. J.J. Hardy	SS	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Nick Markakis	RF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero	DH	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Matt Wieters	C	5. Josh Reddick	RF
6. Chris Davis	1B	6. Marco Scutaro	SS
7. Robert Andino	2B	7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
8. Nolan Reimold	LF	8. Mike Aviles	3B
9. Josh Bell	3B	9. Darnell McDonald	RF
Jeremy Guthrie	SP	Kyle Weiland	SP

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

Notes: Carl Crawford was in the original lineup but was scratched with a stiff neck. He was replaced by McDonald.

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

Tito, Theo deserve some blame for collapse [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Good, bad and ugly of Sox slump [CSN New England]

Where is your Red Sox panic meter? [ESPN Boston]

Crucial doubleheader at Fenway today [ESPN Boston]

Pregame notes from Fenway [Extra Bases]

For Which Red Sox Player Is It Most Important to Get Hot Down the Stretch and Into Playoffs? [NESN.com]

Boston Red Sox Amass Over 3 Million Facebook Fans [NESN.com]

Orioles Manager Buck Showalter Likes Red Sox’ Chances to Survive, Make Postseason [NESN.com]

Ryan Lavarnway’s Revamped Offseason Workouts, Positive Outlook Turning Young Catcher Into Feared Slugger [NESN.com]

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

If they can’t beat these guys . . . [Projo Sox Blog]

Weiland, Lackey start key twin bill vs. Orioles [RedSox.com]

A pennant race primer: What the Red Sox are up against [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Thank goodness for the Orioles? [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Boston Kids Finally Feel Heartbreak [Wall Street Journal]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, Reuters Pictures

The Boston Red Sox entered the month of September with 1.5 game over the New York Yankees for the lead in the AL East. At that time, they had a nine-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

But a 4-13 record in September with six of those losses against the Rays, including Sunday’s 8-5 loss, the Red Sox now find themselves in a race for the AL Wild Card. They currently hold a two-game lead over the Rays there and are four games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Red Sox find themselves 4.5 games out in the AL East behind the Yankees. Fortunately for the Red Sox, the Yankees and Rays will meet seven more times this year. So with them doing battle, the plan should be clear for the Red Sox. Keep winning and they’re in. They can’t worry about what those two teams are going to do each other, they can only control what’s in front of them.

Well what’s in front of them is a day/night doubleheader today, followed by two more games with the Baltimore Orioles, the last place team in the AL East. Then they head to New York for three games with the Yanks. They’ll end their season with three games in Baltimore.

Now you know the Orioles would love nothing else than to help end the season for the Red Sox by keeping them out of the playoffs. We know there’s tension between this team stemming from the David Ortiz–Kevin Gregg incident.

If you take into account that the Red Sox are 8-3 against the Orioles this season and the fact they play seven more times, you would have to think the Red Sox would go 5-2. Like I said before, it helps the Rays and Yanks play each other the same amount of times, but going 7-0 would be much better at this point for the Red Sox.

Is is going to be easy?

No. Should it be? Yes. But because of the injuries the Red Sox are suffering right now, the task is all that much harder.

Kevin Youkilis is out. Erik Bedard has been out but will return this series. Obviously you’re not sure what he’ll be able to do. Josh Beckett looked to be fine. It’s the end of the season so everyone’s got a few bumps, dings and bruises.

But right now, it takes the heart of a champion to persevere what the Red Sox are going through with this slide. And 10 days, we’ll know if the Red Sox do indeed have the hearts of champions and find themselves as one of the four teams from the American League who will battle for the 2011 World Series.

We’ll be back in a while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links below by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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Crawford diary: ‘Sorry for the year I’ve had’ [Carl Crawford – ESPN Boston]

Cutdown day: Sox’ wild-card lead now just 2 [Boston Globe]

Weiland helps fill a twinbill [Boston Globe]

Sitting him vs. Price costly? [Boston Globe]

Hard to keep faith [Boston Herald]

Crawford plays left out for finale [Boston Herald]

No getting a handle on Wake’s stuff [Boston Herald]

Tossin’ down the drain [Boston Herald]

Sox WC lead cut to two after loss [CSN New England]

MVP candidates leave Sox wanting more [CSN New England]

Pedroia insists: ‘We’re happy as expletive’ [CSN New England]

Notes: Red Sox plan to throw Bedard Tuesday [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Rays 8, Sox 5 [ESPN Boston]

Struggling Boston Red Sox try to leave Tampa Bay Rays behind [ESPN Boston]

Closing time: Red Sox miscues lead to Rays win in series finale [Full Count]

Red Sox trying to put struggles behind them [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Admits Red Sox Have Played Inconsistent Baseball, But Thinks Recent Struggles Could Make Team Stronger [NESN.com]

Video: Tim Wakefield Calls Red Sox’ Recent Skid ‘Frustrating,’ Says Team Just Needs to ‘Play Better Baseball’ [NESN.com]

It’s a comedy of errors and passed balls [Providence Journal]

Confident Rays look like the superior team [Providence Journal]

Red Sox journal: Saltalamacchia can’t catch a break [Providence Journal]

Despite rough month, Red Sox stay confident [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 the to St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune websites.

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

Photo credits: 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 Power Rankings [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Remaining schools with wandering eyes? [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

It’s All About Football [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Report Card: Iowa State [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

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

Missed opportunities plague Huskies in loss [The Daily Campus]

Loyola’s Jordan Floyd talks UConn commitment [Baltimore Sun]

Other UConn related links

Next step is pivotal for UConn [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Is BIG EAST on life support on the day Dave Gavitt passes away? [John Nash – The Hour]

With Syracuse And Pitt Gone, What Lies Ahead For UConn? [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Source: UConn eyes ACC move [ESPN.com]

W. Soccer. Huskies Drop Overtime Battle To St. John’s, 1-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Silverman Scores But No. 4 Huskies Fall, 3-1, to No. 8 Boston College [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Tennis. Huskies Compete at Quinnipiac Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

At major crossroads, UConn needs to push hard for spot in ACC [CT Post]

Syracuse and Pitt bolt Big East; What’s next for UConn? [CT Post]

Big East Departures Leave UConn In Shifting Landscape [Hartford Courant]

Syracuse, Pitt leave for ACC; UConn could follow [New Haven Register]

UConn official: Iowa State move to Big East would be no surprise [Des Moines Register]

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

Just when the confidence of Red Sox Nation was back at a comfortable level, it went right back down after the Boston Red Sox lost 4-3 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday at Historic Fenway Park.

Now the lead in the AL Wild Card is back down to three games over the Rays. The Los Angeles Angels lost so they remain five games back. And with the New York Yankees winning, their lead is 4.5 games over the local nine for the division title.

Once again, it was a bad 1st inning from the starting pitcher. This time around it was Jon Lester. He has been the same Lester we’ve seen in the past in his last few starts. He was partially done in by tight strike zone but also lacked some fastball command early on.

He left a fastball out over the plate to Ben Zobrist who hit a carbon copy of Evan Longoria‘s home run on Friday night, sans the review. His own wildness cost him in the 3rd inning when his wild pitch allowed Desmond Jennings to score from third base.

In his two starts against the Red Sox this season, Jeff Niemann had allowed a grand total of five hits. They did manage four of them this time around.

Although it did take three innings to get them when former Ray, now Sox leftfielder Carl Crawford led off the bottom of the 3rd with a single. Mike Aviles brought him in with a double. After a Marco Scutaro sacrifice bunt, Jacoby Ellsbury cut the lead to 3-2 with a sacrifice fly.

Longoria added the fourth run of the day for the Rays in the 5th. Unfortunately for the Red Sox, they would only manage to get one run back.

That run came in the 7th when Ellsbury singled in Crawford off Rays rookie phenom Matt Moore. But with Scutaro on third, Moore struck out Dustin Pedroia. They wouldn’t mount a threat in the 8th and 9th putting themselves back in the predicament they had before the start of Friday’s game.

Now that the pressure of getting the 200th win is off his back, there will be the same if not more pressure for Tim Wakefield to pitch well and help his team to a win. That’s because a four-game lead in the wild card standings sounds a heck of a lot better than a two-gamer.

We’ll be back in a while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links below 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

Stinging loss [Boston Globe]

Progress for Buchholz [Boston Globe]

Gonzalez preaches patience [Boston Globe]

Jenks hopes to return in spring [Boston Globe]

Rays pitching too much [Boston Herald]

Running on empty mind [Boston Herald]

Amid painful year, Jenks tries to keep healthy outlook [Boston Herald]

Moore bad news [Boston Herald]

Time not on Clay’s side [Boston Herald]

Rays top Sox, trail Wild Card by three [CSN New England]

Papelbon makes history in closer’s role [CSN New England]

Jenks looking for a bit of luck [CSN New England]

Early trouble complicates things for Lester [CSN New England]

Gonzalez declines comment on right shoulder fatigue [CSN New England]

Notes: Rays capitalize on Red Sox’ mistakes [CSN New England]

Jenks: ‘Been through the absolute wringer’ [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Rays 4, Red Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

Sox feeling the heat [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox bats stifled by Tampa Bay pitching [Full Count]

With Matt Moore, the merrier for the Rays [Full Count]

Rock n’ Roll with Joe Maddon: The Rays are following his lead [Full Count]

Red Sox Showing Signs of Pressure by Taking Unneccessary Risks [NESN.com]

Tampa Bay Rays Have Golden Opportunity to Accomplish Weekend Goal After Downing Red Sox 4-3 [NESN.com]

Hottovy reflects on “incredible” year [Projo Sox Blog]

Tampa turns up the heat again [Providence Journal]

Aviles thrust into important role [Providence Journal]

Red Sox journal: Buchholz takes another step on road to recovery [Providence Journal]

Monday start for Bedard not ruled out [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 the to St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune websites.

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

Photo credit: Getty Images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as 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

Pasqualoni: Too many mistakes against Iowa State [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

A Few Words Post Iowa State From Coach Paul Pasqualoni [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Saturday day after [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

UConn-Iowa State: The day after…No QB changes yet [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Connecticut NFL profile: Tyvon Branch [CT Post]

Pasqualoni needs to pick a QB and stick with him [CT Post]

Quarterbacks Missing Too Many Targets [Hartford Courant]

Iowa State Mascot Suffers Broken Arm At UConn Game Friday; Police Find No Foul Play [Hartford Courant]

UConn laments missed chances against Iowa State [Norwich Bulletin]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Hall of Famer Dave Gavitt, Founder of BIG EAST Conference, Dies at 73 [UConnHuskies.com]

Jim Calhoun Statement On The Passing of Dave Gavitt [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno Auriemma On The Passing Of Dave Gavitt [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Auriemma all talk, no action on bringing UConn to Bridgeport [CT Post]

Geno Auriemma wants to play games in Fairfield County [New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

M. Cross Country. Men’s Cross Country Captures First Place At UMass Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Blankmeyer and Hunnable Score Two Each as No. 4 Field Hockey Downs Villanova, 6-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Splits Final Two Games at Hokie Classic [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn Baseball Loses Players But Not Confidence [Hartford Courant]

Hall of Famer Dave Gavitt dies at 73 [CT Post]

UConn has no plans to leave Big East, with news of Syracuse, Pittsburgh planning exit [CT Post]

Pittsburgh, Syracuse May Be Leaving Big East For ACC [Hartford Courant]

Defections of Syracuse, Pitt would leave Big East scrambling [New Haven Register]

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