Is there any hotter pitcher in the American League right now than one Josh Beckett? Probably not.

After another dominating performance last night against the Cleveland Indians in a 4-2 win, Beckett raised his record to 4-1 and has a paltry 1.69 ERA. If it weren’t for the bullpen letting him down a few times this year, Beckett could easily be leading the league in wins. It also goes to show you how unimportant a pitcher’s win total is.

What matters the most is the number of wins a team has. If you ask Beckett, he’ll tell you the team win is more important to him.

While Beckett was out there doing his thing, he got some help from his batterymate Jason Varitek on both sides of the plate. When Beckett got into some jams, the Captain bailed him out by throwing two baserunners trying to steal second. When the Red Sox needed some insurance runs in a tight one-run ballgame in the 7th inning, the Captain came through with his first home run in nearly a full calendar year (last one was May 30, 2010).

And when Beckett got into a little jam in the 7th inning with two outs, the bullpen didn’t let him down this time. Instead Rich Hill came in and struck out Jack Hannahan looking on a nasty curveball to end the threat. And after a giving up a leadoff walk in the 8th, Hill retired the next three batters to hand off the game to Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon did allow a home run to Travis Buck and while the last two outs he recorded were loud outs, he helped save Beckett’s first regular season win in Cleveland. And more importantly, it was the first win in Cleveland for the Red Sox after four losses this season.

Speed can kill and it did just that on Tuesday night.

Carl Crawford was hit by a pitch from Fausto Carmona in the third inning. He then stole second, went to third on a Drew Sutton groundout. And after a walk to Jacoby Ellsbury, Crawford came in a on Jed Lowrie sac fly. With Adrian Gonzalez at the plate, Ellsbury stole second and promptly scored on a double from Gonzo.

With the way Beckett was dominating the hitters, you knew as long as Beckett was in the game that’s all the run support he would need. Beckett finished the night with six strikeouts walking three in 6 2/3 innings. He did allow one run.

It was nice to see all facets of the game clicking last night. What was even better was to see Varitek, who’s been struggling all season long at the plate and throwing runners out, to come up with the clutch home run late and gunning down baserunners trying to steal. Just a short while ago, we all wanted a change behind the plate between the Captain and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

But if they keep this up, things will be just fine for the Red Sox. Now if Daniel Bard can get his head screwed on straight, they’ll be even better.

With the day game today at 12:05 p.m., we’ll be back in a short while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the morning. But for now, enjoy the overnight links 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

A Hill of a streak: Rich Hill’s unlikely path to Red Sox history [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sox rely on Tek’s support [Boston Globe]

Work in pen a start for Lackey [Boston Globe]

Backstops become backbones [Boston Globe]

Josh Beckett dealing like an ace again [Boston Herald]

Varitek’s catching up [Boston Herald]

Returns good on Lackey [Boston Herald]

Red Sox find way up-Hill [Boston Herald]

Red Sox edge Indians, 4-2 [CSNNE.com]

Lackey: ‘Pretty good’ during side session [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Varitek does it all to beat Tribe [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Sox 4, Indians 2 [ESPN Boston]

Hill fills breach, builds bridge to Papelbon [ESPN Boston]

Jason Varitek gets comfy at, behind plate for Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Actions speak louder than words for Josh Beckett [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox 4, Indians 2 [Full Count]

Video: Jason Varitek Says Josh Beckett’s Cutter, Changeup Key to Win Over Indians [NESN.com]

Video:  Josh Beckett Praises Jason Varitek’s Performance Behind the Plate Against Indians [NESN.com]

Jason Varitek Provides Latest Example of Resurgence by Red Sox Catchers [NESN.com]

Boston gets charge from battery [Providence Journal]

Lackey closing in on return [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Lefty Hill shows he’s got the right stuff [Providence Journal]

Okajima clears waivers, outrighted to PawSox [RedSox.com]

Jenks will make rehab outing before returning [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 Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother Burning River Baseball.

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.

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

Calhoun on APR [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn’s Calhoun holds court on Big East expansion [St. Petersburg Times]

UConn only Big East school to lose men’s basketball scholarships because of APR [CT Post]

2009-10 APR for Big East men’s basketball [CT Post]

UConn Men Must Do Better; Recent Academic Performance Is A Total Joke [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball APR Of 893 Results In Penalties; Women 990, Football 953 [Hartford Courant]

UConn men promise classroom changes are in progress [The Day]

Kemba Walker Ready for NBA Transition [Hoops World]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Jimmy V Classic matchup officially announced [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Maya Moore reacts to her first WNBA game [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Age Is Just A Number For DeShields [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Geno Talks APR [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Dolson makes progress in offseason [CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball APR Of 893 Results In Penalties; Women 990, Football 953 [Hartford Courant]

Lynx rookie Maya Moore talks: Bob Sansevere listens [Pioneer Press]

UConn Football links

Pasqualoni in familiar place [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Hope and concern: Connecticut [Brian Bennett – ESPN.com]

Lindsey Witten Giving It A Go In The CFL [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball APR Of 893 Results In Penalties; Women 990, Football 953 [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Plenty Of Ways To Follow UConn Baseball [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn Earns Three BIG EAST Major Awards [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Barnes has MLB potential but one goal — UConn championships [CT Post]

W. Soccer. Zac Shaw Named Women’s Soccer Assistant Coach [UConnHuskies.com]

Academic Progress Rates Announced By NCAA [UConnHuskies.com]

After the bullpen blew the game last night, the Boston Red Sox are back at it tonight in game two of a three-game set with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on STO. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Josh Beckett returns to the bump after having to leave early due to neck tightness his last time out. Beckett has made nine starts in 2011 and is 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA. He’s faced the Indians once this year, taking the loss after allowing three runs in five innings back on 4/5. He’s made eight career starts against the Indians and is 3-5 with a 5.55 ERA. He’s winless in three starts at Progressive Field as he is 0-3 with a 6.48 ERA.

Fausto Carmona looks to keep the “Windians” train rolling tonight for skipper Manny Acta. He’s made 10 starts this season and is 3-4 with a 4.76 ERA. He’s made one start against the Red Sox in 2011, picking up the win after seven shutout innings back on 4/7. He’s made eight appearances (six starts) in his career against the Red Sox and is 2-3 with a 3.44 ERA.

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 tonight’s lineups:

25-22		30-15
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Michael Brantley	LF
2. Jed Lowrie	SS	2. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Shin-Soo Choo	RF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Carlos Santana	C
5. David Ortiz	DH	5. Travis Buck	DH
6. J.D. Drew	RF	6. Orlando Cabrera	2B
7. Jason Varitek	C	7. Matt LaPorta	1B
8. Carl Crawford	LF	8. Jack Hannahan	3B
9. Drew Sutton	2B	9. Ezequiel Carrera	CF
Josh Beckett	SP	Fausto Carmona	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’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

John Lackey could rejoin Red Sox rotation on June 5 [Clubhouse Insider]

Bard’s struggles continue against Indians [CSNNE.com]

Nation STATion: Nine to Know, Daniel Bard Edition [CSNNE.com]

Tim Wakefield, Not Alfredo Aceves, Should Remain in Rotation After John Lackey Returns [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Suddenly, Cleveland’s a contender [ESPN Boston]

SoxProspects: Patrolling the outfield [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia ‘a little sore’ but relieved [ESPN Boston]

Lackey ‘felt pretty good’ after bullpen session [ESPN Boston]

Varitek charity tournament is July 21 [Extra Bases]

Drew Sutton in the spotlight this week? [Extra Bases]

Lackey on the comeback trail for Red Sox [Extra Bases]

Red Sox podcast: Good competition [Extra Bases]

Pedroia ‘a little sore’ but doing better [Extra Bases]

Terry Francona on The Big Show: Bard’s performance down from 2010 [Full Count]

Which American League First-Place Team Is Biggest Surprise? [NESN.com]

Red Sox Mailbag: Daisuke Matsuzaka Injury Will Make Theo Epstein Pursue Starter More Aggressively [NESN.com]

Jason Varitek Attributes Early-Career Strength Programs, Agility Drills for MLB Longevity [NESN.com]

Red Sox Nation Gives Advice to Cubs Fans Dealing With Curses, World Series Droughts [NESN.com]

Red Sox, Cubs Fans Give Their Best Impression of Legendary Broadcaster Harry Caray [NESN.com]

Fenway Park’s Inaugural Season Was Filled With Local Ties, Championship Matchups [NESN.com]

Red Sox Get Good News in Regards to Injuries of Dustin Pedroia, John Lackey [NESN.com]

Case of the Mondays [Nuggetpalooza]

Bullpen notes: Jenks, Okajima, Bard [Projo Sox Blog]

Sutton’s first start comes in familiar territory [Projo Sox Blog]

Even without Pedroia, Crawford hitting 8th [Projo Sox Blog]

Pedroia should be back Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Lackey on schedule to return June 5 [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett seeking payback against Tribe [RedSox.com]

Comcast and the Boston Red Sox unveil expanded Red Sox On Demand library [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

The Cleveland Indians have been called the “Windians” for a reason this season. They just keep winning. Sure, they’ve lost 15 games this season but after an Asdrubal Cabrera RBI double off of Daniel Bard pitch left out over the plate, the “Windians” are the first team in MLB to 30 wins.

On Saturday night as the Red Sox held a 3-1 lead against the Chicago Cubs, skipper Terry Francona went with Matt Albers instead of Bard. The move was to allow the former North Carolina Tar Heel an extra day of rest. The move didn’t work out too well for Francona and the Red Sox. On Sunday night, Bard came in to a 3-1 game and was perfect in 1.1 innings as he struck out two.

Monday night, Bard entered the game with a 2-1 lead after a fine performance from Clay Buchholz who left with one out in the 8th and a runner on second base. Bard got the first batter he faced to pop out but then allowed the game tying single to Michael Brantley on a 2-2 count. After that, it didn’t take long for Cabrera to bring in the winning run as he took the second pitch he saw and laced the game-winning double.

Given the fact that Cabrera was amoing the league’s hottest hitters, I’m surprised they didn’t walk him to get to Shin-Soo Choo. They didn’t and ironically enough, Rich Hill came in and struck out Choo on four pitches. But hindsight is 20/20.

The Red Sox did try to rally in the 9th inning as J.D. Drew and Jed Lowrie connected for one out singles. But Indians closer Chris Perez was able to get the speedy Carl Crawford to ground into a game-ending double play on a night where a win would have put the Red Sox in first place after the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays both lost.

Buchholz was paired up against his buddy and former teammate Justin Masterson, who had owned his former club in two starts against them. Runs were hard to score off the pair as the only run off of Buchholz came from the bat of Cabrera in the form of a solo home run. The only runs off of Masterson came off a Dustin Pedroia single and Crawford solo home run.

Pedroia did end up leaving the game after it appeared he injured his ankle when he tripped over second base. It turns out that he suffered a leg stinger and should be okay. He’ll be off on Tuesday which just happened to be a rare day off for him.

Both pitchers pitched well enough for the win just as they have been doing as of late. For Buchholz, it’s been a great run since struggling early on. For Masterson, it’s something he’s been doing all season long for the “Windians’.

But yet again, it came down to the bullpen and just like earlier in the season, the Red Sox bullpen failed them.

Even though the Indians are a great team and have been pulling off these comebacks all season long, it was a sight too familiar for the Red Sox. When they struggled early on, part of the blame went to the bullpen blowing late leads.

It was an offseason that saw the Red Sox sign Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks to add to the bridge to Jonathan Papelbon that already included Bard. But Wheeler has been ineffective for the most part and Jenks has downright sucked donkey doo and is on the disabled list right now. Other than his Saturday blip on the radar, Albers has been outstanding and Hill has stepped up to be the No. 1 lefty out of the bullpen. 

When we look back at the end of the season if the Red Sox don’t make the postseason, we’ll be able to attribute it to the bullpen, the third wheel to the big offseason acquisitions of Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links 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

Surging Indians keep Bard, Red Sox from going over top [Boston Globe]

Pedroia’s injury considered minor [Boston Globe]

Setup needs some cleanup [Boston Globe]

Indians raze the Bard [Boston Herald]

Sox see what may have been [Boston Herald]

Drew stays patient [Boston Herald]

No decision for Dice-K [Boston Herald]

Pedroia OK after scare [Boston Herald]

Questions, answers, numbers [Clubhouse Insider]

Tribe rally to beat Red Sox, 3-2 [CSNNE.com]

Buchholz: Got to tip your cap to Masterson [CSNNE.com]

Pedroia ‘OK’ after leaving game with leg injury [CSNNE.com]

Francona: Matsuzaka will not have surgery [CSNNE.com]

Scutaro waits patiently while on the DL [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Jenks felt ‘great’ during 25-pitch side session [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Indians 3, Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K, now in Japan, will get 2nd opinion upon return [ESPN Boston]

Why did Buchholz come out in 8th inning? [Extra Bases]

Facing Cabrera wrong move from the start [Extra Bases]

Daisuke Matsuzaka to Get Second Opinion on Elbow, But Not Facing Tommy John Surgery [NESN.com]

Video: Terry Francona Says Daniel Bard’s Velocity Was Good Against Indians, But Reliever Left Pitches Over the Plate [NESN.com]

Video: Dustin Pedroia Suffers ‘Stinger’ in Left Leg Against Indians, Will Likely Receive Day Off [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia Expected to Be Fine After Leaving Game in Cleveland [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia’s Injury Scare Just One Part of Painful Finish for Red Sox [NESN.com]

Heidi Watney Hangs Out With Red Sox Fans at Red Sox TweetUp [NESN.com]

Cabrera’s hot bat lifts Cleveland late [Providence Journal]

Tito dismisses talk of surgery for Dice-K [Providence Journal]

Lowrie in the lineup for his bat, not his defense [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Indians playing ‘inspired’ baseball [Providence Journal]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother Burning River Baseball.

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.

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

Calhoun to Headline SWIM Event [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Sellers to Hofstra? [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Kemba Walker Camp, Aug 1-4, In Windsor [Mike Anthony – Hartford Courant]

Down 3 Scholarships, UConn Men’s Basketball Has Little Room For Error [Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

DeShields is taking her time [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn Women Get Perfect 1000 APR: How Do You Figure That? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Success As A Freshman Leaves Dolson Looking For More [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Rizzotti expects to see signs of growth in Hartley [Journal Inquirer]

Tougher Taurasi back from Turkish turmoil [New Haven Register]

UConn Football links

UConn Football Going Into Heart Of New Jersey No Small Feat [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Postseason Begins Wednesday in Florida [UConnHuskies.com]

After taking the weekend interleague series from the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox head to Cleveland, OH for the second time this season for a three-game set against the Indians at Progressive Field.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on STO. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the game will also be available  on ESPN2. You can also catch the game online at ESPN3.com where available.  And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Clay Buchholz has been on a roll as of late and looks to keep it going in his 10th start of 2011. In his previous nine starts, Buchholz is 4-3 with a 3.65 ERA. He didn’t face the Indians earlier this season and made one start against them in 2010 when he took the loss after allowing three runs in seven innings back on 6/9/10, which happened to be his only start at Progressive Field. He’s made two career starts against the Indians and is 0-1 with a 8.10 ERA (9 ER/10 IP).

Once a member of the Red Sox, Justin Masterson will look to beat his old team for MLB’s best team right now. In nine starts, Masterson is 5-2 with a 2.52 ERA. He didn’t face the Red Sox in the earlier matchup and made two starts, which happen to be both of his career starts against the Red Sox in 2010. In those two starts, Masterson was 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA (1 ER/14 IP). In Masterson’s only start against the Red Sox at home in the loss suffered by Buchholz, he threw a complete game shutout.

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 tonight’s lineups:

25-21		29-15
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Michael Brantley	CF
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	3. Shin-Soo Choo	RF
4. Kevin Youkilis	3B	4. Travis Buck	DH
5. David Ortiz	DH	5. Matt LaPorta	1B
6. J.D. Drew	RF	6. Orlando Cabrera	2B
7. Jed Lowrie	SS	7. Jack Hannahan	3B
8. Carl Crawford	LF	8. Austin Kearns	LF
9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	9. Lou Marson	C
Clay Buchholz	SP	Justin Masterson	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’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

Injury updates: Jenks throws, Scutaro not ready to hit [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox jump to No. 3 in Power Rankings [ESPN Boston]

Can Red Sox lefties get to Masterson? [ESPN Boston]

Video: Winfield’s AL East pick [ESPN Boston]

Masterson a Francona favorite no more [ESPN Boston]

Cleveland takes a leap of faith [Extra Bases]

Update on Jenks, Lackey [Extra Bases]

Orel Hershiser on D&C: Beanball situation ‘done properly’ by Red Sox, Cubs [Full Count]

Mike Quade has a new level of respect for Tim Wakefield [Full Count]

David Ortiz takes a turn to left [Full Count]

How Many Games Will Justin Masterson Win This Season? [NESN.com]

Red Sox Bullpen Providing Value Beyond the Numbers [NESN.com]

Jerry Remy Impressed by Cleveland Indians, Says Unexpected Hot Start Not a Fluke [NESN.com]

Red Sox Enjoying Success Because of Increased Production From Many Players in Lineup [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Indians and Payback [Projo Sox Blog]

Jenks encouraged by side session [Projo Sox Blog]

Scutaro still not hitting, Lackey to throw Tuesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox happy to see Masterson, not to face him [Projo Sox Blog]

Tribe present test for improved Sox [Projo Sox Blog]

Buchholz charged with holding down Tribe [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

Leave it to the oldest active player in Major League Baseball to steal the show on Sunday night at Fenway Park. Over the weekend, there had been jokes made about Tim Wakefield on how he was the only player on the Boston Red Sox to pitch against the Chicago Cubs back in 1918, which just happened to be the last time the Cubbies played at the Fens.

Well on Sunday night, it was Wake who had the last laugh. He hadn’t been on the mound since May 11th in a relief appearance against the Toronto Blue Jays. Everyone figured that the old man might have a little rust out there but that was far from the case.

Wake’s knuckleball was one of the best he’s had all season. Whether is it was the cold conditions or not, it doesn’t matter. It looked like a pair of ballroom dancers doing the tango. It moved through the strike zone with an elegant grace that kept the Cubs hitters off balance.

The expectation was that Wake would give them at least 5-6 innings. Instead he gave them 6 2/3 innings. And if it were not for two doubles in the 7th that brought in the only Cubs run of the game, Wake would have given them seven innings. But either way, Wake did his job yet again and left to a standing ovation from the Fenway faithful who sat through un-May like chilly conditions.

Wake threw 75 pitches and scattered just four hits over the 6 2/3 innings. He didn’t walk anyone and struck out three. After getting an extra day off on Saturday night, Daniel Bard was perfect in 1 1/3 innings striking out two. Jonathan Papelbon, who needed some work, finished off the Cubs in the 9th working around an Aramis Ramirez double with two strikeouts to secure the 5-1 win for Wake.

For Wake, it was his first win of the 2011 season. More importantly, it was his 194th career win and his 180th win in a Red Sox uniform. He’s now 12 wins away from tying Rogers Clemens and Cy Young’s record of 192 wins in a Red Sox uniform.

Offensively, Adrian Gonzalez continues to be a joy to watch at the plate. By the time is all said and done with his Red Sox career, he’ll probably be known as one of the greatest hitters to ever wear a Red Sox uniform. His plate discipline is unmatched right now as you can tell he’s seeing everything clearly. He added another four hits on Sunday night to raise his average to .342.

David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia added two hits each while Kevin Youkilis‘ only hit of the night was good for a two-run triple. Jed Lowrie and Mike Cameron both added RBI’s with back-to-back sacrifice flys in the 4th inning. And finally, Jarrod Saltalamacchia continued his recent streak at the plate with another solo home run.

The Red Sox are still a 1/2 game out of first behind the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. Things won’t get any easier the next few days as they head to Cleveland to take on the Windians who have the best record in MLB at 29-15.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links 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

Old reliable [Boston Globe]

Beaning of Byrd affects all [Boston Globe]

Cameron can sympathize with Byrd [Boston Globe]

Red Sox thaw out Tim Wakefield for classic [Boston Herald]

Adrian Gonzalez in full swing [Boston Herald]

Stephen Curry, Daniel Bard have a ball [Boston Herald]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia peppers ball again [Boston Herald]

Tim Wakefield proves worthy [Boston Herald]

Boston Public Library catches lost Red Sox photos [Boston Herald]

Red Sox beat Cubs in finale, 5-1 [CSNNE.com]

Sox fan Stephen Curry parties at Fenway [CSNNE.com]

Aceves sorry for Byrd beaning; Cubs retaliate [CSNNE.com]

Wakefield earns another precious win [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Hits keep coming for Gonzalez [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Sox 5, Cubs 1 [ESPN Boston]

Video: ‘SNB’ crew on Sox win over Cubs [ESPN Boston]

Gonzo: ‘A good place at the plate right now’ [ESPN Boston]

Tim Wakefield dazzles with his knuckler, attitude [ESPN Boston]

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

Closing Time: Tim Wakefield turns in memorable performance in Red Sox win over Cubs [Full Count]

Kevin Youkilis gives new meaning to the ‘Hundred Years War’ [Full Count]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia after home run: ‘I’m feeling more comfortable’ [Full Count]

Tim Wakefield Draws Rave Reviews After Dominating Cubs and Inching Closer to 200 Wins [NESN.com]

Cubs Fans, Red Sox Fans Both Fall Short in 1918 Trivia Outside Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Vote: Who Is the Best Player From the Red Sox’ 2006 Draft Class? [NESN.com]

Gonzalez, Youkilis a ferocious tandem [Projo Sox Blog]

Wakefield shines as Red Sox take series from Cubs [Providence Journal]

Youkilis rebounding nicely from rough April, but still has room for improvement [Providence Journal]

Buchholz seeing the benefits of improved conditioning [Providence Journal]

Minor-league report: Injuries help clear way for Brentz promotion [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Youkilis takes a certain pride in setting hit-by-pitch record [Providence Journal]

Cubs-Red Sox set filled with hit-by-pitches [RedSox.com]

Morales acquisition has pitching coach’s approval [RedSox.com]

Runners help raise funds for Home Base [RedSox.com]

How Adrian Gonzalez has helped David Ortiz reunite with .300 [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown or ESPN Chicago websites.

Photo credits: Getty Images, 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

Kemba Walker at NBA Draft Combine [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Football links

When A Staff Lands A Recruit Everyone Gets Credit But… [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

They are Putting UConn Baseball on the Map [SportsPageMagazine.com]

After blowout wins for each team in the first two games, the Boston Red Sox will host the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game set and a seven-game homestand tonight at Fenway Park.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 8:05 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online at ESPN3.com where available.  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 steps on the slab for the first time since May 11th in his third start of 2011. He’s made 11 appearances (two starts) and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. He’s made six appearances (five starts) against the Cubs in his career with only one of them coming as a member of the Red Sox. In those six appearances (five starts), Wake is 3-1 with a 3.68 ERA.

James Russell steps in for former Red Sox killer Matt Garza who was scratched yesterday with tightness in his pitching arm. He’s made 13 appearances (four starts) this season and is 1-4 with a 6.26 ERA. His only career appearance against the Red Sox on Friday night when he allowed two hits over three 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 tonight’s lineups:

20-24		24-21
1. Kosuke Fukudome	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Darwin Barney	2B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Starlin Castro	SS	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Aramis Ramirez	3B	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Carlos Pena	1B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Jeff Baker	LF	6. Jed Lowrie	SS
7. Alfonso Soriano	DH	7. Mike Cameron	RF
8. Welington Castillo	C	8. Carl Crawford	LF
9. Reed Johnson	CF	9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
James Russell	SP	Tim Wakefield	SP

And here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’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

Aceves relieves one issue [Boston Globe]

Why this is a big start for Wakefield [Clubhouse Insider]

Notes: Lackey and Jenks make progress [CSNNE.com]

Ageless Wakefield gets another turn [ESPN Boston]

Video: Crawford on Boston fans [ESPN Boston]

Sox, Cubs close series at Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Lackey, Jenks continue to make progress [ESPN Boston]

Cubs place Byrd on DL after beaning by Aceves [ESPN Chicago]

Run To Home Base a success [Extra Bases]

Report: Byrd to go on DL [Extra Bases]

Red Sox still can’t complete turnaround [FOXSports.com]

Carlos Pena was ‘fearful’ for Marlon Byrd before hospital visit [Full Count]

Cubs’ Outfielder Marlon Byrd Placed on 15-Day Disabled List After Being Hit in Face by Pitch on Saturday [NESN.com]

Cubs’ Marlon Byrd on DL with facial fractures [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis sets HBP record, fails to get souvenir ball [Projo Sox Blog]

Lackey progressing [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis rebounding nicely from rough April, but still has room for improvement [Providence Journal]

‘Balanced’ Gonzalez belongs in Boston [RedSox.com]

Knuckle up: Wake gets spot-start in rubber game [RedSox.com]

For Hill, facing former team not weird [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, 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.

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 Women’s Basketball links

U-19 training camp starts tomorrow [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Moore heightens goals [CT Post]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Huskies Finish Regular Season With 7-4 Loss at Cincinnati [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn Earns Top Seed for 2011 BIG EAST Championship [UConnHuskies.com]