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

It’s Football Time: Media Guide, Public Practices, Ticket Info [uconnhuskies.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Team USA Will Open Olympic Play Saturday vs. Croatia [uconnhuskies.com]

Auriemma: US Women need to win gold, look good doing it [ct post]

Ex-Tennessee Lady Vols team up with former rival Geno Auriemma to chase gold [the tennessean]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

What’s Hilton Armstrong up to these days? [the uconn blog]

Gay To Be Honored By Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce [uconnhuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

Over 200 UConn Student-Athletes Honored By BIG EAST [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Len Tsantiris Inducted Into AHEPA Athletic Hall Of Fame [uconnhuskies.com]

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

After being Granderslammed last night 10-3, the Boston Red Sox really need to get back on track 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 will be broadcast to 77% 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.

After being embarrassed his last time out, Jon Lester looks to turn his fortunes back around in his 21st of 2012. In his previous 20 starts, Lester is 5-8 with a 5.46 ERA. He took the loss in his only start of the season against the Yankees after allowing four runs in 4.1 innings back on July 8th. Lester has made 18 career starts against the Bronx Bombers and is 8-4 with a 4.33 ERA. 10 of those starts have come in the Bronx where he is 6-2 with a 3.75 ERA.

CC Sabathia will make his third start since returning from the DL and it will be his 18th start of the season. In his previous 17 starts, Sabathia is 10-3 with a 3.30 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox this season and was 1-4 with a 6.39 ERA in five starts last year. Sabathia has made 20 career starts against the Red Sox and is 7-9 with a 4.14 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 today’s lineups:

49-51		60-39
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Derek Jeter	SS
2. Pedro Ciriaco	DH	2. Curtis Granderson	CF
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Mark Teixeira	1B
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Robinson Cano	2B
5. Cody Ross	RF	5. Andruw Jones	LF
6. Will Middlebrooks	3B	6. Jayson Nix	3B
7. Kelly Shoppach	C	7. Russell Martin	DH
8. Mike Aviles	SS	8. Ichiro Suzuki	RF
9. Daniel Nava	LF	9. Chris Stewart	C
Jon Lester	SP	CC Sabathia	SP

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

NOTES:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

Nothing new for Red Sox [boston globe]

Lester’s uphill climb [boston globe]

Cherington keeping options open at deadline [boston globe]

Turning point was early [boston globe]

One wild thought: They’re done [boston globe]

Yanks Cook up a storm [boston herald]

Pedroia’s tired of excuses for losing [boston herald]

Ben: It’s all up to Sox [boston herald]

Pay attention Red Sox [boston herald]

Lester in the here and now [boston herald]

Reality hits hard [boston herald]

Carl Crawford medical drama takes another twist [boston herald]

Source: Sox keeping Ross despite interest [rob bradford – weei.com]

Cherington: Beckett not Sox’ problem [rob bradford – weei.com]

Crawford: Andrews said surgery inevitable [rob bradford – weei.com]

Elbowed out? Carl Crawford medical drama takes another twist [clubhouse insider]

Atchison suffers setback; Bailey, Matsuzaka set for rehab assignments [clubhouse insider]

Yankees blast Sox, 10-3 [csn new england]

Pedroia sounds the alarm [csn new england]

Merloni: I wouldnt’ do anything at deadline [csn new england]

Defensive miscues open door for Yankees [csn new england]

Tomase: Cherington should ‘exploit’ seller’s market [csn new england]

Cherington, Epstein take similar approach [csn new england]

Red Sox notes: Ortiz takes BP [csn new england]

Crawford ’embarrassed’ by four-day program [csn new england]

Ross: ‘I’d rather be of value to this team’ [espn boston]

Pedroia doesn’t spare the stars [espn boston]

Sox won’t stop believing after Yanks’ rout [espn boston]

Sox turn to Lester vs. Yanks’ Sabathia [espn boston]

Ross doesn’t want to be traded [espn boston]

Bobby’s roles: skipper, cyclist … movie mogul? [espn boston]

‘Embarrassed’ Crawford sits; Tito visits [espn boston]

Carl Crawford sits on ‘four-day timetable,’ future surgery still likely [extra bases]

Francona holds court in Red Sox clubhouse [extra bases]

Closing Time: Yankees help dig an even deeper hole for Red Sox [full count]

As he nears return, Andrew Bailey ‘[doesn’t] really care’ about role [full count]

Red Sox Pregame Notes: Bobby Valentine on his ‘manager no-no’ and Carl Crawford’s schedule [full count]

Jackie Bradley, Michael Almanzar leave impression during Billy McMillon’s 1st season in Salem [goupstate.com]

Jon Lester Alters Routine Between Starts, Has Batters Stand in During Bullpen Session [nesn.com]

Dustin Pedroia Blasts Team for Subpar Play, Challenges Them to Stop Using Injuries as Excuses [nesn.com]

Jon Lester’s Importance Now Greater Than Ever as Red Sox on Verge of Implosion [nesn.com]

Aaron Cook Takes Responsibility for New York’s Home Run Barrage, Says He Could’ve Minimized Damage [nesn.com]

Mark Melancon Has No Regrets About Career With Yankees and Failure to Become Mariano Rivera’s Successor [nesn.com]

Which Former Red Sox Player Who Joined the Yankees Do You Hate the Most? [nesn.com]

Josh Beckett Needs to Take Advantage of Support, Show Red Sox He Can Help Team Beyond Trade Deadline [nesn.com]

Carl Crawford Says Not Playing Is ‘Embarrassing’ as Bobby Valentine Reveals ‘Four-Day Plan’ for Outfielder [nesn.com]

Yankees on reeling Red Sox: ‘You can’t take them lightly’ [projo sox blog]

Atchison suffers setback in rehab appearance [projo sox blog]

Crawford out of lineup because of rest program [projo sox blog]

Bailey to start rehab, but still “weeks” away [projo sox blog]

Matsuzaka to rehab with PawSox [projo sox blog]

Francona holds court in Red Sox clubhouse [projo sox blog]

Doubront hasn’t backed down against Yankees [projo sox blog]

Lester looks to rebound, help Sox gain on Yanks [redsox.com]

Aviles’ miscue opens door to three-run inning [redsox.com]

Cherington will be prudent on evaluating trades [redsox.com]

Papi sheds walking boot, itching to return to lineup [redsox.com]

Bard making strides, could be back soon [redsox.com]

Valentine confident Red Sox will turn it around [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, 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.

photo credits: ap photo, ap photo

After losing two-of-three in Texas and a day off yesterday, the Boston Red Sox continue their six-game road trip with their first trip to the Bronx this season. Tonight, they’ll take on the New York Yankees in the first game of a three-game set at Yankee Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Yankees television market, you can watch the game on YES. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game (not in Red Sox or Yankees television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Aaron Cook looks to exercise his New York demons in his seventh start of 2012. In his previous six starts, Cook is 2-3 with a 3.50 ERA. His lone career start against the Yankees came last year at Yankee Stadium when he took the loss as a member of the Colorado Rockies after allowing five runs in 5.2 innings of work. 

Phil Hughes will make his 20th start for the AL East-leading Yankees. In his previous 19 starts, Hughes is 9-8 with a 4.09 ERA. He took the loss in his only start of the season against the Red Sox after allowing five runs (three earned) in 5.1 innings back on July 7th. Hughes has made 17 career appearances (nine starts) against the visiting nine and is 2-6 with a 6.49 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 today’s lineups:

49-50		59-39
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Derek Jeter	SS
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. Curtis Granderson	CF
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Robinson Cano	2B
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Mark Teixeira	1B
5. Cody Ross	RF	5. Raul Ibanez	LF
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	6. Andruw Jones	DH
7. Will Middlebrooks	3B	7. Eric Chavez	3B
8. Daniel Nava	DH	8. Ichiro Suzuki	RF
9. Mike Aviles	SS	9. Russell Martin	C
Aaron Cook	SP	Phil Hughes	SP

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

NOTES:

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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

Pregame notes: Ortiz starts hitting [rob bradford – weei.com]

Red Sox Must Do Something, Anything Before Trade Deadline to Provide Much-Needed Shakeup [tom caron – nesn.com]

Ben Cherington to WEEI: Red Sox not ready to sell [clubhouse insider]

David Ortiz takes batting practice, hopeful of returning next week [clubhouse insider]

Ben Cherington: ‘Best way to improve is with the guys that are here’ [clubhouse insider]

Valentine: ‘We’re headed in the right direction’ [csn new england]

Ichiro a Red Sox killer? [espn boston]

Ortiz on pace to return Aug. 1 [espn boston]

Bobby: ‘Time to put the pedal to the metal’ [espn boston]

Bobby: Sox ‘heading in the right direction’ [espn boston]

Video: Cafardo previews Red Sox-Yankees [extra bases]

Schedule does not bode well for the Red Sox [extra bases]

Cherington: Red Sox are still buyers at deadline [extra bases]

David Ortiz out of walking boot, hitting today [extra bases]

The Ichiro Show comes to New York [extra bases]

Cherington says Red Sox will be cautious buyers [extra bases]

Jerry Remy on D&C: Carl Crawford situation ‘a total mess right now’ [full count]

Kevin Millar on M&M: Red Sox should ‘make a splash,’ chase Matt Garza [full count]

Aaron Cook’s unique path to history (and the rumor mill) [full count]

Josh Beckett ‘absolutely’ wants to stay with Red Sox unless he’s ‘not wanted’ [full count]

So many questions, but time running out for Red Sox [tony massarotti – boston globe]

Police find missing Wally [necn.com]

Ben Cherington Admits Red Sox Are in ‘Unusual Position,’ But Will Look to Improve Team at Trade Deadline [nesn.com]

Are the Red Sox or Phillies More Likely to Get Hot and Make the Playoffs? [nesn.com]

Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki Coming Into Yankees-Red Sox Series on Fire [nesn.com]

Wally the Green Monster Stolen From Fenway Park [nesn.com]

Bobby Valentine Believes Ichiro Will Thrive With the Yankees, Improve His National Exposure [nesn.com]

David Ortiz Sheds Walking Boot, Says He’s ‘Going to the Moon’ In Batting Practice [nesn.com]

Daniel Bard Gaining Steam in the Minors, ‘Getting Closer’ to Promotion Back to the Majors [nesn.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Yankees and Hope [projo sox blog]

Cherington: ‘Right now, we’re looking to improve’ [projo sox blog]

Yankees hope Suzuki provides spark [projo sox blog]

Market forces as much of a factor for Cherington as standings [projo sox blog]

Red Sox sticking in rotation rather than bumping up Buchholz [projo sox blog]

Ortiz takes BP for first time [projo sox blog]

Valentine sees reasons for optimism [projo sox blog]

Roster flux gives Red Sox-Yanks a new feel [redsox.com]

Red Sox stopper Morales spends day in Fan Cave [redsox.com]

Wally’s costume returned after misunderstanding [redsox.com]

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

photo credits: reuters pictures, getty images

Over the course of the next four days, we are going to hear a lot of talk and rumors about whether or not the Boston Red Sox will be buyers or sellers. Part of that is the addition of the second wild card, a spot they are just 4.5 games out of.

The other part of that is the fact that they are in New York this weekend for a three-game set with the Yankees. Three losses to the Yankees and we can basically write off the 2012 season as a loss because odds are the Red Sox would become sellers.

There’s also the chance that we see the Red Sox be both buyers and sellers.

You may remember that back in 2010, the Red Sox acquired Jarrod Saltalamacchia at the trade deadline. He wasn’t acquired for that season but the future.

As a fan base here in Red Sox Nation, we don’t tolerate mediocrity. In a sense, the ownership group has spoiled us. But over the past few years, the Red Sox haven’t been to the playoffs.

They were last there in 2009 when they were swept by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 3-0 in the AL Division Series. They haven’t won a playoff game since Game 6 of the 2008 ALCS when they beat the Tampa Bay Rays only to fall in Game 7.

The team has gone out and gotten some big name players in John Lackey, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

Lackey hasn’t contributed much and was lost for this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Crawford struggled last year and had missed most of this year with injuries to his wrist and elbow. He’s back now but it’s still quite too early to see if he’s been worth the $142 million.

Gonzalez had a monster 2011 season but hasn’t put up the same numbers this year as last year. But he’s still doing well to be deserving of the $154 million contract extension he received.

Given how the 2011 season ended with the scandal and firing of Terry Francona, you would have expected the Red Sox to come out with a chip on their shoulder this season.

Unfortunately, injuries and subpar performances have killed any chance of the Red Sox building up any momentum. If it weren’t for the role players, Daniel Nava, Will Middlebrooks, Pedro Ciriaco, Felix Doubront, Scott Podsednik (when he was here), Rich Hill (before he got hurt), Andrew Miller, Mauro Gomez amongst others, the Red Sox would probably be worse for the wear.

It’s easy to sit here and say Bobby Valentine is to blame. I know I wasn’t the biggest fan of his hiring but folks, it is not his fault. He’s done the best with what he was given this year.

There’s always injuries during a baseball season. You never expect though that there would be as many as the Red Sox have had this season. And like I said above, if it weren’t for those players filling in, we’d be talking about how the Red Sox have already sold off some good players.

If the Red Sox really want to make a statement, they’ll step up their games and do their absolute best to take all three games from the Yankees. While it might confuse the front office into thinking they are contenders, it could end up being a big ego boost to the team.

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.

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

Time for Sox is now [boston globe]

Cook prepared to get series started [boston globe]

Hey, anything’s possible [boston herald]

Surplus parts could be moving [boston herald]

Miracles can happen [boston herald]

Red Sox search for consistent play [boston herald]

Source: ‘Nothing close’ on Beckett deal [rob bradford – weei.com]

Red Sox better off platooning Crawford? [espn boston]

Cherington talks deadline, Sox odds [espn boston]

Despite standings, Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees still a rivalry [espn boston]

It’s time to blow up Red Sox roster [extra bases]

Podcast: Harold Reynolds talks Red Sox [extra bases]

Red Sox Will Need to Solve Yankees’ Sizzling Pitching Staff to Stay Afloat in Playoff Race [nesn.com]

Pedro Ciriaco Relies on Bunting to Survive in the Majors, Spark Boston’s Offense [nesn.com]

Red Sox’ Trade Deadline Fate On the Line in Weekend Series Against Yankees (Podcast) [nesn.com]

Buy or sell? Red Sox could go either way [redsox.com]

Police officer fired after directing slur at Crawford [redsox.com]

With Yankees waiting, A-Gone enters Fan Cave [redsox.com]

Stacking up the chips: What the Red Sox have to deal (and why their most untradeable prospect might not be the one you expect) [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.

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

photo credit: ap photo

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as 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

Javon Hadley, Cornerback, Commits To UConn [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Malik Golden staying at Penn State [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn dips into Miami for Javon Hadley [espn.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno Auriemma looking for wins and style of play [ap]

US women’s hoops rookies are experienced veterans [ap]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Kemba Walker, Ray Allen Highlight This Year’s Jim Calhoun Charity Game Rosters [david borges – new haven register]

Ray Allen Camp in Storrs [kevin duffy – ct post]

Player Profile: Ryan Boatright [uconn huskies basketball]

Other UConn related links

W. Ice Hockey. Women’s Ice Hockey Releases 2012-13 Schedule [uconnhuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Bobby Rhine Invitational Created To Honor Late UConn Star [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Five Huskies Earn USTFCCCA Division I All-Academic Accolades [uconnhuskies.com]

W. Track. Heather Wilson Named Nominee For NCAA Woman of the Year [uconnhuskies.com]

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 – 77%
ANNOUNCERS: Joe Buck, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, Seattle, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants – 22%
ANNOUCERS: Kenny Albert & Eric Karros
MARKETS INCLUDE:  Albuquerque, Cincinnati, Dayton, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis

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