Besides the ugly throwback uniforms, things were looking pretty good early on for the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

They were enjoying a seven-game winning entering the night and with the Tampa Bay Rays losing, they had a chance to move into first place in the AL East for the first time all season long. And things were going their way.

They got a strong start from Alfredo Aceves who left with a chance to win the game thanks to a two-run opposite field home run by David Ortiz. But then the eighth inning came along and any hopes of first place were blown out of the park by wind and mist that engulfed Fenway all night long.

The eighth inning is usually Daniel Bard‘s inning to pitch. Then depending on whether he struggles or not, manager Terry Francona will hand the ball over to Jonathan Papelbon to finish off the game. But Francona had other ideas and obviously we know it didn’t work.

He decided to go with Matt Albers instead of Bard. He did have his reasons as to why Bard wasn’t in the game. During the game, I saw Bard head towards the dugout from the bullpen leading myself and others around me that maybe something was wrong with Bard. That wasn’t the case though.

Although he hadn’t pitched in two days, Bard is on pace for a ton of innings and appearances this year. So Francona went with Albers, who let’s face it, has been the rock of the bullpen all season long. But Albers struggled mightily as he didn’t record an out. He allowed six runs (five earned) on three hits, two walks and Jed Lowrie error.

Before Aceves even took the mound, we knew this one was going to be the bullpen’s game. When Aceves was done, Dan Wheeler and Rich Hill did their jobs and gave the Red Sox a chance to win. So with Albers struggles, the only other option was Franklin Morales, who had just come over in a trade from the Colorado Rockies.

Morales didn’t fare much better but he was also a victim of the circus that suddenly appeared in the 8th inning on a botched rundown.

So when all was said and done, the Red Sox found themselves on the losing end of a 9-3 ballgame to the Chicago Cubs. And instead of being in first place, they find themselves in second place just a 1/2 game behind the Yankees and Rays for first place.

All we can do now is forget last night’s game and hope the Red Sox can start up a new winning streak in the finale with the Cubs. And it will be the bullpen’s game again as Tim Wakefield is on the hill. Hopefully things will turn out a little better than they did last night.

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

The fine line: With long-term in mind, Sox suffer hard loss [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

The making of Big Papi: Remembering Ortiz’ power-hitting origins [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Thrown for a loss [Boston Globe]

Does game time really have to be show time? [Boston Globe]

Saltalamacchia in line [Boston Globe]

Matt Albers winds up in need of relief [Boston Herald]

It all adds up for charity [Boston Herald]

Alfredo Aceves simply a winner [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz joins exclusive club [Boston Herald]

Carlos Pena believes in Carl Crawford [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz’ connection to Adrian Gonzalez runs deep [Boston Herald]

Red Sox’ moment of rapture [Boston Herald]

Red Sox’ 300-home run club [Boston Herald]

Bard given needed rest [Boston Herald]

Pena reunites with friend Crawford [CSNNE.com]

I think we’ve seen the last of Dice-K [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Albers bites bullet without Bard [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Cubs 9, Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

Injured starter Lackey throws, makes progress [ESPN Boston]

Why Daniel Bard was not in the game [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Matt Albers blows up, Red Sox lose 9-3 [Full Count]

Matt Albers: ‘It’s definitely frustrating’ [Full Count]

Ortiz: ‘An honor’ to join Red Sox’ 300-homer club [Full Count]

Red Sox, Cubs Sport Throwback Uniforms to Commemorate 1918 World Series [NESN.com]

Fenway Park’s Combination of Classic Quirks, Modern Renovations Give It Edge Over Wrigley Field [NESN.com]

Wrigley Field’s Iconic Ivy, Neighborhood Atmosphere Give It Edge Over Fenway As Nation’s Best Classic Ballpark [NESN.com]

Who Is the Most Famous Cubs Fan? [NESN.com]

Cub’s General Manager Jim Hendry Says Terry Francona Was Favorite For Manager Job in 2003 [NESN.com]

Boston squanders chance to take over first place [Providence Journal]

Despite 8th-inning meltdown, Bard remained unavailable [Providence Journal]

Aging Yankees have to move fast to compete with Red Sox, Rays [Providence Journal]

Former teammate Carlos Pena was inspired by Carl Crawford’s work ethic [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Players have been weathering the harsh conditions [Providence Journal]

‘Balanced’ Gonzalez belongs in Boston [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 the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown or ESPN Chicago websites.

Photo credit: Elsa – Getty Images

Jon Lester wasn’t at his best for the Boston Red Sox last night and each time the offense got him a lead, he’d allow the Chicago Cubs to get into the game. But the offense kept pounding out hit after hit, 19 in all, to help the Red Sox to a 15-5 win over the Cubs in the first game between the two teams at Fenway Park since the 1918 World Series.

The talk all week leading up to last night’s game was about the historical significance of the Cubs visit to the Fens but in the end it was just another game. And it was just another game that the Red Sox won which gives them seven straight wins. More importantly though, it pulled them into second place, a 1/2 game ahead of the third place New York Yankees and a 1/2 behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays.

Since starting the season at 2-10, the Red Sox are 22-10 and making noise across baseball. More importantly, despite the bad outing by Lester, are playing baseball like they were expected to.

Lester allowed a career-high 12 hits in six innings of work last night as he left a lot of pitches out in the zone. His fastball had good velocity but he lacked command on all of his pitches. There was some speculation during the game that he may be injured but that’s simply not the case. Lester said after the game that he was simply not “executing” the pitches he needed to make at the time.

But what makes baseball a great game is the fact you can put that bad outing in the past, work on the mistakes and then get back out there in five days and try to be better than you were the last time you toed the rubber.

The only player on the offensive side of things in the starting lineup to not have a hit was Mike Cameron. Ironically enough, Cameron had good numbers against Cubs starter Doug Davis.

After struggling in the series versus the Detroit Tigers, Adrian Gonzalez went back to raking. You could say it was familiarity with the Cubs being a NL team but we know that he’s been doing this all season long. He led the way with four hits (all singles) and four RBIs.

Kevin Youkilis got into the act as well with three hits, including a two-run homer which may still be in orbit as I write and you read this. He also knocked in three runs, the other one coming on a sacrifice fly on some great baserunning by Dustin Pedroia, who scored three runs on the night.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia is also heating up at the plate as he had two hits including a solo home run. Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and two RBIs while David Ortiz, Pedroia and Jed Lowrie each added two hits to the cause.

It’s definitely fun watching the Red Sox as of late, a far cry from earlier in the season. As long as the Red Sox can stay healthy going forward, this could turn out to be a very special season for the local nine.

I just hope they saved some hits and runs for tonight since I’ll be at the game. This means we’ll have a modified afternoon post up on the site.

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

For a Third Time, MLB on FOX Screws Red Sox Fans in Connecticut [SOX & Dawgs]

Red Sox, Cubs To Wear 1918 Uniforms on Saturday Night [SOX & Dawgs]

Video: Orsillo, Remy Talk Dyed Hair, Toupées [SOX & Dawgs]

Video: Orsillo Gets His Eck On [SOX & Dawgs]

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 credit: Elsa-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

Here’s Why UConn Loses Two Scholarships … [David Borges – New Haven Register]

APR Clarification [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn men docked 2 scholarships for academics [CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball To Lose Two Scholarships [Hartford Courant]

Huskies notified they will be docked two scholarships [New Haven Register]

Low APR costs UConn men two scholarships [The Day]

Of American heroes and supermen [Ottawa Citizen]

Calhoun ’55/45′ on returning to UConn sideline [CBSSports.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno recalls turning point in Tina Charles’ career [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

“Felt like we were right back at UConn” [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Auriemma Talks Maya Moore, Olympics And Future Of Big East [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Cleaning Up After The Chamber’s Breakfast [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Tina Charles Becomes Best By Seat Of Her Pants [Hartford Courant]

Tina Charles given role model award by Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce [New Haven Register]

UConn Football links

First Member Of 2012 Class: Don Bosco Prep OL Tyler Samra [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Takes 9-5 Win at Cincinnati [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Springer Named NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist [UConnHuskies.com]

After a two-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox welcome the Chicago Cubs to Fenway Park for the first time since the 1918 World Series for a three-game set.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. (weather permitting) and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Cubs television market, you can catch the game on WGN. If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as well as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game.  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 will be the first Red Sox pitcher to reach 10 starts this season. In his previous nine starts, Lester is 5-1 with a 3.28 ERA. He’s never faced the Cubs in his career.

Doug Davis will make the start for skipper Mike Quade. It’s just his second start of the season and he is 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA. He’s made seven career appearances (six starts) against the Red Sox and is 3-2 with a 3.79 ERA. Three of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 1-1 with a 3.52 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:

19-23		23-20
1. Starlin Castro	SS	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Darwin Barney	2B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Jeff Baker	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Aramis Ramirez	DH	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Carlos Pena	1B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Marlon Byrd	CF	6. Jed Lowrie	SS
7. Alfonso Soriano	LF	7. Mike Cameron	RF
8. Reed Johnson	RF	8. Carl Crawford	LF
9. Koyie Hill	C	9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
Doug Davis	SP	Jon Lester	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.

With Drew Sutton being called up and Jose Iglesias being sent down, the Red Sox designated Daniel Nava for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Sutton.

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

Pregame notes: Lackey had shot; Sox not worried about Beckett [Clubhouse Insider]

Despite neck pain, Josh Beckett expects to make his next start [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox-Cubs is much ado about nothing [CSNNE.com]

100,000 for a Sox-Cubs ticket? [CSNNE.com]

1918 World Series flashback: Sox vs. Cubs [ESPN Boston]

Welcome, old friends … [ESPN Boston]

Buckner, ex-Cub, ex-Sox, in the house [ESPN Boston]

Podcast: Schilling on Sox pitching and more [ESPN Boston]

Morales, Wheeler, Sutton here, Nava DFA [ESPN Boston]

Five things to know about Cubs [ESPN Chicago]

Bill Buckner ‘excited’ for return [ESPN Chicago]

Sox looking down at pitch counts? [Extra Bases]

NU to honor Montalbano tomorrow [Extra Bases]

Beckett stands tall, record aside [Extra Bases]

Welcome back, Cubbies [Extra Bases]

Sutton called up from Pawtucket [Extra Bases]

Red Sox transactions in the last 24 hours [Extra Bases]

Beckett feeling better; Morales ready to go [Extra Bases]

Pitching notes: John Lackey had cortisone shot Monday, hasn’t thrown since [Full Count]

Red Sox option Jose Iglesias to Pawtucket, announce other roster moves [Full Count]

Recruiting pitch: How Drew Sutton was sold on becoming a Red Sox [Full Count]

Boston hopes Morales can be lefty specialist [Jim Bowden – ESPN.com]

Dennis Eckersley, Nomar Garciaparra, Andre Dawson Among Nearly 200 Players Who Played for Both Cubs, Red Sox [NESN.com]

Top 10 Pieces of Advice Red Sox Fans Can Give Cubs Fans [NESN.com]

Red Sox are rolling [Nuggetpalooza]

Baseball’s Sad Lexicon [Projo Sox Blog]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Cubs and Ancient History [Projo Sox Blog]

Utilityman Sutton replaces Iglesias on Red Sox roster [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett still on track to make next start [Projo Sox Blog]

Wheeler hoping to turn disabled-list stint into a benefit [Projo Sox Blog]

Morales arrives, ready to contribute [Projo Sox Blog]

Cubs’ return to Fenway offers window to past [RedSox.com]

Lester, Red Sox host Cubs in historic series [RedSox.com]

Photo credit: AP Photo, Getty Images

Billed as a matchup of pitching heavyweights, Thursday night’s game between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers turned into the Carl Crawford show at the end of the game. For the third game this month, Crawford provided the walkoff hit to help the Red Sox to another win, this time 4-3 over the visiting nine from Detroit.

Crawford spent the entire month of April laboring with his average in the .100’s. But he started off the month of May with a walkoff hit against the Seattle Mariners and eight days later provided one against the Minnesota Twins on May 9th. The first walkoff hit got him rolling after hitting just .155 in the month of April.

So far in May, Crawford is hitting .294. And he’s doing this from the 8th spot in the lineup. Skipper Terry Francona plans to move Crawford back up in the order in the near future but for now he stays eighth.

There’s the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” so my feeling is why change what’s working right now. The Red Sox were 11-15 in the month of April but are now 12-5 in the month of May and riding a six-game winning streak. And with Crawford providing hits from the 8th spot why move him. It could only disrupt the lineup chemistry that’s going on right now.

Yes I know it doesn’t make sense to keep him there so maybe if things go temporarily south, we’ll see the move up the lineup for Crawford. But right now during this streak, it just doesn’t make any sense.

The Red Sox got a little scare from Josh Beckett last night as he had to leave the game after six innings of work. At that point, he had thrown only 83 pitches and allowed one run on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. It also led to speculation on what it might be. His back, another blister or my playful joke of a case of the runs.

But it turned out to be a stiff neck, a by-product of the weather and Josh not being able to get loose. Given the situation with the Red Sox starting rotation, the Red Sox and Beckett went about this cautiously. There’s no sense in having him get hurt and ending up on the DL when you already have 2/5 of the rotation there already.

Sure they signed Kevin Millwood for pitching depth but Millwood isn’t the Millwood of old. And he’s certainly not as good as Beckett has been pitching in 2011.

The Red Sox hitters had a tough time with Justin Verlander though. But J.D. Drew and David Ortiz were able to capitalize on mistakes from him for solo home runs. Verlander did finish with nine strikeouts.

Even though he left after six innings with the lead, Beckett ended up with a no decision thanks to the bullpen, well thanks to Daniel Bard.

Matt Albers was solid in the 7th but Bard gave up back-to-back home runs to Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera that tied the game up at three in the 8th. Jonathan Papelbon made it interesting in the top of the 9th and picked up a vulture win after Crawford’s heroics.

Now the Red Sox get to be a part of history this weekend as the Chicago Cubs come into town for the first time since the 1918 World Series won by the Red Sox. And in what I think will be the best part of the weekend will happen Saturday night and when both teams wear replicas of the uniforms worn in 1918.

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

As the roster turns: Making sense of the reconfigured Red Sox [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Crawford steals show from pitchers with another walkoff winner [Boston Globe]

Searching for more relief [Boston Globe]

Park benches, different views [Boston Globe]

At low level, Ranaudo deserving high marks [Boston Globe]

Carl Crawford better of late [Boston Herald]

Sox acquire pitchers Franklin Morales, Kevin Millwood [Boston Herald]

Cubs to Hub hot ticket [Boston Herald]

Alfredo Aceves gets his chance [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett adds to Sox’ worries [Boston Herald]

Brothers in arms [Boston Herald]

Alfonso Soriano vs. Green Monster might be a scratch [Boston Herald]

Rich Hill, a former Cub, emerges as Red Sox primary lefty reliever [Clubhouse Insider]

Crawford wins it for Sox, 4-3 [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox continue to thrive in the 9th inning [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Beckett leaves game with neck stiffness [CSNNE.com]

Francona won’t look ahead to Cubs — much [ESPN Boston]

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

Beckett marvels at Papelbon’s ‘explosion’ [ESPN Boston]

Beckett ‘had trouble getting loose’ [ESPN Boston]

Carl Crawford’s third walk-off hit keeps the Boston Red Sox on a roll [ESPN Boston]

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

Closing Time: Red Sox take right turn at Alburquerque [Full Count]

Francona on Beckett: ‘He’ll be OK’ [Full Count]

Red Sox make ‘upside’ trade for Franklin Morales, designate Hideki Okajima [Full Count]

Beckett: Neck ‘would never loosen up’ [Full Count]

Hideki Okajima: Signing with Red Sox ‘not a mistake’ [Full Count]

Francona: ‘Glad we’re playing at home’ [Full Count]

Baseball Looks Very Different Than It Did the Last Time Cubs Visited Fenway Park in 1918 [NESN.com]

Cubs May Lack Compelling Names, But Plenty to Be Excited About With Chicago Coming to Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Red Sox, Cubs to Celebrate Chicago’s First Trip to Fenway Park Since 1918 World Series [NESN.com]

Red Sox-Cubs Tickets Look to Be Biggest Draw for First Weekend of Interleague Play [NESN.com]

Heidi Watney Heads to Basho to Help Prepare Sushi for Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Red Sox Trade for Lefty Franklin Morales, Designate Hideki Okajima for Assignment in Latest Pitching Shuffle [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett’s Stiff Neck One of Several Obstacles Overcome by Resilient Red Sox in Walk-Off Win [NESN.com]

Peter Gammons Says Red Sox-Cubs Series Carries More Than Just Historical Significance [NESN.com]

Heidi Watney, Red Sox Twitter Followers Come Together for Inaugural ‘Red Sox TweetUp’ [NESN.com]

First-Ever Red Sox TweetUp Event Shows Expanding Role of Social Media in Sports [NESN.com]

Who Is the Best Home Run Hitter in Red Sox History? [NESN.com]

Papelbon succeeds where Bard stumbles [Projo Sox Blog]

Six in a row for red-hot Sox [Providence Journal]

With a few adjustments, Papelbon gets it together [Providence Journal]

Cubs coming to Fenway for first time in 93 years [Providence Journal]

Bill Buckner accepts his reality [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Hill eager for Cubs’ first visit since 1918 [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 Ann Arbor News, Detroit Free Press and Detroit News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brothers, Detroit4lyfe and The Tigers Den.

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

Coombs-McDaniel: ‘It’s Just Business’ [David Borges – New Haven Register]

For What it’s Worth … [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn To Host Arkansas In 2011 BIG EAST/SEC Challenge [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn men’s notebook: Coombs-McDaniel says arrest not why he’s transferring [CT Post]

Former UConn Basketball Player Coombs-McDaniel Seeks Program For Drug Arrest [Hartford Courant]

Kemba Walker At NBA Draft Combine: He’s Ready For NBA [Hartford Courant]

Coombs-McDaniel says playing time led to transfer [New Haven Register]

Futures Of Calhoun, Top Recruit Andre Drummond Linked [Lost Letterman]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Tina Charles, Geno Auriemma To Have Breakfast In Cromwell [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Minnesota’s Maya Moore Meets Media On Media Day [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Cash To Receive Honorary Degree [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Kalana Greene’s offense lifts Sun [Norwich Bulletin]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Announces 2011 Schedule [UConnHuskies.com]

Softball. Julie Towers Named NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-Region First Team [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Huskies Outlast Cincinnati with 3-1 Win [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn track star Trisha-Ann Hawthorne masters 2 events [Norwich Bulletin]

W. Soccer. UConn Players Staying Competitive Over The Summer [UConnHuskies.com]

The Boston Red Sox have been busy with player moves on Thursday.

They signed Kevin Millwood to a minor league deal and he’ll report to Pawtucket. They also traded for lefty reliever Franklin Morales from the Colorado Rockies. In making room for Morales, they designated Hideki Okajima for assignment.

According to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com (via Twitter), the Red Sox have optioned shortstop Jose Iglesias to Triple-A Pawtucket. Taking his place on the 25-man roster will be infielder Drew Sutton.

Iglesias made five appearances (one start) during his brief time with the Red Sox. He didn’t pick up a hit but did score two runs.

Sutton was last in the big leagues in 2010 with the Cleveland Indians. He’s been with the PawSox for the start of the 2011 season. In 36 games, Sutton was hitting .301 with five home runs and 26 RBIs.

He did appear in 28 games during spring training with the Red Sox, hitting .382 with two home runs and nine RBIs.

UPDATE: Michael Bowden is also heading back to Pawtucket to make room for Dan Wheeler, who will be activated off the disabled list on Friday.

Photo credit: AP Photo

According to a tweet from NESN’s Tony Lee, the Boston Red Sox have acquired left-handed pitcher Franklin Morales from the Colorado Rockies. In return, the Red Sox will send either cash or the famous player to be named later.

To make room for Morales on the 40-man roster, Hideki Okajima has been designated for assignment.

Since his breakout season in 2007, Okajima hasn’t been the same. He pitched well in Pawtucket to start the season before being called up to the Red Sox. In seven appearances this season, Okajima was 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA.

If this is the end of his career in a Red Sox uniform, he’ll leave with a 17-8 record with a 3.11 ERA and six saves.

Morales, who is just 25 years old, was a starter for the Rockies during the 2007 and 2008 seasons but has spent the past 2 1/4 season in their bullpen. In 14 games this season, he is 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He’ll leave Colorado with a 7-11 record with a 4.83 ERA and 10 saves.

In other Red Sox news, the Red Sox have signed Kevin Millwood to a minor league deal. It’s expected he’ll report to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Here’s a press release from the Boston Red Sox about Saturday’s game regarding both teams (Red Sox & Chicago Cubs) wearing the uniforms of their 1918 teams. And on a personal note, I’m glad I’ll be there.

BOSTON, MA- The Boston Red Sox today announced they will “turn back the clock” on Saturday, May 21 during the 7:10 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs to mark 93 years since the clubs’ last matchup at Fenway Park. Both the Red Sox and Cubs will wear uniforms that replicate the style worn in 1918, the last time these two teams faced each other in Boston.

The Red Sox home uniform will be a blank button-up with no lettering and a slight off-white or ivory color. The hat will also have a blank off-white tint, and the socks will be a three-part white/red/white composition. The Red Sox used this uniform and hat combination as their primary home look for most of the 1910s, and did not have any lettering on the front of their uniform for the bulk of that decade and the entire 1920s. The team did not wear the familiar blue cap with a red “B” until the early 1930s.

The Cubs will wear navy blue pinstripes and lettering on a grayish uniform. On the front left-hand side of the uniform, there will be a horizontal outline of a “C” enclosing “UBS” in smaller, navy blue letters. The Cubs will sport a five-part sock with grey, blue, white, blue and grey color sections. The road hat will have a navy blue bill and pinstripes (but no “C” or any other lettering on the cap). The Cubs used this uniform for only one season, as they changed their road uniforms on an almost-yearly basis during the 1910s.

The uniforms were made by Majestic Athletic, the official apparel provider of Major League Baseball, and are made of the same 100% polyester material as the teams’ current uniforms.

Each Red Sox player will sign his replica uniform after the game, and all uniforms will be auctioned to support the Red Sox Foundation. More information will be announced soon.

There are also plans for additional elements of the Saturday pre-game ceremony and game presentation that will be reminiscent of the fans’ experience in 1918.

The Red Sox and Cubs last played at Fenway Park on September 11, 1918, in the sixth and final game of that year’s World Series. Concluding a season that was abbreviated because of the ongoing World War I conflict, the Red Sox won two of the series’ first three games in Chicago. Boston returned home to take Game Four, before the Cubs staved off elimination in Game Five. The Red Sox then closed out the series in Game Six with a 2-1 victory, clinching their fourth title of the decade and their third championship in the preceding four years.

After the Boston Red Sox squeaked out a 1-0 win last night, it will be a battle of pitching heavyweights in the finale of a two-game set with the Detroit Tigers tonight at Fenway Park.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 p.m. (weather permitting) and will be televised on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Tigers television market, you can catch the game on FoxSports Detroit. If you don’t live in either market, you’re in luck as well as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game.  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 puts his 18.1 inning scoreless streak on the line tonight in his ninth start of 2011. In his previous eight outings, Beckett is 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA. He did not pitch against Detroit in 2010 and is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA in four career starts against them. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 1-1 with a 4.85 ERA.

Justin Verlander has also been hot as of late firing a no-hitter two starts ago. In nine starts in 2011, Verlander is 4-3 with a 2.91 ERA. He made one start against the Red Sox in 2010 receiving a no decision after allowing three runs in seven innings of work back on August 1st. He’s made five career starts against the Red Sox and is 2-2 with a 3.89 ERA. Four of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-1 with a 3.14 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:

22-20		22-20
1. Austin Jackson	CF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Scott Sizemore	2B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Brennan Boesch	RF	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Miguel Cabrera	1B	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Victor Martinez	DH	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Andy Dirks	LF	6. J.D. Drew	RF
7. Jhonny Peralta	SS	7. Jed Lowrie	SS
8. Alex Avila	C	8. Carl Crawford	LF
9. Brandon Inge	3B	9. Jason Varitek	C
Justin Verlander	SP	Josh Beckett	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

For a Third Time, MLB on FOX Screws Red Sox Fans in Connecticut [SOX & Dawgs]

Papelbon’s a relief for Red Sox [CSNNE.com]

Buchholz feels fine after record pitch count [CSNNE.com]

Video: Previewing tonight’s pitching matchup [ESPN Boston]

Sox, Cubs to wear 1918 throwbacks Saturday [ESPN Boston]

With Beckett-Verlander, no hit parade tonight [ESPN Boston]

Tito: Dice-K undecided about second opinion [ESPN Boston]

Run to Home Base draws 2,000; fans welcome at Fenway Park on Sunday [Extra Bases]

Galarraga is not a realistic solution [Extra Bases]

All of a sudden the Sox are right in the mix [Extra Bases]

Red Sox to `turn back the clock’ on Saturday against the Cubs [Extra Bases]

Game 43: Red Sox vs. Tigers pregame chatter [Extra Bases]

Buchholz continues Sox’ march to history [Full Count]

Pregame notes: Matsuzaka yet to seek second opinion [Full Count]

Fenway Park vs. Wrigley Field [Hartford Courant]

Jon Lester’s No-Hitter Anniversary, Chasing Ted Williams and Seven Other Red Sox Thoughts [NESN.com]

NESN to Televise Eight Red Sox Minor League Baseball Games Starting With Pawtucket-Toledo on May 22 [NESN.com]

Red Sox, Cubs to Celebrate Chicago’s First Trip to Fenway Park Since 1918 World Series [NESN.com]

Should Aceves or Wakefield be starting on Friday instead? [Projo Sox Blog]

Matsuzaka hasn’t sought second opinion [Projo Sox Blog]

Sox aim for sixth straight win behind Beckett [RedSox.com]

Preparations for I-93 Fast14 Crossover continue [RedSox.com]

Network anoints ’75 Series epic as top game [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Reuters Pictures, Getty Images