After splitting a two-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Boston Red Sox will host the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series that could very well determine which team will make the playoffs. They’ll kick off the four-game set with game one tonight at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Rays television market, you can catch the game on Sun Sports. Depending on where you live, you might 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.

Kyle Weiland goes in search of his first MLB win in his fourth start (fifth appearance) of 2011 for the Red Sox. In his previous four appearances (three starts), Weiland is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. His only career start against the Rays came his last time out on September 10th at the Trop. In that start, he picked up a no decision after allowing three runs in four innings of work.

Rookie Jeremy Hellickson looks to bolster his AL Rookie of the Year candidacy in his 27th start of 2011. In his previous 26 starts, Hellickson is 12-10 with a 2.96 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox this season and is 1-1 with a 3.93 ERA. Overall in his career, he’s made four appearances (three starts) against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 4.95 ERA. He’s made two appearances (one start) at the Fens and is 1-0 with a 6.93 ERA (5 ER/7 IP). He is the only rookie starter to beat the Red Sox this season at the Fens.

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:

82-66		86-62
1. Desmond Jennings	LF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. B.J. Upton	CF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Evan Longoria	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Ben Zobrist	2B	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Johnny Damon	DH	5. Kevin Youkilis	3B
6. Matthew Joyce	RF	6. Josh Reddick	RF
7. Casey Kotchman	1B	7. Carl Crawford	LF
8. John Jaso	C	8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
9. Reid Brignac	SS	9. Marco Scutaro	SS
Jeremy Hellickson	SP	Kyle Weiland	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

Kalish had neck surgery Wednesday [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

A season only Jimy Williams could love [Chad Finn’s Touching All the Bases]

Previewing the Red Sox-Rays series with Lauber, Silverman [Clubhouse Insider]

Johnny Damon on Red Sox-Rays: ‘We know what’s at stake’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Francona: Red Sox can’t win without Daniel Bard [Clubhouse Insider]

Nation STATion: Bard has lost his way [CSN New England]

Bard’s slump aside, Sox need Papelbon [CSN New England]

Francona channels his inner Jim Mora [CSN New England]

Notes: Ortiz, Gonzalez back in Red Sox lineup [CSN New England]

Video: State of the Nation with Joey Mac [ESPN Boston]

A closer look at Red Sox-Rays [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz feels good after throwing [ESPN Boston]

Gonzalez, Ortiz feel ‘good enough to play’ [ESPN Boston]

Sox turn to ex-pitching coach to help Bard [ESPN Boston]

Video: Nick Cafardo on Red Sox-Blue Jays [Extra Bases]

Red Sox wives hit the runway for charity [Extra Bases]

Wakefield 200-win hats now available [Extra Bases]

Red Sox not taking advantage of home games [Extra Bases]

Pregame notes from Fenway Park [Extra Bases]

Jerry Remy on D&C: ‘A split would be fine’ this weekend [Full Count]

How Jason Varitek has captained the Red Sox through stormy waters before [Full Count]

Randy Williams to play for Team USA in 2011 World Cup/Pan Am Games [MLB.com]

How Many Games Will The Red Sox Win During Their Four-Game Series With the Rays? [NESN.com]

Miguel Cabrera Worthy of AL MVP Consideration As Much As Any Red Sox, Yankees [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ 2004 Comeback Over Yankees Remains Among Most Memorable Moments for Team Historian Dick Bresciani [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Scheduled for ‘Full-Fledged’ Bullpen Session Saturday, Erik Bedard Remains ‘A Ways Away’ [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Energized for Tampa Bay Series, Hopes It Brings Out the Best in Red Sox [NESN.com]

Video: Josh Beckett Not Expected to Have Any Real Limitations Upon Returning to Red Sox Rotation [NESN.com]

Video: Joe Maddon Preaching Message of ‘Just Go Play’ to Rays As They Attempt to Chase Down Red Sox [NESN.com]

Joe Maddon Lived Through Angels’ Collapse in 1995, Hopes Red Sox Experience Same Fate [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Rays and September Baseball! [Projo Sox Blog]

Hell, yeah, you’ve got to panic [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona not about to change the way he uses Bard [Projo Sox Blog]

Just wonderin’…this time about Jacoby Ellsbury [Projo Sox Blog]

Clay Buchholz to throw “full-fledged bullpen” Saturday [Projo Sox Blog]

Gonzalez, Ortiz back in the Red Sox lineup [Projo Sox Blog]

Maddon, Ramos have seen comebacks from other side [Projo Sox Blog]

Wild Card contenders to clash at Fenway Park [RedSox.com]

Coming weeks to reveal much about Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Lowrie gets cortisone shot in ailing left shoulder [RedSox.com]

Tim Wakefield Adds 200th Chapter to 20-Year Tale of Perseverance [Tom Caron – NESN.com]

Boston Red Sox captain Varitek finds his way late in career [USA Today]

Audio: Pedroia: I’m not worried about Bard [WEEI.com]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

This week:

The UConn Huskies will host the Iowa State Cyclones from the Big 12 Friday night at 8 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.

Here are the rosters for the Huskies and the Cyclones.

The Line/Prediction:

According to Rivals.com odds, the Huskies are 4.5 point favorites. The over/under is 44.

My prediction is UConn 24 Iowa State 21 on a late field goal.

Tickets:

According to Ticketmaster.com, there are plenty of seats available for the game.

Getting To The Game:

Here is link for the weather report. Here is all the parking info you will need for the game, this link includes directions to Rentschler Field. Here is a Rentschler Field seating chart and here is some general information for Rentschler Field.

The parking lots will open up 4 hours before kickoff. Here is a list of the tailgating rules at the Rent.

At UConn home games, FanFest takes place starting four hours before kickoff up until 30 minutes before the game. This year, it moves to between Gates A and B outside the stadium gates.

The offerings change each game, but activities typically include inflatable games for children, live bands, promotional vehicles and UConn student-athletes from various team signing autographs.

The “Husky Walk” is a chance for fans to welcome the UConn teams as they get off the team buses and head to the stadium. That takes place at approximately two hours and 15 minutes before kickoff between Gates A and B.

Starting this season at the end of home games, the UConn team will sing the “UConn Husky” fight song in front of the student section at Rentschler Field.

Friday night’s game will be Green Awareness Night at Rentschler Field. The annual event is part of the “Husky Honor” program that promotes sportsmanship as well as sustainability and environmental responsibility at UConn athletic events. UConn was recently ranked No. 16 in the country in the Sierra Club’s annual ranking of the nation’s “greenest” universities. EcoHusky student volunteers will be on site Friday night to help fans recycle bottes and cans and to raise awareness about what the University and Rentschler Field are doing to reduce waste and minimize the carbon footprint at a UConn game.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television:

Friday’s game will be televised nationally by ESPN2. Mike Gleason is on play-by-play while John Congemi is on color.

The game will also be replayed on SNY in a condensed mode on the “Husky Power Hour” on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:00 a.m. and 12 p.m. The game will be replayed in its entirity on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 4:00 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.

Iowa State Radio:

John Walters (play-by-play), Eric Heft (color) and Ben Burns (sideline) will have the call on the Cyclone Radio Network. The game is also available online on Cyclones.com. The Iowa State feed will also be available on XM 85 and Siruius 85.

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

Last Week:

The Huskies fell 24-21 to the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Cyclones beat their in-state rival the Iowa Hawkeyes 44-41 in triple overtime.

History:

Friday’s game marks just the second meeting between UConn and Iowa State with the Huskies holding a 1-0 series edge. UConn won a game in Ames on November, 23, 2002 by a score of 37-20.

Connections:

• There are no players on the UConn roster from the state of Iowa and no players from Connecticut on the ISU roster.
• ISU head coach Paul Rhoads faced UConn as defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh from 2004-07 when the Huskies first joined the BIG EAST. UConn was 3-1 vs. the Panthers during that period.
• UConn QB coach Joe Moorhead was on the same staff at Akron as ISU assistant head coach Bill Bleil from 2005-08.
• ISU DC Wally Burnham had the same positon at USF in 2008 when the Bulls beat the Huskies.
• ISU DL coach Curtis Bray also coached at Pitt during UConn’s first three years in the BIG EAST.

Other UConn News:

If you’re attending the game, be sure to wear something blue as UConn is doing a “Blue Out“

Here are the quotes from Paul Pasqualoni’s press conference. Also included in there are quotes from defensive coordinator Don Brown and various players. You can also watch Pasqualoni’s press conference if you want.

Get to know UConn defensive coordinator Don Brown.

Here is UConn’s depth chart for the game.

Connecticut has an overall record of 3-1 against the current members of the Big 12 Conference. It’s last game against the Big 12 was the 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl as it lost to Oklahoma by a 48-20 score.

With the Sept. 3 win vs. Fordham, Pasqualoni is now tied for first in league history in overall wins with 108 and as Beamer also has 108.

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 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 1-1 (2011).

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

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

• Rushing Defense – 19th at 69.00 (First in BIG EAST)
• Pass. Eff. Defense – 15th at 88.07 (First in BIG EAST)
• Total Defense – 10th at 214.00 (First in BIG EAST)
• Scoring Defense – t22nd at 13.50 (Third in BIG EAST)
• Pass Defense – 20th at 145.00 (First in BIG EAST)
• Sacks – 14th at 4.00 (Second in BIG EAST)
• Tackles For Loss – 9th at 9.00 (Second in BIG EAST

Individual leaders:

• Rushing – Lyle McCombs, 12th at 129.50 (2nd in BIG EAST)
• Scoring –  Lyle McCombs, t15th at 12.00 (t2nd in BIG EAST)
• Sacks – Sio Moore, t6th at 1.75 (First in BIG EAST)
• TFL – Teddy Jennings, t6th at 2.50 (First in BIG EAST)

UConn is 26-15 in games following a loss since Oct. 26, 2002.

Dave Teggart’s 105 extra points is tied for second in school history while Matt Nuzie had 124 from 2003-06. His 266 career points is first in school history and he topped that record on Saturday night vs. Vanderbilt.

UConn has now won ten consecutive games at Rentschler Field.

UConn presently stands at 40-12 all-time at Rentschler Field including a 23-4 mark in non-conference games.

Notes from this week’s opponent Iowa State:

Here’s video from Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads’ press conference on the game. Here’s video from DB Leonard Johnson and P Kirby Van Der Kamp and RB James White, WR Josh Lenz, WR Darius Reynolds. Here’s transcripts of interviews from RB James White, WR Josh Lenz, WR Darius Reynolds and LB Jake Knott, LB AJ Klein, DB Leonard Johnson.

If you’re an Iowa State alum planning on attending the game, there is a pregame tailgate being held.

The Cyclones return 16 starters (6 offense, 7 defense, 3 specialists) from the 2010 team that finished 5-7 overall and 3-5 in the Big 12.

For the second consecutive season, Iowa State’s schedule will rank among the nation’s toughest. According to Phil Steele’s 2011 College Football Preview, Iowa State’s schedule ranks sixth in difficulty.

Iowa State is 12-1 under head coach Paul Rhoads when holding teams under 24 points and 2-12 when allowing more than 24 points. The 52-38 win over Texas Tech in 2010 broke the mold.

CYCLONES ON WATCH LISTS
Jake Knott

• Butkus Award (Most Outstanding LB)
• Rotary Lombardi Award (Most Outstanding Lineman)
• Nagurski Award (Nation’s Best Def. Player)
• Bednarik Award (Nation’s Top Def. Player)

Kelechi Osemele

• Rotary Lombardi Award (Most Outstanding Lineman)
• Outland Trophy (Nation’s Best Interior Lineman)

Thursday UConn Football Links:

Big East mailblog [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Thoughts, Prayers And Get-Well-Soon Wishes To Marcus Easley [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Pasqualoni Presser Notes And Updates Leading Into Iowa State [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Catching up on the week [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

An update from Coach P: 3 QB’s still ‘ready’ [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Game Preview – Connecticut vs. Iowa State [BigEast.org]

UConn vs. Iowa State: Who has the edge? [CT Post]

Pasqualoni Still Plans On 3 QBs Against Iowa State [Hartford Courant]

Expecting Moore [Journal Inquirer]

West Haven resident, UConn grad Donald Thomas signs with New England [New Haven Register]

Cyclones must avoid Cy-Hawk hangover at Connecticut [Times-Republican.com]

This won’t be a typical Friday night for Rhoads family [Des Moines Register]

Next Week:

The Huskies will head to Buffalo, NY to take on the Buffalo Bulls next Saturday night (9/24) at 6 p.m.

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 Thursday football links section of the Iowa State vs UConn preview.

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Bradley: “This is Something I Wanted to Do” [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Ray Allen, Other Alum Work With Huskies, Impressed With Team’s Depth [Hartford Courant]

Michael Bradley helped a one-time opponent, Andre Drummond, become a teammate [New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

NCAA Woman Of Year Finalists Announced; Maya Moore Doesn’t Make Cut [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Would Welcome More Games In Fairfield County [Paul Doyle – Hartford Courant]

Auriemma: Don’t expect a title this season [CT Post]

Geno Auriemma Says New President Herbst Will Affect Him More Than Change In ADs [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Opens BIG EAST Action At Home On Thursday [UConnHuskies.com]

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

With John Lackey on the mound and the Boston Red Sox losing 5-4 to the Toronto Blue Jays, the natural inclination is to blame him for the loss. Well despite the fact he gave up two runs in the 1st inning, he didn’t pitch too bad at all.

Sure his pitch count only allowed him to work 5.1 innings but he did leave with a lead at 3-2. Franklin Morales got him out of the 6th and the offense added another run in the bottom half of the inning. Alfredo Aceves worked  the 7th and walked a runner.

The big blow though came in the 8th inning when the normally reliable Daniel Bard came in and walked the first two batters he faced. I say normally because for the better part of the season, he’s been dominant. Lately though it’s been another story. And of course that other story, a flaw in his mechanics, cost the Red Sox the game on Wednesday afternoon.

His throwing error loaded up the bases after the two walks and he finally got the first out of the inning when J.P. Arencibia grounded out to third base. Adam Loewen put the nail in the coffin though for the Red Sox with a two-run single.

The Red Sox couldn’t get anything done against Jays starter Ricky Romero in the 8th and it was the same thing in the 9th against Frank Francisco.

Fortunately though for the Red Sox, they got some help from the Baltimore Orioles who beat the Tampa Bay Rays. This keeps their lead over the Rays at four games in the AL Wild Card standings. The Angels are lurking as well as they just 4.5 games behind.

The Red Sox remain four games behind the New York Yankees for first in the AL East as the Yanks fell to the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in 12 innings.

Besides now having to worry about the injuries (you can add Adrian Gonzalez to the list after he left with a calf issue on Wednesday), we now have some concern about Bard. Right now you can honestly say the only pitchers to trust down there are Aceves and Jonathan Papelbon.

We should really know after this weekend as to whether or not the Red Sox will make the playoffs. The Rays are in town for four games and at four games behind, they could leave Beantown in a tie for the AL Wild Card. They could also leave down eight games or somewhere between both of those.

Anything is possible but let’s hope the Red Sox lead remains at least four games. Otherwise, their may be lines at the Tobin Bridge and I don’t mean lines of traffic.

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 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

Bard and Sox can’t hold on [Boston Globe]

Set-up guy needs to reset himself [Boston Globe]

This pitching decision goes in rookie’s favor [Boston Globe]

Finally at Fenway in her 88th season [Boston Globe]

Red Sox set up to fail [Boston Herald]

Time for results, not finger pointing [Boston Herald]

Ill-timed ills for David Ortiz, Adrian Gonzalez [Boston Herald]

Bard blows lead, Sox fall to Jays, 6-5 [CSN New England]

Red Sox await Bard’s return from recent slump [CSN New England]

For Lavarnway, it’s not rocket science, or is it? [CSN New England]

Notes: Lackey starts rough, settles down [CSN New England]

Rapid reaction: Blue Jays 5, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Gonzalez (calf) hopes to return Thursday [ESPN Boston]

Bard coughs up another one [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Bard’s struggles deepen as Sox fall to Jays [Full Count]

Red Sox hope rookie Kyle Weiland can dash Rays’ hopes [Full Count]

Ouch! Red Sox face cascade of injuries with season in the balance [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Confident Daniel Bard’s Work Ethic Will Help Reliever Snap Out of Recent Slump [NESN.com]

Video: Daniel Bard Attributes Rough Stretch to Mechanical Flaws, Insists He’ll Be Able to Bounce Back [NESN.com]

Saul Wisnia’s New Book, ‘Fenway Park: The Centennial — 100 Years of Red Sox Baseball’ Offers Stunning Celebration of Ballpark’s History [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard Gets Strong Show of Support From Teammates, Coaching Staff After Latest Rocky Outing [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Hopes to Play Thursday, But Heart of Red Sox Lineup Beset With Injuries [NESN.com]

MLB Players Vote A.J. Pierzynski Meanest Player, Kevin Youkilis, Josh Beckett Also Make List [NESN.com]

Bard blows another lead, Sox can’t recover [Providence Journal]

Ghost of no control revisits Bard [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Morrow has seen Bedard at his best [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 papers, head over to the Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and the Globe and Mail websites.

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

MLB has released the full 2012 schedule and we find our Boston Red Sox opening their 2012 season on the road for six games.

They’ll begin the season in Detroit against the Tigers before flying north of the border for three games with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Red Sox will open up their 2012 home schedule against the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a nine-game homestand.

The Red Sox will see their AL East rivals, the New York Yankees, three times in April at home. Then they won’t play them again until July when the Yanks return to the Fens for three games. There first trip to Yankee Stadium comes at the end of July.

Interleague play will begin in May with three games against the Philadelphia Phillies in Philly. When it kicks back up in June, they’ll host the Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins and Atlanta Braves. They’ll also play the Marlins and Chicago Cubs on the road during interleague play.

The Red Sox make two west coast swings in 2012.

The first one will bring them to the left coast at the end of June and early July for seven games against the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics. They return to the west coast at the end of August and early September for nine games against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, A’s and Mariners.

When they return home from that final west coast trip, they’ll finish off their season with 25 games against AL East teams.

2012 Boston Red Sox schedule

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

After helping Tim Wakefield pick up his 200th career win, the Boston Red Sox look to end the season series with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays this afternoon at Historic Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Blue Jays television market, you can catch the game on Rogers SportsNet. 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 makes his 26th start of 2011 as he looks to snap out of his funk and push the Red Sox closer to the playoffs.  In his previous 25 starts, Lackey is 12-12 with a 6.30 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Jays and is 1-2 with a 12.00 ERA (20 ER/15 IP). He’s made 18 career starts against the Jays and is 5-7 with a 5.58 ERA. He’s made three of those starts at the Fens where he is 1-2 with a 13.50 ERA (19 ER/12.2 IP).

Ricky Romero makes his 30th start of 2011 for the Blue Jays. In his previous 29 starts, Romero is 14-11 with a 3.01 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox this season and is 1-2 with an 8.22 ERA (14 ER/15.1 IP). Romero has made 12 career starts against the Red Sox and is 3-6 with a 7.63 ERA. Six of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-3 with a 6.47 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:

74-74		86-61
1. Mike McCoy	SS	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Eric Thames	LF	2. Marco Scutaro	SS
3. Jose Bautista	RF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Adam Lind	1B	4. Dustin Pedroia	2B
5. Edwin Encarnacion	DH	5. Kevin Youkilis	3B
6. Kelly Johnson	2B	6. Ryan Lavarnway	DH
7. Brett Lawrie	3B	7. Carl Crawford	LF
8. J.P. Arencibia	C	8. Jason Varitek	C
9. Adam Loewen	CF	9. Darnell McDonald	RF
Ricky Romero	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

Pedroia breaks out in a big way [Boston Globe]

Beckett to pitch against Rays [Boston Globe]

Floating on air [Boston Globe]

Youkilis willing to play with pain [Boston Globe]

A reprieve from all that white-knuckle time [Boston Globe]

Tim Wakefield gets 200th as Sox clobber Jays [Boston Herald]

Tim Wakefield’s 200 nothing without ’04 [Boston Herald]

Manny Ramirez: A man without a plan [Boston Herald]

Dustin Pedroia busts out of slump in big fashion [Boston Herald]

Ailing Bobby Jenks KO’d for rest of year [Boston Herald]

Kevin Youkilis deals with pain [Boston Herald]

Joey Gathright gets call to join Sox again [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett set to start Friday night vs. Rays [Clubhouse Insider]

David Ortiz discusses back spasms [Clubhouse Insider]

Wakefield gets No. 200 in 18-6 blowout [CSN New England]

Reddick’s Triple H WWE memorabilia arrives [CSN New England]

Wakefield grateful to win 200th at Fenway Park [CSN New England]

Notes: Pedroia, Ellsbury step up in win over Jays [CSN New England]

Arnold: Wild-card race ended Tuesday [CSN New England]

Beckett to start Friday; Weiland on Thursday [CSN New England]

Dustin Pedroia’s Slump No Big Deal, As He’s Proven Many Times He Can Turn It Around in a Flash [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Rapid Reaction: Sox 18, Jays 6 [ESPN Boston]

Teammates, fans salute Wakefield [ESPN Boston]

Dustin Pedroia helps snap Boston Red Sox out of doldrums [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox look to stay hot against Jays today [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz in brace with back spasms [ESPN Boston]

Kevin Youkilis and Shawn Thornton start book drive for military families today [Extra Bases]

Rotation set for Rays series [Extra Bases]

Ortiz hopes for quick return from back spasms [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Dustin Pedroia steals the show as Tim Wakefield finally gets win No. 200 [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia finds his October form [Full Count]

Bedard says lat injury ‘not serious’ but ‘frustrating’ [Full Count]

A retrospective: Tim Wakefield’s journey to 200 wins [Full Count]

Pre-game Notes: Weiland pitching Thursday, Bedard uncertain [Full Count]

Tim Wakefield’s 200th Win Just One Part of Perfect Night for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona Happy Tim Wakefield Finally Reaches 200 Wins, Reflects on All Pitcher Has Done for Team [NESN.com]

Tim Wakefield’s Milestone 200th Win Comes at Perfect Time for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Video: Dustin Pedroia Says ‘Anything Great You Can Say About Somebody’ Can Be Said About Tim Wakefield [NESN.com]

Video: Tim Wakefield Glad Pursuit of 200th Win Over, Goal Remains Helping Red Sox Get to Postseason [NESN.com]

Video: Tim Wakefield Says Win No. 200 ‘Worth the Wait,’ Grateful for Accomplishing Feat in Front of Fenway Faithful [NESN.com]

Toronto’s Morrow has seen the Erik Bedard roller-coaster before [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz out of the lineup for one more day [Projo Sox Blog]

At long last Wake, and Sox, win [Providence Journal]

Jenks has pulmonary embolism [Providence Journal]

Cubs willing to wait for Epstein [Providence Journal]

On this night, everyone’s a winner [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Beckett says he’s ready to go [Providence Journal]

Ortiz finds new home for charity golf outing [RedSox.com]

Lackey looks to bounce back vs. Jays [RedSox.com]

MLB gets active 200-game winner in Wake [RedSox.com]

Once again, Tim Wakefield offered perfect timing [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Have titles made them feel entitled? [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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

Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

Since I spent my entire Tuesday flying out to Hawaii to help out my brother after his surgery, we didn’t get to any UConn links obviously. I apologize if some of these you’ve already seen.

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

UConn Football links

Big East power rankings: Week 3 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East weekend rewind: Week 2 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

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

Big East needs a big Week 3 [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn needs more offensive production [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Tough loss behind, UConn preps for Iowa State [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Lots to fix before Iowa State, but “We’re in this together.” [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

UConn Lands Alex Mateas: OL Transfer From Penn State [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Special Events Planned At The Rent Friday [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Coach P at the podium: Iowa State edition [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

Monday presser [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Huskies back to work, ready for Iowa State [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Friday Night Football “Blue Out” [UConnHuskies.com]

Football Forecast Calls For Cyclones [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn needs to correct offensive woes as Iowa State visits [CT Post]

Report: Bills place Bunnell’s Easley on IR for heart ailment [CT Post]

Once Again, It Looks Like D.J. Shoemate Will Be Ready To Go [Hartford Courant]

It’s Time To Give Nebrich A Look [Hartford Courant]

UConn Opponent Iowa State Relishes Role Of Underdog [Hartford Courant]

UConn CB Dwayne Gratz Learns From His Mistakes [Hartford Courant]

Chaos under control? [Journal Inquirer]

Johnny McEntee expected to remain Huskies’ starting QB [New Haven Register]

UConn needs better quarterback play this week [Norwich Bulletin]

Aggression is the name of Moore’s game [The Day]

UConn football notebook [The Day]

UConn Football Notebook — Cyclones headed to Rentschler [The Hour]

Wait for rematch is almost over for Cyclones, UConn [Des Moines Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

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

Ray Allen: ‘Deepest’ UConn Team He Can Remember [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

NCAA deflects issue of UConn scholarships [CBSSports.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

McDaniel Schedules Home And Official Visits With UConn [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Heistand Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Andrew Jean-Baptiste Named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer Ranked No. 2; Jean-Baptiste Honored By Soccer America [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Lacrosse. Four Lacrosse Student-Athletes Honored For Academics By IWLCA [UConnHuskies.com]

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

UConn head coach Paul Pasqualoni has released his depth chart for the game on Friday night against the Iowa State Cyclones at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.

When you take a look at the depth chart, you’ll notice that there are no changes from last week’s depth chart for the Vanderbilt game. That’s what, zip nada zilch zero changes from last week.

I say take this depth chart with a grain of salt folks.

Running back D.J. Shoemate was listed in an “OR” situation there last week with Lyle McCombs but other than touching the field in warmups, he spent the game on the sidelines. Taylor Mack was listed as the starter at punt returner but on Vanderbilt’s first punt of the night, Williams was back there.

And let’s not get anyone started on the quarterback situation. We’ll just leave at Pasqualoni said yesterday that he’ll prepare all three like they are starting the game this Friday night. Fun times, fun times.

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

OFFENSE

LT: 71 Mike Ryan (RSr., 6-5, 335)
72 Jimmy Bennett (RJr., 6-9, 306)

LG: 70 Gary Bardzak (RSr., 6-3, 289) OR
69 Steve Greene (RSo., 6-4, 304)

C: 57 Moe Petrus (RSr., 6-2, 302)
70 Gary Bardzak (RSr., 6-3, 289) OR
50 Tyler Bullock (So., 6-4, 298)

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

RT: 77 Kevin Friend (RSo., 6-5, 300)
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)
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 St.Louis (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)
16 Byron Jones (RFr., 6-1, 187)

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

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

“Sunday MLB on TBS” will conclude its regular season schedule on September 25 with a special doubleheader featuring two divisional match-ups.  A half-hour edition of MLB on Deck will preview the day’s action at 12:30 p.m. (ET) with Matt Winer (host) in studio alongside Dennis Eckersley (analyst), Cal Ripken (analyst) and David Wells (analyst). 

The pre-game show will be followed at 1 p.m. (ET) with one of the most-storied rivalries in sports when Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees host David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox at 1 p.m. (ET) at Yankee Stadium.  The second game of the day will feature a showdown between National League West rivals when Carlos Beltran and the San Francisco Giants visit Justin Upton and the Arizona Diamondbacks at 4 p.m. (ET) at Chase Field in Phoenix.  Announcers for both games to be announced at a later date. This marks the first TBS MLB Sunday afternoon Game of the Week doubleheader.

Beginning on September 30, TBS will begin televising the 2011 MLB Postseason for the fifth consecutive year.  The network will provide exclusive coverage of all four MLB League Division Series (ALDS & NLDS) and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

TBS has served as the exclusive home of Major League Baseball’s Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007, has broadcasted MLB games for more than 30 years and was home of the Atlanta Braves from 1977-2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

Sun., September  25
12:30 p.m. (ET)	MLB On Deck
	Announcers: Matt Winer (host), Dennis Eckersley (analyst), Cal Ripken (analyst) and David Wells (analyst)
1 p.m. (ET)	Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees
4 p.m. (ET)	San Francisco Giants @ Arizona Diamondbacks

I’m guessing that any store in the Boston area that carries buttons will sell out of them today,. Especially with what Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz said after Sunday’s 9-1 drubbing by the Tampa Bay Rays.

“Hell yeah, you’ve got to panic at this point, but you’re not going to do anything panicking but playing better,” said Ortiz. “Of course you’re freaked out, you go on this road trip, 1-6, it’s not good. We’ve got these guys breathing down our necks and we’re not in first place, either.”

Jon Lester, probably the most consistent pitcher this season besides Josh Beckett for the Red Sox, was anything but that on Sunday. While he only allowed four runs, the problem was that he only lasted four innings due to a pitch count of 111. 43 of those pitches came in the first inning when he allowed three runs that put the team in a hole they wouldn’t recover from against Rays starter James Shields.

Part of the problem with Lester’s high pitch count was issuing three walks. The other part of the problem was that wasn’t entirely in his control as the Rays were fouling off pitches left and right.

But at a time where the Red Sox needed their ace, he failed them. However, I wouldn’t expect a repeat of this going forward from him.

You really have to wonder if there’s anyone in the Red Sox bullpen right now that Terry Francona trusts besides Jonathan Papelbon. You could throw Daniel Bard into that mix too but he’s struggled lately.

Michael Bowden couldn’t get out of the 5th, leaving the bases loaded for Matt Albers. Unfortunately, Bowden would be charged with three runs when Albers served up a grand salami to B.J. Upton.

Yes the Red Sox are free falling through the standings right now. They now trail the New York Yankees by 3.5 games in the AL East standings. Their lead in the AL Wild Card is down to 3.5 games with the Rays. And with four games coming up against the Rays this weekend in Beantown, the Red Sox need to figure out how to beat their starting pitching.

If not, it’s going to be a LONG offseason.

With the local nine off today, we’ll be back in a bit with the pitching matchups. 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

Anatomy of a swoon: Why the Red Sox are reeling [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Malaise sweeps Sox [Boston Globe]

Words needed to avoid utter disaster? [Boston Globe]

Beckett to throw off mound [Boston Globe]

Rays close in on wild card lead [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez draws on pennant races past [Boston Herald]

Good news on hurting hurlers [Boston Herald]

Little things adding up for sloppy Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Rough trip ends in 9-1 loss to Rays [CSN New England]

Sox: ‘We’ve overcome a lot worse than this’ [CSN New England]

In big situation, Lester comes up small [CSN New England]

First inning dooms Lester [CSN New England]

Beckett, Buchholz inch closer to returning [CSN New England]

Notes: Sox realize they have to play better [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Rays 9, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]

Beckett to throw off mound Monday [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox feel presence of Rays [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox’ September swoon continues as Rays finish sweep [Full Count]

Jon Lester Falls Flat on Day Red Sox Need Him Most, Rays Complete Sweep With 9-1 Win [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett to Throw Side Session Upon Return to Boston, Could Make Start Later in Week [NESN.com]

Video: Jon Lester Not Worried About Red Sox’ Recent Skid, Points to Early Season Struggles as Proof They Can Right Ship [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona Says ‘You’re Concerned About Everything’ as Manager, But There’s Difference Between Concern and Panic [NESN.com]

Video: Red Sox Need to Get Back to Small Ball, Limit Mistakes on Upcoming Homestand to Turn Things Around [NESN.com]

Red Sox Trying Not to Panic, But Struggling to Find Positives From All-Around Poor Play [NESN.com]

Sweep pulls Rays within 3 games in wildcard race [Providence Journal]

Panic time yet? You bet, says Ortiz [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Beckett could be in the mix this week [Providence Journal]

Rays, Sox pause to honor those lost on 9/11 [RedSox.com]

Marco Scutaro intent on making the future a little less uncertain [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over 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: AP Photo