After taking three-of-four in Kansas City, the Boston Red Sox head to Texas where the nightmare start of 2011 began. Tonight they’ll kickoff a four-game set with the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Rangers broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Southwest. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the MLB Network is also scheduled to have coverage of tonight’s game. 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 fourth start for the Red Sox since coming over from the Seattle Mariners where he made 16 starts. In his previous 19 starts, Bedard is 4-8 with a 3.44 ERA. In his three starts with the Red Sox, he is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA. He’s made two starts against the Rangers this year, both as a member of the Mariners. In those two starts, he is 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA (5 ER/12 IP). He’s made 13 career starts against the Rangers and is 4-3 with a 3.22 ERA. Five of those starts have come in Arlington where he is 1-2 with a 5.81 ERA.

C.J. Wilson makes his 27th start of 2011 for the Rangers. In his previous 26 starts, Wilson is 12-5 with a 3.20 ERA. In his lone start against the Red Sox back on Opening Day, he picked up a no decision after allowing four runs (two earned) in 5.2 innings. He’s had good success against the Red Sox in his career. In 16 appearances (four starts), Wilson is 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA and three saves.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

77-49		73-55
1. Marco Scutaro	SS	1. Ian Kinsler	2B
2. Darnell McDonald	CF	2. Elvis Andrus	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Josh Hamilton	LF
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Michael Young	3B
5. Jed Lowrie	3B	5. Nelson Cruz	RF
6. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	6. Mike Napoli	DH
7. Carl Crawford	LF	7. Mitch Moreland	1B
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. Yorvit Torrealba	C
9. Josh Reddick	RF	9. Craig Gentry	CF
Erik Bedard	SP	C.J. Wilson	SP

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

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Felger & Mazz: First Place Is A Big Deal For This Team [CBS Boston]

Rangers GM Jon Daniels still sweet on Salty [Clubhouse Insider]

Ellsbury to return Tues.; Drew to start rehab Fri.; Buchholz update [Clubhouse Insider]

Nation STATion: One run at a time [CSN New England]

Crawford says he’ll do better… for fantasy [CSN New England]

Report: Francona: Ellsbury likely to return Tuesday [CSN New England]

Notes: Buchholz, Ortiz among others on the mend [CSN New England]

A Rangers introduction from ESPN Dallas [ESPN Boston]

Video: Red Sox-Rangers preview [ESPN Boston]

Sox will have their hands full in Texas [ESPN Boston]

Sox, Rangers kick off four-game series in Texas [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz eyes Tuesday return; Drew set for rehab [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox’s Jacoby Ellsbury sits out for 3rd straight game [ESPN Boston]

Miller to start Thursday; Wake on Friday [ESPN Boston]

Buchholz says he’ll be back this year [ESPN Boston]

Scouting the opponent: Boston Red Sox [ESPN Dallas]

What to watch against the Red Sox [ESPN Dallas]

Ask Nick: Feeling their pain [Extra Bases]

Texas trouble for Red Sox in recent years [Extra Bases]

Plenty of pre-game news from Texas [Extra Bases]

Federowicz Adjusting Well After Trade [MiLB.com]

Sea Dogs Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger Looking to Follow Tim Wakefield, Make a Name for Himself With Red Sox [NESN.com]

Red Sox Might Need One Strong Showing in Texas Before October [NESN.com]

Andrew Miller to Start Thursday in Texas, Tim Wakefield to Make Sixth Attempt at Win No. 200 on Friday at Home [NESN.com]

J.D. Drew Expected to Start Rehab Assignment Friday, Be Activated by Red Sox Sept. 1 [NESN.com]

Erik Bedard Set to Face Stiffest Test as Member of Red Sox Against Potent Rangers Lineup in Texas [NESN.com]

Carl Yastrzemski Celebrating 72nd Birthday on Monday, Continues to Be Revered as a Boston Legend [NESN.com]

Video: Clay Buchholz Progressing Well in Rehab for Back Injury, Still Hoping to Contribute Again This Season [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Expected to Return to Action Tuesday in Texas [NESN.com]

Video: Ryan Lavarnway Continues to Adjust to Life in Major Leagues With Help From Jason Varitek, Jarrod Saltalamacchia [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Rangers and Playoff Previews [Projo Sox Blog]

Weaver extension takes possible Red Sox target off the table [Projo Sox Blog]

Chili Davis can understand what Ryan Kalish is going through [Projo Sox Blog]

Miller to start Thursday, Wakefield pushed to Friday [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury aiming for Tuesday return [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz making progress, hopeful of return [Projo Sox Blog]

Drew scheduled for rehab games [Projo Sox Blog]

Top-notch offenses of Boston, Texas set to clash [RedSox.com]

Red Sox, Bedard draw potential playoff challenger [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: Reuters Pictures, AP Photo

You certainly couldn’t tell that the Boston Red Sox were without three of their All-Star players in David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury on Sunday afternoon. Especially when you’re getting contributions from Darnell McDonald, Ryan Lavarnway and Jason Varitek.

Those three players had strong afternoons in helping the Red Sox to a 6-1 win over the Kansas City Royals in the series finale. And even though the Red Sox won, they remain a ½ behind the New York Yankees since they also won on Sunday.

After achieving folk hero status in 2010, DMac has slipped off the radar a little bit. He had a poor start to the 2011 season but after a stint on the DL, his numbers have improved. After a single in the 4th, it looked like his bad ways would continue when he was made a baserunning error.

However, he would redeem himself in the 6th with a solo home run that gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. They had gotten the lead in the 5th when Varitek hit his first triple since 2007 to drive in Jed Lowrie who had led off the inning with an infield single.

Lavarnway may find himself back in Triple-A when Big Papi returns possibly during this four-game set in Texas. But once again he helped out with another two hits and added the second RBI of his young career. That RBI came in the 7th when he just missed his first career home run by about a foot or so. It ended up being a double that knocked in Adrian Gonzalez who had singled earlier in the inning to drive in a run.

Heck even Carl Crawford got in on the action with a solo home run, a monstrous 437 foot blast to right center.

Jon Lester started this one for the Red Sox and while not spectacular, he got the job done. With a tight strike zone like the one Jim Reynolds had on Sunday afternoon, it was hard for Lester to be great. He uncharacteristically walked four batters as as result of the strike zone. But like a good pitcher, Lester kept battling and gave his team the chance to win.

He ran into some trouble in the 7th inning when he allowed a lead-off triple and a walk. He was chased from the game with a 3-1 lead after Mike Moustakas brought in KC’s first run of the game with a single. He gave way to Daniel Bard who inherited two runners. By the time all was said and done in the 7th, those two inherited runners were left stranded on the bases.

Although they were spanked 10-0 on Sunday, the Texas Rangers are still one of the hotter teams in the MLB right now. And we know the Red Sox would like none better than to exact some revenge on the Rangers who took the first three games of the 2011 season from the Red Sox.

Whether it might be an ALDS or ALCS preview remains to be seen right now. But you can bet that while the Red sox will look for the revenge factor, these upcoming four games should be fun to watch.

Hopefully the role players can do their jobs for the Red Sox and back up what we hope to be some strong starting pitching.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and more for this evening’s game. But for now enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Stitched-up Sox [Boston Globe]

Varitek gets up to speed [Boston Globe]

If team can stay on track, Game 1 starter pick a real horse race [Boston Globe]

Shorthanded Sox get road boost from Jon Lester, Bard [Boston Herald]

Darnell McDonald delivers against lefty [Boston Herald]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia emerges as reliable No. 1 catcher [Boston Herald]

Under the microscope: Carl Crawford [Boston Herald]

Sox take series finale from Royals, 6-1 [CSN New England]

McDonald finds his groove vs. Royals [CSN New England]

Notes: Bard once again rock solid out of pen [CSN New England]

Ortiz takes BP, but not done with boot [ESPN Boston]

Rapid reaction: Sox 6, Royals 1 [ESPN Boston]

Varitek helps fill offensive void [ESPN Boston]

Josh Beckett on his new ’10-5′ rights: ‘It’s a pretty cool thing to have’ [Full Count]

Closing Time: Jon Lester, Darnell McDonald lead the way in Red Sox win over Royals [Full Count]

Daniel Bard showed once again why he loves these sort of moments [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Praises Darnell McDonald’s Ability to Provide Offensive Punch Against Left-Handers [NESN.com]

Video: Jon Lester Says Red Sox Bullpen Makes Life Easier for Starters, Discusses Importance of Players Picking Each Other Up [NESN.com]

Video: Jason Varitek Hits First Triple Since 2007, Jokes That He Likes to ‘Space Them Out’ [NESN.com]

Video: Ryan Kalish, Felix Doubront Among Triple-A Players Who Could Help Strengthen Red Sox Roster Down Stretch [NESN.com]

Red Sox Display Ability to Shrug Aside Issues, Show Up and Grind in Winning Series at Kansas City [NESN.com]

This time, Boston’s bullpen comes through [Providence Journal]

Red Sox have to show that they can compete in Texas [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Even while playing DH, Lavarnway works hard on his defense [Providence Journal]

Noting the Red Sox [Nuggetpalooza]

Why Erik Bedard might be a better fit in Boston than many imagined [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

For Red Sox, time to hone in on the Rangers [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital-Journal websites.

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

Photo credit: AP Photo

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

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

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

UConn Football links

Wreh-Wilson grows into Division I standout [GoErie.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Player Profile: DeAndre Daniels [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma Comments On Hathaway’s Departure [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Day Five in Italy; Team Moves on to Florence [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

Paul Pendergast Named Interim Director of Athletics [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Tops Boston College In Exhibition [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Blue vs. White Match Time Change [UConnHuskies.com]

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 avoid a spilt of the series in the finale of a four-game set with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium this afternoon.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Royals broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Kansas City. 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 toes the slab for the 24th time in 2011 this afternoon. In his previous 23 starts, Lester is 12-6 with a 3.22 ERA. He’s made one start against the Royals this year,  picking up a no decision after allowing one run in 5.1 innings of work back on July 25th. In six career starts against the Royals, Lester is 4-1 with a 1.28 ERA (6 ER/42.1 IP). Only of those starts have come in the City of Fountains where he is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA (4 ER/5 IP). And that start came back in 2006, his first season in the big leagues.

Danny Duffy makes his 17th start of 2011 for the Royals. In his previous 16 starts, Duffy is 3-7 with a 5.66 ERA. He picked up a no decision earlier this season in his only career start against the Red Sox. In that outing back on July 26th, he allowed six runs on six hits in 3.2 innings of work.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this afternoon’s lineups:

76-49		52-75
1. Marco Scutaro	SS	1. Alex Gordon	LF
2. Darnell McDonald	CF	2. Melky Cabrera	CF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Billy Butler	DH
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Eric Hosmer	1B
5. Jed Lowrie	3B	5. Jeff Francoeur	RF
6. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	6. Johnny Giavotella	2B
7. Carl Crawford	LF	7. Salvador Perez	C
8. Jason Varitek	C	8. Mike Moustakas	3B
9. Josh Reddick	CF	9. Alcides Escobar	SS
Jon Lester	SP	Danny Duffy	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

Pregame notes: Crawford still batting seventh, plus injury updates [Clubhouse Insider]

Lester tries to continue dominance of Royals [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox keep still-sore Jacoby Ellsbury out of lineup [ESPN Boston]

Pregame notes from Kansas City [Extra Bases]

Left-hander Felix Doubront hoping to make up for lost time in September [Full Count]

Vote: Which Potential September Call-Up Could Have Greatest Impact For Red Sox? [NESN.com]

Red Sox Confident in Struggling Reliever Matt Albers’ Ability to Rediscover Form [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury’s Injury Creates Opportunity for Other Red Sox to Step Up (Video) [NESN.com]

Royals Rookie Eric Hosmer Learns to Adjust to Big League Life, Gets Haircut From David Ortiz’s Barber (Video [NESN.com]

Ellsbury out for second straight game [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz boot should come off in Texas [Projo Sox Blog]

Even as DH, Lavarnway working on defense [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester looks to give Sox series win vs. Royals [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

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

Futures at Fenway a homecoming for Portland’s Hassan [Boston Globe]

From replica to the real thing: Prospect Alex Hassan has memorable day at Fenway [Full Count]

Alex Hassan Latest in the Line of Players to Transition From Pitching to Playing the Outfield [NESN.com]

PawSox Players Not Thinking About Potential Call-Up, Instead Remaining Focused on Task at Hand [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava Sees Similarities Between Minors, Majors in Return to Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Middlebrooks embraces next phase of career [RedSox.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox only run against in the 3-1 loss to the  Syracuse Chiefs during the Futures at Fenway was a home run by Daniel Nava.

Not So Friendly Fenway, PawSox Lose 3-1 [PawSox.com]

PawSox shut down in Futures at Fenway game [Providence Journal]

Syracuse Chiefs @ Pawtucket Red Sox 8.20.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2011 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs fell 6-4 to the Binghamton Mets in 11 innings in the first game of the Futures at Fenway event.

Hometown Hero, Hassan, Shines at Fenway [PortlandSeaDogs.com]

Young Sea Dogs enjoy confines of Fenway [RedSox.com]

Quite a site for Hassan [Portland Press Herald]

Down season, but Wagner remains up [Portland Press Herald]

Binghamton Mets @ Portland Sea Dogs 8.20.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2011 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs stats

Eastern League Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

The Wilmington Blue Rocks swept Salem in a doubleheader. They won the first 3-2 and the second game 6-2.

Late rally isn’t enough in Red Sox loss [Roanoke Times]

Twin-Bill Yields Saturday Sweep for Blue Rocks [OurSports Central]

Salem Red Sox @ Wilmington Blue Rocks 8.20.11 game 1 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox @ Wilmington Blue Rocks 8.20.11 game 2 box score [MiLB.com]

Salem Red Sox 2011 Roster

Salem Red Sox stats

Carolina League standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville Drive:

The Drive were shutout by the Savannah Sand Gnats 2-0.

Rain Delay Dampers Drive’s Chance for a Victory, Lose 2-0 [OurSports Central]

Savannah Sand Gnats @ Greenville Drive 8.20.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2011 Roster

Greenvillle Drive stats

South Atlantic League standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners walked off with a 2-1 win over the Staten Island Yankees in 10 innings.

Spinners Walk-Off With Win Over Yankees, 2-1 [LowellSpinners.com]

Winning in walk-off style [Lowell Sun]

Staten Island Yankees @ Lowell Spinners 8.20.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Lowell Spinners 2011 Roster

Lowell Spinners stats

NY-Penn League Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

Gulf Coast League Red Sox

A GCL Red Sox rally fell short in a 5-4 loss to the GCL Twins.

GCL Twins @ GCL Red Sox 8.20.11 box score [MiLB.com]

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox stats

Gulf Coast League Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

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

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

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

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

UConn Football links

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

Saturday notes: Last of the two-a-days [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

UConn Coach Paul Pasqualoni On Outgoing AD Jeff Hathaway [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Practice Notes And Quotes (Aug.20) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Quick practice notes [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

UConn FB practice notes: Coach P on Hathaway, Nebrich leading? [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Football Open Practice Report [UConnHuskies.com]

For UConn, talk about football, not Hathaway’s departure [CT Post]

Freshman Nebrich Making Strong Run At QB Job [Hartford Courant]

Pasqualoni Mum On Hathaway’s Departure [Hartford Courant]

McEntee Also Making Bid To Start At QB [Hartford Courant]

Adam Masters finally reaches milestone [New Haven Register]

It’s a duel at quarterback for Huskies [The Day]

Return Department — UConn looks for ways to get Nick Williams the ball [The Hour]

UConn Football Notebook – UConn camp closed, but far from over [The Hour]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Day 4 in Italy; Villa d’Este [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer Ends Preseason With 3-2 Victory Over Stony Brook [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Local freshmen part of young UConn women’s soccer team [Norwich Bulletin]

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

Just when things were looking up for the Boston Red Sox in helping starting pitcher Tim Wakefield get career win No. 200, the 6th inning happened. And when was all said in done after said inning, the Kansas City Royals had scored eight runs to secure a 9-4 win over the Red Sox on Saturday night.

Wakefield had been pretty much on cruise control for the first five innings. He had given up just one run and the offense got him four runs.

Wake got the first out of the inning on a strikeout of Billy Butler. After that though, the knuckler stayed up in the zone for the next three batters (a single and two doubles) and just like that it was 4-3 and Wake was heading to the dugout.

Now Matt Albers had been pretty decent for the Red Sox out of the pen this season. He has struggled lately though and after his performance last night, it looks as though he’s come back to earth. He gave up two walks, one intentional, and three hits. He ended up being charged with five runs earned after Franklin Morales gave up a triple to Eric Hosmer, his second hit of the inning, that allowed two of Alber’s runners to score.

It’s not like Royals starter Felipe Paulino was all that great either. The Red Sox got to him for four runs on eight hits and three walks. It was more of the Red Sox failing to complete capitalize on his mistakes.

They had the bases loaded in the 4th inning and one out.

They had picked up a run in the inning when Carl Crawford‘s single brought in Dustin Pedroia. After Ryan Lavarnway reached on infield single to load the bases, Darnell McDonald‘s sacrifice fly brought in another run. Paulino walked Marco Scutaro after that to reload the bases but former Royal Mike Aviles couldn’t get the job done as he flew out.

Before the implosion in the bottom half of the 6th inning, Lavarnaway picked up his first MLB RBI with a single, his second of the night, to make it 4-1. Crawford and Pedroia also had two hits in the losing cause.

We’ve seen this more than once this year when the Red Sox can’t score with the bases loaded. It’s cost them the game like it did on Saturday night in Kansas City. Obviously total fault doesn’t lie solely with them, this one’s on Albers and maybe even Terry Francona.

While Albers has struggled lately, he’s earned the trust of Tito. Dan Wheeler on the other hand, has pitched great since returning from the disabled list but isn’t in Tito’s circle of trust. Had he been, the outcome of this game may have turned out differently.

Instead, Wake has to wait another five days to try to pick up the elusive 200th win and the Red Sox now have to win to avoid another four-game split with the basement dwellers of the AL Central.

And one other thing, the loss for the Red Sox was another lost chance to regain first place in the AL East. A.J. Burnett was lit up like a Christmas tree by the Minnesota Twins and even pulled a John Lackey when he was pulled from the game. So the Red Sox remain a ½ back of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East.

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

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

Wakefield, Sox let one get away [Boston Globe]

From the maniacal one [Boston Globe]

‘No comment’ no more [Boston Globe]

Playing it safe with Ellsbury [Boston Globe]

Futures at Fenway a homecoming for Portland’s Hassan [Boston Globe]

Crawford too good to stay this bad [Boston Globe]

Debate on HGH issue is bound to get testy [Boston Globe]

Groundhog daze [Boston Herald]

KC’s draft diss still ‘fuel’ to drive Aviles [Boston Herald]

Beanball bruise benches Jacoby [Boston Herald]

Let’s put Wheels back on [Boston Herald]

Wakefield watches ‘pen blow chance for 200, 9-4 [CSN New England]

Albers’ struggles may open door for Wheeler [CSN New England]

Red Sox notes: Wake not frustrated [CSN New England]

Rapid reaction: Royals 9, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Sox bullpen’s no help to Wakefield [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Tim Wakefield comes up short again in bid for win No. 200 [Full Count]

Frustration is not part of Tim Wakefield’s equation [Full Count]

From replica to the real thing: Prospect Alex Hassan has memorable day at Fenway [Full Count]

Tim Wakefield’s Latest Bid for 200th Win Comes Up Short, As Red Sox Bullpen Collapses in 9-4 Loss [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Expected to Sit Again Sunday, David Ortiz May Shed Walking Boot Monday [NESN.com]

Video: Matt Albers Says He Feels Good Physically, Mentally But Needs to Get Ahead of Hitters More Often, Execute Pitches Better [NESN.com]

Video: Jarrod Saltalamacchia Says Red Sox Just Need to ‘Show Up and Grind’ to Get Through Dog Days of Summer [NESN.com]

Milestone now a millstone for Wakefield, Red Sox [Providence Journal]

Healthy Dan Wheeler has been spot on for Sox [Providence Journal]

Revamped MLB playoff system is close to reality [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Albers has suddenly come undone [Providence Journal]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital-Journal websites.

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

Photo credit: Getty Images

After winning for the second night in a row, the Boston Red Sox look for a third straight win in the third-game of a four-game set with the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Royals broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Kansas City. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Tim Wakefield makes his fifth attempt at career win No. 200 in his 18th start (27th appearance) of the season. In his previous 26 appearances (17 starts), Wake is 6-5 with a 4.90 ERA. He has not faced the Royals this year and last faced them in 2010. Wake has made 28 appearances (21 starts) against the Royals in his career and is 11-7 with a 4.26 ERA.  15 of those games (12 starts) have come in the City of Fountains where he is 7-4 with a 3.46 ERA.

Felipe Paulino will look to keep Wake from his 200th win in his 14th start (15th appearance) of 2011. In his previous 14 appearances (13 starts), Paulino is 1-5 with a 3.76 ERA. He’s never faced the Red Sox in his career.

Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.

Here are this evening’s lineups:

76-48		51-75
1. Marco Scutaro	SS	1. Alex Gordon	LF
2. Mike Aviles	3B	2. Melky Cabrera	CF
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Billy Butler	DH
4. Dustin Pedroia	2B	4. Eric Hosmer	1B
5. Josh Reddick	RF	5. Jeff Francoeur	RF
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Mike Moustakas	3B
7. Carl Crawford	LF	7. Salvador Perez	C
8. Ryan Lavarnway	DH	8. Chris Getz	2B
9. Darnell McDonald	CF	9. Alcides Escobar	SS
Tim Wakefield	SP	Felipe Paulino	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

‘No comment’ no more [Boston Globe]

Alfredo Aceves credits improved nutrition for success with Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox drop a depth charge [CSN New England]

Ellsbury will sit tonight after Friday’s HBP [CSN New England]

Notes: Scutaro to hit leadoff in Saturday return [CSN New England]

Pregame notes: Ellsbury out, Scutaro in [ESPN Boston]

Medical updates from Kansas City [Extra Bases]

Ortiz takes some swings [Extra Bases]

Tim Wakefield’s unlucky run towards 200 wins [Full Count]

Red Sox Left-Hander Jon Lester Draws Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors [NESN.com]

What Was the Red Sox’ Best August Waiver Wire Addition Since 1985? [NESN.com]

Vote: Is it Important for the Red Sox to Win the AL East? [NESN.com]

Alex Hassan Latest in the Line of Players to Transition From Pitching to Playing the Outfield [NESN.com]

Video: Tim Burke, 11-Year-Old Avid Red Sox Fan With Leukemia, Turns Lemons Into Lemonade [NESN.com]

Kansas City Once Again Gets to Jacoby Ellsbury, Who Is Out of Saturday’s Lineup [NESN.com]

PawSox Players Not Thinking About Potential Call-Up, Instead Remaining Focused on Task at Hand [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Battling Soreness After Getting Hit by Pitch, While David Ortiz Hits in Cage Without Walking Boot [NESN.com]

Video: Mike Aviles Using Trip to Kansas City as Opportunity to Catch Up With Former Teammates [NESN.com]

Reddick coping with inevitable slump [Projo Sox Blog]

Ortiz back in the swing [Projo Sox Blog]

Ellsbury out of the lineup after HBP [Projo Sox Blog]

Wakefield still seeking elusive 200th win [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

I think it’s fair to say that Andrew Miller has been pretty good this year for the Boston Red Sox. If there was anything bad we could say about him, it’s that he’s been consistently wild on the mound.

He had been banished to the bullpen after his last start on July 31st when the Red Sox acquired Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners. And before last night’s spot start, he had been all over the map with his control in his two relief outings.

Well in last night’s 7-1 win over the Kansas City Royals, Miller was far from being out of control. Sure he had two walks last night but he had much better command and control of his fastball. He used that strong command along with a nice curveball and a few changeups to keep the Royals hitters at bay.

He allowed one run on three hits with the two walks and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings on 83 pitches to raise his record to 5-1. The Red Sox are also 8-1 now in his nine starts this season.

Miller’s strong outing was backed up by Alfredo Aceves and of course the Red Sox offense.

Aceves came out of the pen in yet another Miller start and did what he does best. And that’s getting runners out. He a little blip in the road in the 9th inning but for the most part, Aces was dominating in his 3.2 innings of work. He allowed just one hit and one walk with three strikeouts to pick up his second save of the season.

It goes without saying right now that Aceves is probably the best free agent signing that Theo Epstein made in the offseason. Remember folks, Adrian Gonzalez doesn’t count in that category because he was traded for.

Speaking of Gonzalez, he looked about 10 years younger last night. Mired in a little slump as of late, Gonzalez shaved his trademark goatee to or change his luck up. Well whether or not it was a result of being more aerodynamic or not, Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. The scary part of this is the fact the last time Gonzo slumped a little, he went on a nice little hitting tear at the plate. So hopefully last night was the start of something special coming up for him.

In a tight 2-1 game at the time, Jarrod Saltalamacchia delivered the big blow with a 3-run homer off of Jeff Francis. Jed Lowrie added three hits to the cause while former Royals infielder Mike Aviles had two hits.

The Red Sox did get a little scare when Jacoby Ellsbury was hit in the numbers with a fastball. He did stay in the game to run but was removed primarily for precautionary reasons. Ellsbury said after the game he was fine.

The last thing the Red Sox need right now is another injury. They’re already playing with a shorthanded bench given that David Ortiz and Marco Scutaro are nursing nagging injuries.

With the win, the Red Sox stay a ½ behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East.

We’ll be back later today with the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and more for tonight’s game. But for now enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

This wild card delivers jackpot [Boston Globe]

Aceves is always up for the job [Boston Globe]

Cleanup crew [Boston Globe]

Andrew Miller impressive in win over Royals [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez gets it going [Boston Herald]

Jacoby Ellsbury’s house of horrors [Boston Herald]

Jason Varitek fondly remembers Little League experience [Boston Herald]

Miller steady, offense breaks out, 7-1 [CSN New England]

Gonzalez comes clean, and breaks slump [CSN New England]

Ellsbury hit with a bad memory in Kansas City [CSN New England]

Facing injuries, Sox buckle down [CSN New England]

Notes: Lavarnway relieved after getting first hit [CSN New England]

Rapid reaction: Red Sox 7, Royals 1 [ESPN Boston]

Sox get everything right vs. Royals [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox bats reappear in coup against Royals [Full Count]

Red Sox’ first overall draft pick Matt Barnes ‘living a dream’ [Full Count]

Ryan Lavarnway waited until everybody was in their seats before getting his hit [Full Count]

Video: Ryan Lavarnway Can Get Back to Focusing on Playing After Getting Debut Done With [NESN.com]

Video: Heidi Watney Takes a Look at Safeco Field’s More Unique Features During Red Sox Trip to Seattle [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Leaves Game Early After Taking Pitch in Back, Status Uncertain for Saturday [NESN.com]

Video: Alfredo Aceves Continues to Excel in ‘Unique Role’ With Red Sox Pitching Staff [NESN.com]

Andrew Miller Picks Up Red Sox With Solid Spot Start in Kansas City [NESN.com]

Salty on Aceves: “He’s got a method to his madness” [Projo Sox Blog]

Slumping offense shows signs of life [Providence Journal]

Aceves sees Dennis Rodman as sports idol [Providence Journal]

Ellsbury leaves game after being hit [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Bad habits bedeviling Gonzalez’s swing [Providence Journal]

Relieving or starting, Aceves invaluable to Sox [RedSox.com]

The predictably unpredictable Alfredo Aceves [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 to the Kansas City Star and the Topeka Capital-Journal 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

Jerome Junior Says Sixth In Big East: “Not Going To Happen” [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Safeties Expect To Improve Under Coach Don Brown [Hartford Courant]

Shakim Phillips: Former NJ football star transferring to UConn [Metro.us]

Who The Heck Is Pitt Playing: UConn Edition [Cardiac Hill]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Battle 4 Atlantis Schedule Announced [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Huskies Beat Italian Select 98-52; Enjoy Another Day in Rome [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Red Sox’ first overall draft pick Matt Barnes ‘living a dream’ [Full Count]

Baseball. Springer Takes Initial Cuts With Astros [Hartford Courant]

Jeff Hathaway Retires As UConn Director of Athletics [UConnHuskies.com]

Statement from NCAA on Hathaway’s committee slot [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Hathaway’s legacy up for debate [CT Post]

Writing was on the wall for Hathaway’s ouster [CT Post]

UConn’s Hathaway Years: Fun While They Lasted [Hartford Courant]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Opens Regular Season Action With Loss to Northeastern, 2-1 [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Northeastern spoils UConn’s season opener, 2-1 [Norwich Bulletin]

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