After salvaging the finale in Pittsburgh on Sunday, the Boston Red Sox head to the City of Brotherly Love in what is being billed as a potential World Series preview. The Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies will square off tonight in the first of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Phillies television market, you can catch the game on Philadelphia 17. If you don’t live in either market you may be in luck as the MLB Network is scheduled to show 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.

After being scratched before his last start, Josh Beckett returns after the layoff to make his 15th start of 2011. In his previous 14 starts, Beckett is 6-2 with a 1.86 ERA. He didn’t face the Phillies in 2010. Beckett has made 19 career appearances (17 starts) against the Phils and is 8-4 with a 3.98 ERA. He’s made eight appearances (seven starts) in Philly and is 2-3 with a 4.83 ERA. Beckett is 2-1 with a 4.71 ERA in three starts as a member of the Red Sox against the Phillies.

Cliff Lee makes his 17th start of 2011 for the Phillies tonight. In his previous 16 starts, Lee is 8-5 with a 2.87 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010 as a member of the Texas Rangers, picking up a no decision after allowing two runs in nine innings of work. He’s made 10 career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-4 with a 4.06 ERA. In 33 innings this month, Lee has allowed just one earned run while going 4-0.

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

Here are tonight’s lineups:

45-32		49-30
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Jimmy Rollins	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Placido Polanco	3B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Chase Utley	2B
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Ryan Howard	1B
5. Darnell McDonald	LF	5. Shane Victorino	CF
6. Jason Varitek	C	6. Raul Ibanez	LF
7. Mike Cameron	RF	7. Domonic Brown	RF
8. Marco Scutaro	SS	8. Carlos Ruiz	C
9. Josh Beckett	P	9. Cliff Lee	P

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

Bobby Jenks and Franklin Morales have been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list. Scott Atchison will have to clear procedural waivers before being optioned back to Pawtucket. Tommy Hottovy was optioned to Pawtucket as well.

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

He recalls Philly fondly [Boston Globe]

It’s just another in a series of challenges [Boston Globe]

Clash could be Classic [Boston Herald]

Disadvantaged Kevin Youkilis [Boston Herald]

Hype beyond midseason form as Red Sox head to Philly [Boston Herald]

Ex-coach: Adrian Gonzalez one smart slugger [Boston Herald]

See you in the World Series? Not quite yet [Boston Herald]

Red-hot tickets for Red Sox vs. Phillies series [Boston Herald]

How will Josh Beckett respond on 12 days rest? [Boston Herald]

Lefty reliever Franklin Morales activated to face Phillies [Clubhouse Insider]

Pregame notes: Updates on Crawford, Buchholz, Drew [Clubhouse Insider]

Source: Ortiz to play first tomorrow [Clubhouse Insider]

Phillies series not a World Series preview [CSNNE.com]

Runs could be hard to come by vs. Phillies [ESPN Boston]

Beckett vs. Lee a historically good matchup [ESPN Boston]

Beckett, Lee face off in Sox-Phils opener [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox can’t think World Series yet vs. Philadelphia Phillies [ESPN Boston]

Dropkick Murphys and Mighty, Mighty BossTones at Fenway Park Sept. 8 and 9 [Extra Bases]

Sox taking time with Buchholz, Crawford [Extra Bases]

Gonzalez to the OF? No decision yet [Extra Bases]

Here’s why Darnell McDonald is hitting fifth [Extra Bases]

David Ortiz to play first base tomorrow [Extra Bases]

Scouting the Phillies: Position-by-position breakdown [Full Count]

John Kruk on M&M: ‘Feeling-out’ process during Red Sox-Phillies series [Full Count]

Dennis Eckersley on M&M: John Lackey is ‘disturbing to watch’ [Full Count]

Tommy Hottovy: ‘I’d do [road to majors] all over again’ [Full Count]

Adrian Gonzalez Stays Strong at Home, on the Road by Eating Healthy, Planning Meals Ahead [NESN.com]

Red Sox Mailbag: Sox Could Consider Hunter Pence, Andre Ethier As Potential Trade Targets [NESN.com]

Bobby Jenks, Franklin Morales Seek Fresh Start in Red Sox Bullpen [NESN.com]

Video: Phillies’ Dominant Starting Rotation Has Helped Ease Worries About Questionable Bullpen [NESN.com]

Video: Jimmy Rollins Thinks Adrian Gonzalez May Be Baseball’s Best Player, Says ‘All He Does Is Rake’ [NESN.com]

Interleague Quickies [Nuggetpalooza]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Phillies and RED SOX-PHILLIES! [Projo Sox Blog]

Francona still agonizing over Gonzalez-Ortiz dilemma [Projo Sox Blog]

No timetables for Buchholz or Crawford [Projo Sox Blog]

Jenks, Morales activated from DL [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox ready to put Lackey disaster behind them [Projo Sox Blog]

Phillies see Boston visit as good measuring stick [Providence Journal]

By moving up Hamels for Sox series, Phillies stir up the pot [Providence Journal]

Beckett’s cutter treating him well this season [Providence Journal]

When Sox meet Phils, it’ll be battle of the best [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: A look at Sox free-agents-to-be [Providence Journal]

Shades of October as Red Sox hit Philly [RedSox.com]

Beckett returns to face Phils after long layoff [RedSox.com]

Jonathan Papelbon. Justin Masterson. Daniel Bard. Now Andrew Miller? [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

In Red Sox rotation, the squeeze is on [Tony Massrotti – Boston Globe]

Photo credits: AP Photo, Getty Images

With the American League All-Star team voting winding down on Thursday at 11:59 p.m. EST, Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury still finds himself sitting on the outside looking in at a starting spot.

Last week, Ellsbury found himself trailing Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers by 173,000 votes. This week, Ellsbury trails by just 121,000 votes. Injured Red Sox OF Carl Crawford sits in fifth and trails Hamilton by 875,000 votes while J.D. Drew is a distant 10th 1.7 million votes behind.

Adrian Gonzalez has increased his lead over Mark Teixeira by about a million votes and unless something kooky happens, he should be the AL starting first baseman. The same goes for David Ortiz who leads Michael Young by about two million votes for the starting DH position.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia finds himself in fourth at catcher but is 1.2 million votes behind Russell Martin. Dustin Pedroia is still in second at second base but is 1.8 million votes behind Robinson Cano.

Kevin Youkilis sits in third place about a million votes behind Alex Rodriguez at third. And finally, Marco Scutaro remains in fifth at shortstop as he trails Derek Jeter by 2.2 million votes.

I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to vote, especially for Ellsbury. He’s had a heck of a season and deserves to be the starter. So do whatever you can to help him get there.

Since the Red Sox are partnering up with the San Francisco Giants in the NL, be sure to Vote the Ticket! and get our boys to starting positions at the 2011 MLB All-Star Game. Get that vote in by 11:59 p.m. Thursday night.

The 2011 MLB All-Star Teams will be released on Sunday, July 3rd on TBS beginning at 12 p.m.

For a full look at the vote totals, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page

2011 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR BALLOTING (as of June 28)

CATCHER

Russell Martin, Yankees: 2,779,592

Alex Avila, Tigers: 2,345,065

Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,699,604

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: 1,505,143

Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: 1,309,802

FIRST BASE

Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox: 4,014,722

Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 3,077,242

Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 2,184,480

Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,209,258

Paul Konerko, White Sox: 932,422

SECOND BASE

Robinson Cano, Yankees: 4,724,816

Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 2,979,181

Ian Kinsler, Rangers: 1,896,259

Orlando Cabrera, Indians: 1,127,840

Ben Zobrist, Rays: 963,481

THIRD BASE

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees: 3,735,406

Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 2,935,373

Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox: 2,724,286

Evan Longoria, Rays: 2,000,379

Brandon Inge, Tigers: 633,519

SHORTSTOP

Derek Jeter, Yankees: 3,392,128

Asdrubal Cabrera, Indians: 2,885,778

Elvis Andrus, Rangers: 1,971,514

Jhonny Peralta, Tigers: 1,178,114

Marco Scutaro, Red Sox: 1,099,744

DESIGNATED HITTER

David Ortiz, Red Sox: 4,237,014

Michael Young, Rangers: 2,235,504

Jorge Posada, Yankees: 1,453,385

Victor Martinez, Tigers: 1,234,879

Johnny Damon, Rays: 1,028,366

OUTFIELD

Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 5,263,840

Curtis Granderson, Yankees: 4,582,419

Josh Hamilton, Rangers: 3,173,000

Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: 3,051,675

Carl Crawford, Red Sox: 2,294,337

Nelson Cruz, Rangers: 1,912,783

Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners: 1,912,062

Nick Swisher, Yankees: 1,648,599

Brett Gardner, Yankees: 1,499,367

J.D. Drew, Red Sox: 1,428,367

Matthew Joyce, Rays: 1,226,439

Jeff Francoeur, Royals: 1,061,445

David Murphy, Rangers: 1,057,887

Grady Sizemore, Indians: 1,033,014

Shin-Soo Choo, Indians: 924,326

In case you were wondering, here are the NL All-Star voting totals.

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.

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 Men’s Basketball links

Majok Wowed Lakers in Italy [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Alex Oriakhi, El Capitan [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Daniels Arrives at UConn [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Five Players That Need To Improve [UConn Huskies Basketball]

After considering leaving for pros, Lamb aiming high again at UConn [CT Post]

Walker goes No. 9 in draft to Charlotte Bobcats [CT Post]

Joining NBA a dream come true, and Walker will keep working [CT Post]

For several reasons, Calhoun will coach again [CT Post]

UConn Bust Ater Majok A Curious Pick By Los Angeles Lakers [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Kemba Walker chosen 9th by the Bobcats [The Day]

UConn’s Kemba lands with Bobcats [NY Post]

Drummond won’t play for UConn in 2011 [Andy Katz – ESPN.com]

KEY RETURNEES GEAR UP TO DEFEND NATIONAL TITLE FOR UCONN [NBE Basketball Report]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

UConn incoming freshmen meet with the media [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Moore reflects on another special honor [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

The UConn Impact On The WNBA [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis And The Story Of No. 23 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Greatest Hits From UConn Freshmen Media Meet And Greet [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Caroline Doty Definitely Coming Back For 5th Year [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Caroline Doty Is Again Ready To Lead The Huskies [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Auriemma Holds Court At His Charity Golf Classic – Part 1 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Auriemma Holds Court – Part 2 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Auriemma Holds Court – Part 3 (The Big East Tournament) [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Some Thoughts About UConn Women, Big East And WNBA [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Stokes, Mosqueda-Lewis Ready To Take Next Step [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Mosqueda-Lewis Will Be 12th UConn Player To Wear No. 23 [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Auriemma’s Golf Tournament Still A Hit In Its 9th Year [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn women: The freshmen (a video gallery) [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]

Freshmen Stokes, Mosqueda-Lewis excited to help UConn women [CT Post]

Auriemma helps raise money for children with golf tourney [CT Post]

Freshmen Mosqueda-Lewis, Stokes, Banks Get A Taste Of UConn Basketball [Hartford Courant]

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis: The Next Great One At UConn [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Doty Expects To Be Cleared To Play Without Any Limitation Friday [Hartford Courant]

Auriemma Set For Busy Summer [Hartford Courant]

Freshmen work toward their debut [New Haven Register]

UConn Football links

Big East impact true freshmen [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East position rankings: O-Line [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Taking the temperature in the Big East [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Offensive Coordinator George DeLeone Talks Camps [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Commit No.9 Confirmed: DB Michael Ellis Marder (Orlando, Fla.) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

DeLeone On A Job Well Done At UConn And… The Next Level [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

DeLeone On: The Advantage Of Installing A Multiple System [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Man Who Posed Threats After Jazz Killing Gets Probation [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

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

Getting To Know A UConn Football Coach: Hank Hughes [Hartford Courant]

UConn Offensive Coordinator DeLeone Plans Diverse Attack [Hartford Courant]

Spotlight On UConn Football Player: Dwayne Gratz [Hartford Courant]

Spotlight On A UConn Football Opponent: Western Michigan [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Three Huskies Named ABCA/Rawlings All-Americans [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. LJ Mazzilli On USA National Collegiate Team [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Former Husky Mike Tarsi thriving back in Connecticut [New Haven Register]

W. Ice Hockey. Linstad Announces 2011-12 Women’s Ice Hockey Schedule [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Bolles and Davidson Star in Junior National Field Hockey Championship [UConnHuskies.com]

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

Pawtucket Red Sox

Despite being outhit 9-4, the PawSox picked up a 4-1 win over the Indianapolis Indians.

PawSox Take Finale in Indy, Finish Trip 5-3 [PawSox.com]

Spears powers Pawtucket to victory [Providence Journal]

Pawtucket Red Sox @ Indianapolis Indians 6.27.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2011 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

Junichi Tazawa was roughed up in the Sea Dogs 15-5 loss to the New Britain Rock Cats.

Junichi Tazawa’s bump on the comeback trail [Portland Press Herald]

Portland Smashes Three Homers in Loss [OurSports Central]

New Britain Rock Cats @ Portland Sea Dogs 6.27.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Portland Sea Dogs 2011 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs stats

Eastern League Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans rallied with four runs in the 8th to steal a 10-8 win from Salem.

Grandmother is Salem’s biggest baseball fan [Roanoke Times]

Sox Offense Good, But Not Good Enough [OurSports Central]

Myrtle Beach Pelicans @ Salem Red Sox 6.27.11 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’s rally fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Asheville Tourists.

Drive Come Up Short Versus Tourists, 3-2 [OurSports Central]

Asheville Tourists @ Greenville Drive 6.27.11 box score [MiLB.com]

Greenville Drive 2011 Roster

Greenvillle Drive stats

South Atlantic League standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

The Spinners got three runs in the 6th for a 4-2 win over the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Back-to-back blasts power Spinners to win [LowellSpinners.com]

Digging long ball in Lowell [Lowell Sun]

Vermont Lake Monsters @ Lowell Spinners 6.27.11 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

The GCL Rays got a run in the 12th to beat the GCL Red Sox 6-5.

GCL Rays @ GCL Red Sox 6.27.11 box score [MiLB.com]

GCL Red Sox 2011 Roster

GCL Red Sox stats

Gulf Coast League Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Former UConn Huskies women’s basketball All-American Maya Moore has been named the top female collegiate athlete for the second straight year.

Here’s the release from The Collegiate Women Sports Awards:

The Collegiate Women Sports Awards today announced that Maya Moore, University of Connecticut basketball star and current forward for the WNBA Minnesota Lynx, has won the Honda-Broderick Cup, designating her as the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Moore’s history-making win is only the second time in all 35 years of the program that an athlete has won the Honda-Broderick Cup twice (swimmer Tracy Caulkins,1982 and ’84), and she is the first-ever back-to-back winner. The announcement was made in the Low Library Rotunda at Columbia University in New York City.

The other two “Top Three” finalists for the 2011 award included distance runner Sheila Reid from Villanova University, a two-time Honda Sports Award winner this year (cross country and track & field) and Blair Brown from Penn State University (volleyball).

Moore was selected as the winner of the Honda-Broderick Cup by a voting of nearly 1,000 NCAA member schools and the Board of Directors of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards Program. Previous winners include: basketball superstar Candace Parker (2008), track and field legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1985), soccer great Mia Hamm (1994) and volleyball star Misty May (1999). Last year, Maya shared the award in a rare tie with Penn State volleyball player Megan Hodge.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

 

Moore was the #1 draft pick for the WNBA this year. She was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, and grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She was a Honda Sports Award nominee in all four years of her college career. Maya led her team to four Final Four appearances, two national titles and a 150-4 record. She is the fourth-leading scorer in NCAA history, with 3,036 points. Honored as the Capital One University Division Academic All-American of the Year and BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2010 and 2011, Moore was also selected as a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2009. A three-time WBCA Wade Trophy honoree and four-time WBCA State Farm First Team All-American, she won the Naismith Trophy, the Associated Press Player of the Year Award and the USBWA Player of the Year Award in 2009 and 2011. She was also the John R. Wooden Award honoree in 2009 and 2011.

Moore is one of only two players to earn AP First Team All-America status in each of her four years in college. She is the winner of the 2010-11 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for women’s basketball, was honored as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2010 NCAA Tournament and voted Most Outstanding Player of the Philadelphia Regional (2011), the Dayton Regional (2010) and the Trenton Regional (2009). She was also named BIG EAST Player of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and the 2009 and 2011 BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Moore finished her college career with 50 double-doubles and registered double-figure points in an NCAA record 149 games.

A student athlete whose academic prowess matches her outstanding achievement on the basketball court, Moore holds a 3.669 GPA in sports media and promotion. She is the winner of the NCAA Elite 88 Award for achieving the highest GPA of all student-athletes competing in the Final Four.

The New York awards ceremony was hosted by ESPN SportsCenter’s Sage Steele and was also attended by former Columbia University swimmer Cristina Teuscher, winner of the 2000 Honda-Broderick Cup and Olympic Gold Medalist.

 

After losing their final two games at home, the Boston Red Sox are on the road for a three city, nine-game trip through the National League. The trip begins tonight at PNC Park in Pittsburgh as they’ll take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first game of a three-game set.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Pirates television market, you can catch the game on ROOT Sports. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

After failing to get an MLB-best 10th win in his last start, Jon Lester will try again in his 16th start of 2011. In his previous 15 starts, Lester is 9-3 with a 3.70 ERA. Tonight will mark his first career start against the Pirates. Lester is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in two interleague starts this year. In his career, Lester is 8-3 with a 3.02 ERA in 15 interleague starts.

Paul Maholm makes his 16th start of the season for skipper Clint Hurdle. In his previous 15 starts, Maholm is 3-8 with a 3.29 ERA. He’s never faced the Red Sox in his career.  He is 0-2 with a 4.63 ERA in two interleague starts this season. In his career, Maholm is 4-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 17 intereleague starts.

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

Here are tonight’s lineups:

44-30		37-37
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Jose Tabata	LF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Chase d’Arnaud	3B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Andrew McCutchen	CF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Neil Walker	2B
5. Darnell McDonald	LF	5. Matt Diaz	RF
6. Mike Cameron	RF	6. Lyle Overbay	1B
7. Jason Varitek	C	7. Ronny Cedeno	SS
8. Marco Scutaro	SS	8. Michael McKenry	C
9. Jon Lester	P	9. Paul Maholm	P

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

Reliever Michael Bowden has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. He’s been replaced on the 25-man roster by Scott Atchison.

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

Inter-league intrigue on tap for Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Some Sox-Pirates storylines [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox recall Scott Atchison and option Michael Bowden to Pawtucket [Extra Bases]

Kevin Millar on M&M: ‘Right field’s not that big of a deal; I played right field’ [Full Count]

Pirates Fans, Other Followers of Losing Clubs Can Stay Optimistic by Gambling, Watching ‘Good Will Hunting’ [NESN.com]

Top 10 Things to Watch For During Red Sox’ Nine-Game Interleague Road Trip [NESN.com]

Video: Go Behind the Scenes as Bruins Thrill Red Sox, Fenway Fans With Stanley Cup [NESN.com]

Friday Nuggetpalooza! [Nuggetpalooza]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Pirates and Rematches of Yore [NESN.com]

Lester goes for 10th victory against Bucs [RedSox.com]

Big Papi not in lineup for series opener vs. Bucs [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

After being named a finalist for the 2011 USA Basketball U-19 team last week, UConn Huskies sophomore guard Jeremy Lamb has officially made the team.

Here’s the release from USA Basketball:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Basketball today announced its official 12-man roster for the USA U19 World Championship Team. The USA squad, featuring five players with prior USA Basketball experience, will look to defend the gold medal won by the U.S. in 2009 at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.

Named a member of the 2011 USA U19 World Championship Team were: Keith Appling (Michigan State/Detroit, Mich.); James Bell (Villanova/Orlando, Fla.); Anthony Brown (Stanford/Huntington Beach, Calif.); Jahii Carson (Mesa High School/*Arizona State/Phoenix, Ariz.); Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Michigan/Miami, Fla.); Joe Jackson (Memphis/Memphis, Tenn.); Jeremy Lamb (Connecticut/ Norcross, Ga.); Meyers Leonard (Illinois/Robinson, Ill.); Khyle Marshall (Butler/Davie, Fla.); Doug McDermott (Creighton/Ames, Iowa); Tony Mitchell (North Texas/Dallas, Texas); and Patric Young (Florida/Jacksonville, Fla.).

George Mason University mentor Paul Hewitt is head coach of the USA U19 World Championship Team, and is being assisted by collegiate head coaches Randy Bennett of St. Mary’s College and Cliff Warren of Jacksonville University.

“I like the depth and versatility of this team, in particular our big guys. I think our big guys are a great presence around the basket and do an excellent job of screening,” said Hewitt. “Defense will have to be a staple for this team and we have work to do. I’m not happy with where we are defensively. I think we made steps, we’re doing some good things, but in order to compete for the gold medal we have to get better.

“The selection was harder than I expected. The young man we decided not to keep, Javon McCrae, it was really just a numbers situation, he played more than well enough to make the team. We just didn’t feel comfortable going over there without three point guards,” Hewitt stated.

The team will complete its domestic training Thursday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., and then depart for Europe on June 24. The USA squad will train June 25-28 in Lithuania. The Americans will face the Lithuania U20 National Team in an exhibition game on June 26 in Panevrzys, Lithuania, and then meet the Lithuania U19 National Team on June 28 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men is being held June 30-July 10 in Valmiera, Liepaja and Riga, Latvia.

To continue reading click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

“The exhibition games are very important because they will help get us adjusted to the type environment we’ll be playing in,” said Hewitt about the USA’s two “friendlies” in Lithuania. “The teams we’re going to be playing there are obviously going to be more organized in their approach offensively and defensively, and they’re going to test us. We’re going to have to think. Right now I think we’re doing it a lot on physical ability. I see some cohesiveness coming together but the two exhibition games in Lithuania will definitely test our cohesiveness.

“Even if we win a game, we’ve got to take a approach that it’s like a practice and take a look at the things we didn’t do well and see how we can improve on them. Certainly we need to keep building on our strengths but from game to game we’ve got to get something out of it that we can use to help us get ready for the next game,” added Hewitt.

Five of the finalists possess prior USA Basketball experience including two players from the 2010 USA U18 National Team that captured gold at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Mitchell and Young were part of USA Basketball’s 2010 U18 team, while Leonard and Young participated on the USA Junior National Select Team that won the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit. Other players possessing prior USA Basketball trials experience included Appling and Bell, while Jackson was invited to the 2010 U17 Trials but was unable to participate.

Featured on the U.S. roster are 11 student-athletes who attended 11 different NCAA Division I schools in 2010-11 and one player (Carson) who completed his high school career this year. Eight conferences have representation on the USA roster as well.

Lamb helped lead the University of Connecticut to the 2011 NCAA title and along the way was named to the NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team after averaging 16.2 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. Marshall was a freshman for NCAA runner-up Butler.

Five athletes listed among their NCAA conference all-freshman squads following the 2010-11 season, including McDermott who was named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year and Freshman of the Year. Additionally, Jackson collected MVP honors for the Conference USA Tournament, Lamb was named to the Big East Conference All-Tournament Team and McDermott was also named All-Missouri Valley Conference first team.

Named to their respective conference all-freshman teams were: Brown (Pac-10), Hardaway (Big Ten), Lamb (Big East), McDermott (Missouri Valley) and Young (Southeastern).

Additionally, McDermott was named to the USBWA Freshman All-America second team, while Hardaway, McDermott and Young were each named to the 2011 CollegeInsider.com Freshman All-American Team.

FIBA U19 World Championship
Led by then University of Oklahoma head coach Jeff Capel, the 2010 USA U18 National Team secured the USA’s berth to the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship with a 5-0 and gold medal finish in its zone qualifier, the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, held June 26-30 in San Antonio, Texas.

Sixteen nations will battle for the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Men title June 30-July 10 in Latvia. The United States has been placed in Group D, along with China, Egypt and Serbia. The 12 remaining 19-and-under national teams were distributed as such: Group A includes Brazil, Poland, Russia and Tunisia; Group B consists of Argentina, Australia, Latvia and Taiwan; and Group C is comprised of Canada, Croatia, Lithuania and South Korea.

The U.S. squad’s preliminary round slate opens with a June 30 contest against Egypt, followed by Serbia on July 1, and the USA squad will conclude preliminary play July 2 versus China. The top three teams from each preliminary group will qualify for the preliminary second round, while the fourth place teams will qualify for the classification round to determine 13th to 16th places.

The 12 teams who qualify for the second round, which will be played July 4-6, will be divided into groups E and F, with six teams in each group. The top three preliminary round teams from groups A and B will advance to Group E, and the top three from C and D will advance to Group F. Each team will play the three new teams in its new group, with the final scores of all games played in the preliminary round carrying over to determine the second round standings.

Teams finishing in first through fourth places in the two second round groups will qualify for the quarterfinals, with the opportunity to advance to the semifinals and finals. Teams finishing in fifth and sixth places in Groups E and F will play for ninth through 12th places. The quarterfinals will be held on July 8, semifinals are slated for July 9 and the gold and bronze medal games, as well as the 5th/6th place and 7th/8th place games will be contested on July 10.

Originally known as the FIBA Junior World Championship, the tournament was held every four years from 1979 – 2007. Starting in 2009 FIBA changed its calendar and now holds age-based world championships every other year. USA men’s teams are 62-11 in the U19/Junior World Championships, and have won four gold and three silver medals, most recently earning the gold medal for the first time since 1991 with a 9-0 record in 2009.

USA U19 World Championship for Men Players of note include: Stacey Augmon (1987), Vin Baker (1991), Michael Beasley (2007), Dee Brown (2003), Vince Carter (1995), Nick Collison (1999), Seth Curry (2009), Stephen Curry (2007), Paul Davis (2003), Eric Floyd (1979), Jonny Flynn (2007), Ashton Gibbs (2009), Gordon Hayward (2009), Larry Johnson (1987), Stephon Marbury (1995), Gary Payton (1987), Sam Perkins (1979), Wesley Person (1991), Kevin Pittsnogle (2003), J.J. Redick (2003), Bobby Simmons (1999), Scott Skiles (1983), Tyshawn Taylor (2009), Howard Thompkins (2009), Deron Williams (2003) and James Worthy (1979).

Mother Nature tried to do her absolute best to try and erase John Lackey‘s craptastic start for the Boston Red Sox against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon. But not even she could help out Lackey and the Red Sox as they fell 5-1 to the San Diego Padres.

Fortunately for the Red Sox, the New York Yankees split their doubleheader with the Cincinnati Reds so they maintain a ½ game lead over the Yanks for first in the AL East. The Rays are 3.5 games behind in third place.

It’s a well known that I’m not a big fan of Lackey at all. Yes I know he’s got some personal issues going on this season but I wasn’t his biggest fan last season either. Sometimes I wonder if he’s a “paycheck player”. And by that I mean does he really care about anything else besides collecting his paycheck twice a month.

He missed the better part of two weeks earlier in the season with an elbow strain and said it won’t get any better without rest and cortisone shots. Now I know the Red Sox have some pitching issues right now with Daisuke Matsuzaka out for the season and Clay Buchholz having a bad back. That’s not to mention the intestinal fortitude issues Josh Beckett is going through.

But would the Red Sox be better served without Lackey in their rotation. I highly doubt he makes it through the rest of 3.5 years here. At some point Theo Epstein will have to realize his mistake and jettison Lackey off to parts unknown. Maybe Lackey can turn things around. Maybe he won’t. My money is on the latter.

He certainly didn’t help himself yesterday after the second rain delay of the afternoon. The scariest part of it all was the fact the Padres had just two hits to pick up four runs in the 4th inning.

Lackey walked Orlando Hudson then hit Anthony Rizzo with a pitch. The speedy Cameron Maybin beat out a sacrifice bunt to load up the sacks. Lackey got Nick Hundley to strikeout but then he walked Will Venable to force in a run. He followed that up by hitting his second batter of the inning in Jason Bartlett to force in another run.

With Chase Headley at the plate, Lackey uncorked a wild pitch to bring in the third run of the inning which made it 4-0. Headley then finished off Lackey’s afternoon with a single to finish off the scoring for the Padres on the day with a single that scored Venable.

Now you know that Lackey was probably praying for the rain to cancel in the game in the top of the 5th when Michael Bowden was out there pitching in an absolute downpour while the base umpires and the Red Sox infield were standing in puddles. He did get his rain delay but unfortunately Mother Nature provided a window to allow the two teams to finish up the game.

You can’t blame Lackey entirely for the loss (99.999999%). That other miniscule percent can go on the offense who left another nine batters on base and was just 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Unfortunately only one of those hits resulted in a run and that came off the bat of Adrian Gonzalez who scorched his former team for four hits on the day.

Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia continued their recent hot stretches at the plate adding two hits each to the cause.

This was one of the NL’s worst teams that came into Beantown and they escaped with two wins against the AL’s best team. A team who had been putting up runs on the scoreboard like it was nobody’s business. But poor starting pitching over the last two games on top of missed opportunities doomed the Red Sox.

No worries though for me on the team front. It’s just the 5th loss this month and the Sox are still in first place. But with the dog days of summer coming up, the pitching needs to find itself again and go on another nice little run.

With the Red Sox being off today as they make their way to the Steel City, we’ll be back later with the pitching matchups for the weekend. But for now, enjoy the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below.

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

Is there hope for John Lackey? [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sloppy Sox slip and slide [Boston Globe]

A student of the game [Boston Globe]

Lackey has tenuous grip [Boston Globe]

John Lackey, Red Sox all wet [Boston Herald]

John Lackey left at a loss to explain poor start [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett bid left hanging [Boston Herald]

Red Sox washed out by Padres, 5-1 [CSNNE.com]

Lackey loses stuff in wet conditions [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Lowrie (shoulder) will not have surgery [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Padres 5, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]

Less likely Boston Red Sox’ Josh Beckett starts Saturday due to flu [ESPN Boston]

John Lackey, Boston Red Sox have dismal time with San Diego Padres [ESPN Boston]

Cafardo: A disappointing series [Extra Bases]

Podcast: Injuries, pitching and more [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Lackey’s dismal outing leads Sox to loss vs. Padres [Full Count]

Video: Kevin Youkilis Ready to ‘Turn the Page’ After Red Sox Drop Tough Series to Padres [NESN.com]

Persistent Rain, Pesky Padres Sink John Lackey, Red Sox at Fenway [NESN.com]

Boston drops ugly one in series finale [Providence Journal]

Lackey isn’t winning the PR game either [Providence Journal]

Boston vets Hoyer, McLeod turn to young players to build Padres [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Putting Gonzalez in right not an easy choice [Providence Journal]

Adrian playing the park, park’s not playing him [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the North Coast Times and San Diego Union-Tribune website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother RJ’s Fro.

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.

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 Men’s Basketball links

Ollie Not Hiding Under a Rock [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Golf is no Fool’s Game [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Pre-draft talk with Walker [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

Kemba Walker Meets Media In New York [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Kemba Walker At NBA Draft Media Availability [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Former BIG EAST Stars Ready for NBA Draft [BigEast.org]

On eve of NBA draft, Kemba Walker says he’s ready [CT Post]

Draft expert figures Raptors, Kings likely to pick UConn’s Walker [CT Post]

Walker ready to contribute in NBA [CT Post]

UConn’s Kemba Walker ‘Excited, Nervous, Ready’ For NBA Draft [Hartford Courant]

Kemba Walker’s Milestones At UConn [Hartford Courant]

Kemba Walker could go anywhere, but his coaches say whoever gets him will get a gem [New Haven Register]

Today’s the day for Kemba Walker [The Day]

Walker a winner, for better or worse [TrueHoop]

Kemba Walker: 2011 NBA Draft Media Interview [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Dailey finishes strong at Pro-Am [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Moore among top three for Honda-Broderick Cup [CT Post]

UConn Football links

Big East title chances: Connecticut [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Commit No.8: Elijah “EJ” Norris DE/OLB Archbishop Carroll (DC) [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

DC also answered a few questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Football: Evaluating The Tight Ends [Hartford Courant]

UConn Football Ranked as Worst BCS Bowl Team [NBC Connecticut]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Jim Penders [UConnHuskies.com]

The San Diego Padres were the recipients of the same thing one of their pitchers did on Monday night. And that is take advantage of control issues from Alfredo Aceves.

Aceves appeared to be cruising along in the 2nd inning having retired Orlando Hudson and Anthony Rizzo. Then the wheels on the bus fell off for him.

He walked Cameron Maybin, Nick Hundley and Chris Denorfia to load the bases. He followed that up by walking Jason Bartlett and Chase Headley to force in two runs that put the Padres out front 2-1. Aceves ran into more trouble in the 3rd inning when he allowed two more runs on after getting the first two outs of the inning.

Rizzo doubled and came around to score on a Maybin single. After a Maybin stolen bases, Hundley brought him in with a double.

The Red Sox did battle back though getting a run in the bottom half of the 3rd when Jacoby Ellsbury singled in Josh Reddick who had led off with a triple. It would be Reddick’s RBI double that  scored Jarrod Saltalamacchia getting the Red Sox to within a run in the 4th inning.

They would finally tie up in the 6th inning when Adrian Gonzalez burned his former team for a single that scored Marco Scutaro. And as quick as the Red Sox tied it up, the Padres retook the lead in the 7th.

Dan Wheeler has struggled for the most part in his first season with the Red Sox. He left the game with the bases loaded for Daniel Bard.

Bard did his job by getting a ground ball to Gonzalez at first off the bat of Rizzo. Unfortunately Gonzalez bobbled it and couldn’t throw home allowing Headley to score. Gonzalez did get the out at first but the damage had been done.

Obviously the control issues for Aceves are a big concern but considering the fact he was making the spot start for Josh Beckett on short notice, you have to be pleased that the Red Sox were still in the game when he departed. As good as Aceves had been as a starter, last night’s effort shows he might be best suited for the Red Sox bullpen going forward.

Offensively, leaving runners in scoring position ultimately hurt the Red Sox last night. They left 13 runners on base and were just 3-for-13 with RISP. If you think back to how good this offensive has been as of late, we can only hope that last night was just a blip in the radar.

All things considered though, the Red Sox are still playing great baseball. Last night’s loss was just their fourth of the month (14-4).

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.

After walking the San Diego Padres to victory last night, the Boston Red Sox look to take the series in the rubber game of a three-game set at Fenway Park.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and you can watch the game on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Padres television market, you can catch the game on Channel 4 SD. 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 for his fourth straight win since returning from the disabled list in his 11th start of 2011. In his previous 10 starts, Lackey is 5-5 with a 7.02 ERA. He will be making his first career start against the Padres this afternoon. In 30 career interleague appearances (29 starts), Lackey is 15-5 with a 3.02 ERA. He made four interleague starts for the Red Sox in 2010 and was 2-1 with a 5.11 ERA. In his lone interleague start of 2011 which came in his last time on the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers, Lackey picked up the win after allowing four runs in eight innings of work.

Clayton Richard makes his 16th start of the season for the Padres and reaches a milestone mark of 100 career appearances today. In his previous 15 starts, Richard is 2-9 with a 4.35 ERA. This will be his second career appearance (first start) against the Red Sox. In his only appearance out of the Chicago White Sox bullpen back in 2008 at Fenway Park, he allowed one run in one inning of work. In two interleague starts this year, Richard is 0-2 with a 7.20 ERA (8 ER/10 IP). As a member of the Padres, Richard is 1-3 with a 4.50 ERA in five starts during interleague play.

Here are this afternoon’s lineups:

31-44		44-29
1. Will Venable	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Jason Bartlett	SS	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Chase Headley	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Ryan Ludwick	LF	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Jesus Guzman	DH	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Orlando Hudson	2B	6. Darnell McDonald	LF
7. Anthony Rizzo	1B	7. Drew Sutton	SS
8. Cameron Maybin	CF	8. Jason Varitek	C
9. Nick Hundley	C	9. Mike Cameron	RF
Clayton Richard	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

Ready for Reddick? Why outfielder may need more playing time [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sox go belly up in loss [Boston Globe]

Hoping to fill some gaps in baseball [Boston Globe]

Special teamers [Boston Globe]

Reddick’s time is right now [Boston Globe]

Stomach bug bites Beckett [Boston Globe]

Red Sox run out of runs [Boston Herald]

Alfredo Aceves totally out of control [Boston Herald]

Anthony Rizzo does homework on ex-teammate Daniel Bard [Boston Herald]

Tim Wakefield happy to make pitch in Pittsburgh [Boston Herald]

Jacoby in speed trap [Boston Herald]

Idea of Reddick helping not off Wall [Boston Herald]

Sox cover bases with Spanish social media [Boston Herald]

Francona on The Dan Patrick Show [CSN Chicago]

Aceves loses control in spot start vs. Padres [CSNNE.com]

Sox in a hole without DH in N.L. parks [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Sox pitchers start taking batting practice [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Gonzalez to OF giving Francona “anxiety” [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Padres 5, Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Josh Reddick making strides [ESPN Boston]

Video: State of the Nation [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox pregame notes [ESPN Boston]

Pregame notes from Fenway [Extra Bases]

Scutaro scratched; Sutton at SS [Extra Bases]

Red Sox have turned around early woes [FoxSports.com]

Terry Francona, Jon Lester and the art of saving ‘gas in the tank’ [Full Count]

Closing Time: Padres 5, Red Sox 4 [Full Count]

Pitching coach David Ortiz has some words of advice for Alfredo Aceves [Full Count]

The decline of J.D. Drew? [Full Count]

Dave Roberts on D&C: Padres don’t want to rush Casey Kelly to majors [Full Count]

Peter Gammons on M&M: ‘Dangerous’ to put Adrian Gonzalez in outfield [Full Count]

Red Sox still wrestling with decision on Gonzalez in outfield on NL swing [Full Count]

Having To Play 9 Games By Someone Else’s Rules [Hartford Courant]

Adrian Gonzalez, Anthony Rizzo and The Trade [Hartford Courant]

Video: Dave Roberts Enjoying Teaching Aspect of Coaching, Says He’s Forever in Debt to Red Sox Organization [NESN.com]

Video: Theo Epstein Still Unsure About Jed Lowrie’s Health Status, But Hopeful He’ll Be Able to Return Before Long [NESN.com]

Red Sox Pitchers Getting Their Swings In As They Prepare for Trips to National League Parks [NESN.com]

Alfredo Aceves’ Control Issues, Wasted Scoring Chances Doom Red Sox Against Padres [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Can’t Explain Rare Stolen Base Against Padres [NESN.com]

Rick Peterson Excited to See ‘Moneyball,’ Has Ideas How Jon Lester Can Avoid Early-Inning Problems [NESN.com]

Red Sox Should Resist Temptation to Use Adrian Gonzalez in Outfield [NESN.com]

Video: What Makes Boston America’s Best Sports City? [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett Still ‘Really Sick,’ May Not Be Able to Start on Saturday [NESN.com]

Video: Adrian Gonzalez Move to Right Field Would Reshuffle Multiple Lineup Spots [NESN.com]

Video: Sellout Attendance Figure Varies For Variety of Factors Including Standing Room Only, Complimentary Tickets, Larry Lucchino Explains [NESN.com]

Francona still has “anxiety” about using Gonzalez in the outfield [Projo Sox Blog]

Ex-Red Sox executives excited about challenge of rebuilding Padres [Projo Sox Blog]

San Diego gets free pass [Providence Journal]

For pitchers facing the Sox, it’s become same, old grind [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Maybin, Miller have traveled similar paths [Providence Journal]

Lackey looks to keep rolling in series finale [RedSox.com]

Crawford, Hudson dedicate time talking to youth [RedSox.com]

Big Papi has DH thing down pat [RedSox.com]

Because Winning Them All Is Overrated [Surviving Grady]

Even for the Red Sox, there’s always something to worry about [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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 North Coast Times and San Diego Union-Tribune website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother RJ’s Fro.

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images, Getty Images