After being swept by the Washington Nationals over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox embark on a six-game interleague road trip. Tonight they’ll kick it off at Marlins Park in the first game of a three-game set with the Miami Marlins.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Marlins television market, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Florida. And if you don’t live in either market, ESPN will have coverage of the game (not in Red Sox or Marlins television markets). The game will also be available online at ESPN3.com or on your mobile device with the WatchESPN app. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Josh Beckett looks to keep his good pitching going in his 12th start of 2012. In his previous 11 starts, Beckett is 4-6 with a 4.04 ERA. Tonight marks his first career start against the club where he got his start. Beckett has not pitched at Marlins Park but was 26-14 with a 3.15 ERA in 56 games (55 appearances) in Miami.

Josh Johnson makes his 13th start of 2012 for new Marlins skipper Ozzie Guillen. In his previous 12 starts, Johnson is 3-4 with a 4.56 ERA. He’s made one career start against the Red Sox and that came back in 2006 at home. In that start, he took a no decision after allowing three runs in seven innings of work.

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

Here are today’s lineups:

29-31		31-29
1. Scott Podsednik	LF	1. Jose Reyes	SS
2. Dustin Pedroia	2B	2. Donovan Solano	2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez	RF	3. Hanley Ramirez	3B
4. David Ortiz	1B	4. Giancarlo Stanton	RF
5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	5. Logan Morrison	LF
6. Kevin Youkilis	3B	6. Gaby Sanchez	1B
7. Ryan Sweeney	CF	7. Chris Coghlan	CF
8. Mike Aviles	SS	8. John Buck	C
9. Josh Beckett	P	9. Josh Johnson	P
Josh Beckett	SP	Josh Johnson	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

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Ross to rehab this week, Cook to pitch [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Cody Ross set to rehab with PawSox this weekend [Clubhouse Insider]

Daniel Bard set to pitch out of bullpen tonight for Pawtucket [Clubhouse Insider]

Hello, Hanley [CSN New England]

Injury notes: Ross, Cook progressing well [CSN New England]

Hill (strained flexor muscle) may be out a month [CSN New England]

Sources: Sox didn’t aggressively purse Soler [CSN New England]

Ortiz: Home Run Derby ‘wears you out’ [ESPN Boston]

Random Red Sox thoughts from Miami [Extra Bases]

Greetings from Marlins Park [Extra Bases]

Hill could miss at least a month [Extra Bases]

Red Sox close to signing football star/outfielder Shaq Thompson [Full Count]

Once again, Red Sox outpitched [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Report: Pirates Inquire About Kevin Youkilis Amidst Efforts to Acquire Corner Infielder [NESN.com]

Red Sox Can’t Be Offering Excuses and Other Thoughts From Week in Baseball [NESN.com]

Marlins Take Jab at Celtics on Twitter As They Open Series With Red Sox [NESN.com]

Is Giancarlo Stanton the Most Dangerous Hitter in the National League Right Now? [NESN.com]

Mark Prior Could Eventually Get Call-Up, But Junichi Tazawa More Likely to Make Impact (Podcast) [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett, Red Sox Will Try to Cool Off Justin Ruggiano in Series Opener With Miami [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Pitching Staff Needs Consistency for Team to Find Success the Rest of the Way [NESN.com]

Red Sox Series in Miami Recalls Preseason Incident Between Bobby Valentine and Ozzie Guillen [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Marlins and Decadence [Projo Sox Blog]

Bard to pitch out of bullpen for PawSox on Monday, but no long-term change of plans [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine: Umps shouldn’t be asked to “do the impossible” [Projo Sox Blog]

Jose Iglesias still out 7-10 more days [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett faces Marlins for first time with Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Rookie Middlebrooks has big league skills [RedSox.com]

Adductor not the only important thumb muscle [RedSox.com]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

The Boston Red Sox need a wake up call. And they need it quickly.

Maybe Bobby Valentine getting ejected for protecting his players after some awful strike and non-strike calls late in the game is it. Obviously it didn’t work to rally them back in the 9th but it shows the players he’s got there back.

But if that isn’t it, they desperately need something to get them turned back around.

The Washington Nationals are not the doormat in the NL East anymore. Folks, this team is legit. The Nats are just not going to roll over and play dead.

They have one of the best pitching staff’s in the NL as evidenced by their numbers. And they came into Beantown this weekend and swept a three-game series from the local nine.

So what does this mean for the Red Sox?

Well for starters, it’s their third straight loss and when you break it down, they went 1-5 on the homestand. They are now a dismal 14-19 at a ballpark where they should have a clear advantage. In case you were wondering, they are 15-12 on the road.

I could sit here and talk about this game. But it seems to be the same old story for yesterday’s Jon Lester.

He just can’t seem to catch a break. He starts slow but finishes strong. But one play seems to haunt him.

Sure the no strike call in the 9th inning when it looked as though Alfredo Aceves had struck out Danny Espinosa played a factor especially because he took the next pitch and stroked a double to bring in Bryce Harper with the winning run.

Then you have the strike call against Dustin Pedroia in the 9th inning that would ultimately get Valentine ejected. The ball looked clearly outside. It wasn’t called that way.

It does seem like the Red Sox really can’t catch a break. There’s been so many injuries to guys this season that it’s not even funny anymore. Speaking of that, you can add Rich Hill to the walking wounded after he was placed on the 15-day DL with soreness in his surgically repaired left elbow.

In my opinion though, the Red Sox may not be as good as everyone thinks they are.

Obviously not winning at home is one thing but when you can’t do anything on offense against some of the better pitchers, things aren’t going to go well. They were totally dominated by all three Nationals starters. That’s just not going to cut the mustard in my book.

The Red Sox now head to Miami where they’ll play their next three games. One thing to keep an eye on is how Valentine gets at least three of his bigger bats, Adrian Gonzalez, Will Middlebrooks, David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis, into the lineup with no designated hitter for the next six games. The first time in interleague play it was easier since Youk was on the DL.

But now he’s not and at this point, the Red Sox need any advantage they can get. Not having the DH doesn’t help matters in the least.

Hopefully Josh Beckett can light up his former team in the Marlins.

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.

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Loss of temper [Boston Globe]

Elbow woes send Hill to DL [Boston Globe]

Ortiz the choice in drive time [Boston Globe]

Sox swept to finish dreadful homestand [Boston Herald]

Lester’s losing patience [Boston Herald]

Losers lamenting [Boston Herald]

Umps, Nationals get best of Red Sox [Boston Herald]

Red Sox suffer 4-3 loss, sweep at hands of Nats [CSN New England]

Lester on starts: ‘It’s just Groundhog Day every day’ [CSN New England]

Nava scratched from Sunday’s game with sore left hand [CSN New England]

Questionable umpiring leaves Sox with bad taste [CSN New England]

Aceves still confident in his stuff after loss [CSN New England]

Red Sox blow chances in 9th inning [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Nationals 4, Red Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

Nava scratched, gets cortisone shot in hand [ESPN Boston]

Bobby Valentine grumbles about umpires after Washington Nationals sweep Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

Nationals finish sweep with ninth-inning win vs. Red Sox [Full Count]

Red Sox frustration mounts as they’re swept away by the Nationals [Full Count]

Bobby Valentine Rips Umpiring Crew, Dustin Pedroia Says Calls During the Weekend Were ‘Disappointing’ [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava’s Hand Injury Remains a Mystery As He Contradicts Bobby Valentine’s Description [NESN.com]

Fenway Park Sells Out 745th Consecutive Regular-Season Game, Most in History of Any Major League Sport [NESN.com]

Consistency From Pitching Staff is Key to Red Sox’ Success the Rest of the Way [NESN.com]

Red Sox Won’t Be an Elite Team If They Can’t Hit Elite Pitching [NESN.com]

Red Sox conclude homestand on sour note [RedSox.com]

The next Hanley? Why Red Sox prospect Xander Bogaerts could be the next big thing [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, be sure to head over to the MASN, Washington Post and Washington Times websites. Also be sure to check out our Bloguin brother The Nats Blog for all of your Nationals needs.

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

photo credit: Getty Images

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

Video: UConn’s defensive leaders [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Charles Sets Another WNBA Record [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Tiffany Hayes’ return spoiled by Tina Charles, Connecticut [New Haven Register]

Sun’s Charles’ 50th double-double sets WNBA speed record [Norwich Bulletin]

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

With Daniel Bard down in Triple-A trying to figure things out with his mechanics, the Boston Red Sox turned to Daisuke Matsuzaka to take his place. And with Dice-K returning to the hill for the first time in a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, no one quite knew what to expect from him.

Would we see the Dice-K who’s been dominating on the mound or would we see the one who has struggled? Well after watching him yesterday, I’d say it was a little bit of both.

He came out strong in the 1st inning striking out two of the three batters he faced. Then after giving up a leadoff home run to Adam LaRoche in the 2nd inning, he settled down and retired the next six batters he faced.

The trouble began in the 4th for Matsuzaka.

He walked Bryce Harper then gave up a single to Ryan Zimmerman. After striking out LaRoche, Michael Morse brought in Harper with a ground rule double. Ian Desmond followed that up with a single to bring two more. Dice-K escaped any further damage when Adrian Gonzalez made a great sliding catch in right field on a Danny Espinosa liner and then doubled up Desmond at first.

So was this a bad start for Matsuzaka? Yes and no.

Obviously there are some things for him to work on. But when you look at the fact he walked one and struck out eight, he can build from that as well. And if Bard can’t figure things out, the Red Sox will need Matsuzaka to pitch well going forward.

For the second straight day, the Red Sox ran into some good pitching from the Nationals. This time it was from Gio Gonzalez who has struggled against the Red Sox in his career.

The local nine managed just two hits off of Gonzalez through the first six innings and finally got to him in the 7th.

After retiring Kevin Youkilis, Gonzalez walked Will Middlebrooks and that was followed by a Mike Aviles single. Middlebrooks ended up at third on a Harper error. Craig Stammen came in for Gonzalez and walked pinch-hitter Ryan Sweeney. Jarrod Saltalamacchia pinch-hit for Kelly Shoppach and once again delivered in the clutch, this time off of Mike Gonzalez, when he hit a two-run double to cut the Nats lead to 4-2. Mike Gonzalez settled down though striking out Daniel Nava then got Dustin Pedroia to foul out as he continues to struggle since returning to the lineup.

The loss yesterday afternoon dropped the Red Sox below .500. We had all hoped the would stay above going forward once they had gotten above that line. Obviously they’ve run into some good pitching but they need to put together a nice little run here, especially when they’ll lose the DH for the next six games after the game this afternoon.

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

After falling 4-2 yesterday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox look to avoid a sweep of their three-game set this afternoon with the Washington Nationals at Historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Nationals television market, you can catch the game on MASN. 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 13th time this season this afternoon. In his previous 12 starts, Lester is 3-4 with a 4.64 ERA. He last faced the Nats in 2009 when he got the win after allowing three runs in six innings of work. Overall in his career, he’s made two starts against the Nationals and is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12 IP). In 18 career interleague starts, Lester is 10-4 with a 2.99 ERA.

Jordan Zimmermann looks to pitch the Nats to a sweep of the Red Sox in his 12th start of 2012. In his previous 11 starts, Zimmermann is 3-5 with a 2.82 ERA. He picked up the win back in 2009 in his only career start against the Red Sox at Nationals Park. In that start, he allowed one run in seven innings of work. H

Here are today’s lineups:

34-23		29-30
1. Danny Espinosa	2B	1. Scott Podsednik	CF
2. Xavier Nady	RF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Michael Morse	DH	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Adam LaRoche	1B	5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
6. Ian Desmond	SS	6. Will Middlebrooks	3B
7. Tyler Moore	LF	7. Ryan Sweeney	RF
8. Jesus Flores	C	8. Nick Punto	SS
9. Roger Bernadina	CF	9. Darnell McDonald	LF
Jordan Zimmermann	SP	Jon Lester	SP

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

NOTES: Before yesterday’s game, the Red Sox activated Ryan Kalish from the 60-day DL and optioned him to Pawtucket. To make room on the 40-man roster for him, the Red Sox moved Jason Repko to the 60-day DL. Rich Hill was placed on the 15-day DL before today’s game. Taking his place on the 25-man roster is Mark Melancon who was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket. Daniel Nava was scratched from the lineup and replaced by Darnell McDonald.

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

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Sox are powerless to hit back [Boston Globe]

Lefty Gonzalez a tough follow-up act for Nationals [Boston Globe]

Outfielder Byrd is designated for assignment [Boston Globe]

They need Dice-K, and more [Boston Globe]

Daisuke Matsuzaka returns, Dustin Pedroia continues to struggle in Red Sox’ loss to Nats [Boston Herald]

Morales just does his job [Boston Herald]

Optimistic yet? No Dice [Boston Herald]

Coach pitches in with ‘Craw’ [Boston Herald]

Melancon back, Hill goes on DL and schedules visit to Dr. Andrews [Clubhouse Insider]

Nationals stymie Sox in Dice-K’s return, 4-2 [CSN New England]

Many positives, but Dice-K regrets walk to Harper [CSN New England]

Sox stretching out Morales [CSN New England]

Pedroia still searching for timing [CSN New England]

Hill (elbow) to DL, Melancon back with Sox [CSN New England]

Hill (elbow) to be examined on Monday [CSN New England]

Youkilis, Aviles get Sunday off vs. Nationals [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Nationals 4, Red Sox 2 [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K’s return something to build off [ESPN Boston]

Pedroia: Ankle is OK, hits will come [ESPN Boston]

Morales effective in stretched-out role [ESPN Boston]

Sox recall Melancon, put Hill on DL [ESPN Boston]

Mark Melancon up from AAA; Rich Hill to DL [Extra Bases]

Rich Hill to see Dr. James Andrews in Florida tomorrow [Extra Bases]

Daniel Nava scratched with sore left hand [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Gio Gonzalez, Nationals spoil Daisuke Matsuzaka’s return [Full Count]

Red Sox sign five college seniors from draft, close on deals with three more top picks [Full Count]

Franklin Morales showing his stamina, could be used for starting pitching depth [Full Count]

For Daisuke Matsuzaka, it’s a start: ‘Nervous’ outing offers a ‘usable’ foundation [Full Count]

Mark Melancon back in Boston after dominating Triple-A [Full Count]

Rich Hill (elbow) to see Dr. James Andrews [Full Count]

Nationals Are Young, But That Doesn’t Mean They Can’t Play October Baseball [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Returns From Yearlong Hiatus as a Mixed Bag Full of Positives, Negatives [NESN.com]

Dustin Pedroia Shrugs Off Tweaked Ankle Against Nationals, Recent Slump From the Past Week [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Should Be Taking Notes From Gio Gonzalez [NESN.com]

Is Will Middlebrooks or Bryce Harper More Deserving of an All-Star Nod? [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Says ‘I’m Not a Dinosaur’ Despite Accusations From Critics (Video) [NESN.com]

Rich Hill Experiences Discomfort With Surgically Repaired Left Elbow, Heads to the 15-Day Disabled List [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez, Darnell McDonald Lead Hot Red Sox Hitters Looking to Salvage Weekend Series With Nationals [NESN.com]

Melancon called up, Hill to DL [Projo Sox Blog]

Byrd designated for assignment by Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Crawford working on a new throwing motion [RedSox.com]

Dice-K has encouraging start in loss to Nats [RedSox.com]

Lester looks to get on track in finale vs. Nationals [RedSox.com]

A tale of two rotations for Red Sox, Nationals [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, 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 Women’s Basketball links

Ex-Huskies Hayes, Moore Return To Face Sun [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Calhoun takes his annual ride [Neill Ostrout – Journal Inquirer]

Calhoun says he’s not ready to ride into sunset [CT Post]

‘Borders are down’ for UConn men in pursuit of players overseas [CT Post]

Rain Doesn’t Dampen Spirit Of Jim Calhoun Cancer Challenge Ride And Walk [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Branford native, UConn product Mike Olt raking in Rangers system [New Haven Register]

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