After falling last night 6-4, the Boston Red Sox look to make a statement in the middle game of a three-game set with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast to 72% of the country on FOX. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Jon Lester will toe the rubber for the 25th time in 2012. In his previous 24 starts, Lester is 6-10 with a 5.20 ERA. He’s made two starts against the Skanks this season and is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA (8 ER/10.1 IP). Overall in his career, Lester has made 19 starts against the Evil Empire and is 8-4 with 4.42 ERA. 11 of those starts have come in the Bronx where he is 6-2 with a 3.95 ERA.

David Phelps makes just his fifth start but 24th appearance of 2012 for the Empire. In his previous 23 appearances (four starts), Phelps is 3-3 with a 2.53 ERA. The rookie’s only two career appearances against the Red Sox have come this season where he has no record with a 4.50 ERA (3 ER/6 IP).

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 today’s lineups:

58-62		71-48
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Derek Jeter	DH
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. Nick Swisher	1B
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Robinson Cano	2B
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Andruw Jones	RF
5. Cody Ross	DH	5. Casey McGehee	3B
6. Ryan Lavarnway	C	6. Curtis Granderson	CF
7. Scott Podsednik	RF	7. Russell Martin	C
8. Pedro Ciriaco	SS	8. Jayson Nix	SS
9. Nick Punto	3B	9. Ichiro Suzuki	LF
Jon Lester	SP	David Phelps	SP

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

NOTES: Mauro Gomez has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. He takes the place of Felix Doubront who has been placed on the DL.

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Valentine: “I’m not doing a good job” [clubhouse insider]

Bard will rejoin Red Sox this season; Doubront to DL [clubhouse insider]

Cherington says Crawford hasn’t requested Tommy John [clubhouse insider]

Gomez called up; Doubront to DL [csn new england]

Cherington: Crawford ‘hasn’t asked’ about surgery [csn new england]

Amid losses and dysfunction, Ross wants to come back to Sox [csn new england]

For the Red Sox, tough road to .500 [extra bases]

Source: Crawford will ask to get elbow surgery [extra bases]

Opinion: Jason Varitek would be wrong choice to replace Bobby Valentine [full count]

Cherington: Crawford hasn’t requested Tommy John surgery [full count]

Red Sox Place Felix Doubront on Disabled List, Will Likely Activate Him Next Week [nesn.com]

Bobby Valentine Assesses His Managerial Performance, Admits ‘I’m Not Doing A Good Job’ [nesn.com]

Dustin Pedroia’s 12-Game Hitting Streak Makes Him Boston’s Hottest Hitter As Red Sox Look to Bounce Back [nesn.com]

Cherington: Crawford has not asked for TJ surgery [projo sox blog]

Doubront to DL; Gomez recalled [projo sox blog]

Back in Bronx, Lester looks to take down Yanks [redsox.com]

Sox prospect Johnson hit in face by liner [alex speier – weei.com]

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

photo credits: getty images, getty images

I may be in Charlotte, NC right now for my cousin’s wedding but I can honestly say that I’m surrounded by Boston Red Sox fans. So much so, that everyone was coming to me asking for updates on the game last night at the rehearsal dinner.  You see, the lovely young lady my cousin is marrying is from Massachusetts and so is her family.

Naturally everyone wasn’t too pleased when Franklin Morales forgot about Red Sox fans not digging the long ball against them and gave up three solo home runs in the first two innings of the game. They were very pleased to hear that the Red Sox had taken the lead when Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run blast in the 3rd to put the visiting nine out front.

Of course once again, I had to deliver some bad news when Derek Jeter hit a solo johnson to tie the game up in the 5th. And they were all none too pleased when the Yankees took the lead for good on a Jayson Nix bloop single. The last update they got from me wasn’t any better when I had to tell them that Nick Swisher had hit his second home run of the game.

Morales has done well for the Red Sox this season in ta starting role. But this is the second time the Yankees have light him up like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree in NYC. What that tells me is that Morales isn’t quite there yet. But he can get there, he’s got the stuff.

But for now, he’s just another average pitcher on a mediocre pitching staff.

Sure injuries have taken their toll on this team as a whole. But short of the turnaround by Clay Buchholz, it’s been the starting pitching that’s killed the Red Sox this season.

Too many times we’ve seen the Red Sox fall into a big early deficit and unable to fight back. We’ve seen the early leads for the opposing teams that the offense battles back from only to see the starter give it right back.

Because of this, the Red Sox haven’t been able to get on any type of roll. At the end of the July, the local nine closed out the month with four straight wins. The last time they had that many straight wins was when they won five in a row in the middle of June. During that stretch, it looked like they might be able turn things around.

Judging by the fact they are four-games under .500 in the middle of August, that hasn’t happened yet. And if I were a betting man, I’d say it probably won’t.

The Red Sox entered the final six games of this road trip with a chance to make a statement. Instead, they lost 2-of-3 in Baltimore and start out the Bronx portion of the trip. Couple that with losing three-of-four in Cleveland along with the mediocre starting pitching and there’s no chance the Red Sox make the playoffs this year.

That’s the only way the Red Sox have any chance of making it. The pitching needs to turn around and it needs to make that U-turn immediately. Last year I wrote the Red Sox were a virtual lock to make the playoffs holding a 9.5 game lead in early September. Obviously we all know how that turned out. That’s why I won’t say NEVER.

But it’s hard to stay positive about a team when the dirty laundry of this team is aired out in public on what seems to be a daily, if not weekly, occurrence. How can we expect them to stay positive when someone has a grudge with this team.

One thing to remember. Some of this guys are playing for their jobs. Not only for this year but for next year and beyond. And while some of them might not stay with the Red Sox, they aren’t going to give up.

But if things don’t turn around quickly, most of this fan base will have given up, if they haven’t already.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take a look at the overnight links from the media.

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Yankees hit five homers to beat Sox [boston globe]

They’re hard to believe [boston globe]

Ortiz standing by Valentine [boston globe]

Morales can’t conquer Yankees [boston globe]

Sox go in deep end [boston herald]

Situation takes its toll [boston herald]

Yanks have Franklin Morales’ number [boston herald]

Sox-Yanks: Rivalry? What rivalry? [boston herald]

Red Sox still can’t match misery of ’01 [boston herald]

Club paying for David Ortiz’s absence [boston herald]

Red Sox lethargic in 6-4 loss to Yankees [csn new england]

Valentine: ‘(Morales) just wasn’t good enough’ [csn new england]

Sox folds becoming routine [csn new england]

Varitek floated as Valentine successor [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: Yankees 6, Red Sox 4 [espn boston]

Takeaways from Sox’s loss in the Bronx [espn boston]

Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz says Bobby Valentine shouldn’t shoulder blame [espn boston]

Closing Time: Yankees pummel Franklin Morales, Red Sox [full count]

Red Sox Could Place Felix Doubront on Disabled List With Minor Knee Situation to Provide More Rest [nesn.com]

Bobby Valentine Keeps From Blowing His Top Despite Mounting Pressure From Critics [nesn.com]

Franklin Morales Finding Yankees To Be His Achilles Heel After Second Tough Outing Against Them [nesn.com]

Red Sox’ Insistence on Finding Silver Lining Wearing Thin as Evidence to Contrary Piles Up [nesn.com]

Absence of Vicente Padilla-Mark Teixeira Matchup Stunting Excitement of Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry [nesn.com]

As Red Sox stagnate, time to play the kids for some fresh air [alex speier – weei.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the ESPN New York, New York Daily News, New York Post, New York Times and The Journal News websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, NYY Stadium Insider.

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

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

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

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

UConn Football links

Osiecki back at UConn practice [jim fuller – new haven register]

Open To Public Football Practice Cancelled [uconnhuskies.com]

For UConn, Depth Fuels Competition In Receiver, Linebacker Corps [hartford courant]

Sophomores in key spots for UConn football [ap]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Asjha Jones’ Value Easy To Measure [john altavilla – hartford courant]

USA Basketball U18 Team Downs Colombia, 87-36 [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Nike schools commit to event [andy katz – espn.com]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Cancelled After Mid-game Lightining Delay [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. BIG EAST Releases Preseason Volleyball Poll [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Lacrosse. Five Fall Events and Alumni Game Planned For Lacrosse [uconnhuskies.com]

General News. Executive Director of Recreational Services Patti Bostic Retires [uconnhuskies.com]

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

I’m going to have to be brief this morning as I’m sitting in the terminal at Bradley International Airport.

As of late, whenever the Boston Red Sox have needed a big game from a starting pitcher, Clay Buchholz has stepped up and now looks like the true leader of the staff. Despite a rough start, he settled down and the offense picked him up in a 6-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles to salvage the finale of the three-game set.

Buchholz allowed two runs in the 1st and one in the 2nd inning. If not for a great throw from Cody Ross it might have been two runs. After that though, Buchholz settled into a groove. He also became the 43rd pitcher to throw nine pitches in an inning and striking out the side.

I do apologize that I can’t say more because I’ve got a lot to say. I guess it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

We’ll be back later with today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. So for now, let’s take at look at the overnight links from the media by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Sox get down to brass tacks in win [boston globe]

Some close inspection and introspection [boston globe]

Valentine swings Ellsbury over to DH spot [boston globe]

Dustin Pedroia, Sox salvage one [boston herald]

Little suspense in weekend series at NY [boston herald]

Larry Lucchino acknowledges ‘hits’ [boston herald]

Jon Lester, Sox brass ponder if woes will keep talent away [boston herald]

Brian Johnson hit on mound [boston herald]

Who will want to be a Red Sox after all of this? [rob bradford – weei.com]

Red Sox Still Have Plenty of Questions Left to Answer While Making Final Push for Playoffs [tom caron – nesn.com]

Buchholz, Pedroia help salvage finale with O’s [csn new england]

How about Bill Mueller as next Sox manager? [csn new england]

Sox owners make surprise visit, blame media [csn new england]

Are Sox too focused on trying to find the ‘rat’? [csn new england]

“If I ruled the Sox, here’s what I’d do…’ [csn new england]

Buchholz emerging as Sox ace [csn new england]

Time to play ‘Survivor: Fenway’ [csn new england]

Pedroia lets his play do the talking [csn new england]

Notebook: Brass’ presence gives Sox a boost [csn new england]

Sox owners show up in Baltimore [espn boston]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 6, Orioles 3 [espn boston]

Public visiting hours for Pesky on Sunday [espn boston]

Buchholz, Sox benefit from brass’ boost [espn boston]

The Boston Red Sox are unhappy with negative media coverage; here’s how they’d like their story told [espn boston]

Closing Time: Timely hitting helps Red Sox avoid series sweep from Orioles [full count]

A month after his injury, David Ortiz has a message for the doubters [full count]

Scott Podsednik’s Offensive Spark Proving Outfielder Deserves More Time to Help Red Sox [nesn.com]

Red Sox Offense Pounces on Oriole Miscues After Failing to Catch Breaks Earlier in Series [nesn.com]

Clay Buchholz’ Performance Against Orioles Embodies His Season, Ability To Recover [nesn.com]

Trags Bag: Red Sox a classic communication breakdown [mike petraglia – weei.com]

Buchholz fans side in sixth on nine pitches [redsox.com]

Ellsbury rests legs, starts at designated hitter [redsox.com]

Dice-K to make at least one more start in Minors [redsox.com]

Lucchino vows ownership will restore Red Sox brand [redsox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, be sure to head over to the Baltimore Sun and MASN websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother the Oriole Post for all of your Orioles needs.

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

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

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

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

UConn Football links

Big East title chances: Connecticut [andrea adelson – espn.com]

UConn hoping it will be Knappe time for opposing offenses [the hour]

Recruiting Review: Connecticut Huskies [cbssports.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno Talks About Departures Of Johnson and Engeln [john altavilla – hartford courant]

What Do The Olympics And Ice Cream Have In Common? [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Huskies To Make Three Big Monday Appearances [rich elliott – ct post]

Auriemma Fine With 11 Players On Roster; Chong Sets Up Visits [rich elliott – ct post]

Auriemma Not Interested In Coaching Team USA In 2016 [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn’s 2012-13 Non-Conference Schedule [rich elliott – ct post]

Geno not interested in 2016 Olympic gig [jim fuller – new haven register]

Auriemma has no concerns about 11-player roster [jim fuller – new haven register]

Stewart Records Double-Double In USA Basketball U18 Win Over Argentina [uconnhuskies.com]

Auriemma: Olympics ‘most pressure I’ve ever felt’ [ct post]

UConn Coach Geno Auriemma Says One Olympics Is Enough [hartford courant]

Geno Auriemma not interested in coaching U.S. team again [new haven register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Jim Calhoun eager to return to Huskies [andy katz – espn.com]

Other UConn related links

Take a Look Around the Redesigned UConnHuskies.com [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Opens Season at Home on Friday [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Woodstock grad ready to make her contribution to UConn [norwich bulletin]

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

Are you wondering if you’ll be able to see the Boston Red Sox take on the New York Yankees on FOX on Saturday afternoon?

Well here’s the breakdown courtesy of Fang’s Bites:

Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees – 72%
ANNOUNCERS: Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals – 27%
ANNOUNCERS: Dick Stockton & Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Tulsa

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