After falling last night 7-4, the Boston Red Sox look to take the middle game of a three-game set this afternoon against the Washington Nationals at Historic Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 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. And if you don’t live in either market, MLB Network will have coverage of the game (not in Red Sox or Nationals television markets). If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Daisuke Matsuzaka returns to the Fenway bump almost one year to the day of undergoing Tommy John surgery. He made eight appearances (seven starts) in 2011 and was 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA. He has not faced the Nationals in his career.

Gio Gonzalez looks to keep the Nationals in first place in the NL East in his 12th start of the season. In his previous 11 starts, Gonzalez is 7-2 with a 2.31 ERA. He made two starts against the local nine in 2011 as a member of the Oakland A’s. In those two starts, he was 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA (8 ER/11.2 IP). Overall in his career, he’s made five starts against the Red Sox (all with the A’s) and is 2-1 with a 5.79 ERA. In three starts at the Fens, he is 1-0 with a 5.63 ERA.

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:

33-23		29-29
1. Steve Lombardozzi	LF	1. Daniel Nava	LF
2. Bryce Harper	RF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ryan Zimmerman	3B	3. Adrian Gonzalez	RF
4. Adam LaRoche	1B	4. David Ortiz	DH
5. Michael Morse	DH	5. Kevin Youkilis	1B
6. Ian Desmond	SS	6. Will Middlebrooks	3B
7. Danny Espinosa	2B	7. Mike Aviles	SS
8. Rick Ankiel	CF	8. Darnell McDonald	CF
9. Jesus Flores	C	9. Kelly Shoppach	C
Gio Gonzalez	SP	Daisuke Matsuzaka	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

The Baseball Show: Will Lester become a true ace? [CSN New England]

The Baseball Show: How is Bard handling being sent down to minors? [CSN New England]

Red Sox notes: Dice-K, Byrd, Ellsbury, Crawford [CSN New England]

Gio: ‘It was exciting’ to be wanted by Sox [ESPN Boston]

Valentine: Byrd ‘saved the day’ [ESPN Boston]

How Many Games Will Daisuke Matsuzaka Win This Season? [NESN.com]

Bryce Harper, Adrian Gonzalez Both Hot Coming Into Red Sox-Nationals Rematch [NESN.com]

Dice-K returns to Fenway stage as Sox host Nats [RedSox.com]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

The Washington Nationals and their two young prized possessions, Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, took center stage on Friday night at Fenway Park. It was Strasburg who kept the Boston Red Sox hitters at bay while Harper was busy mashing the ball offensively in a 7-4 win for the visitor’s from our Nation’s capital.

In years past, the Nationals have been a pushover. Not this year folks.

With their win over the local nine on Friday night, they now stand at 33-23 and lead the NL East by a game over the Atlanta Braves. On the contrary, the Red Sox fall to back to .500 at 29-29 but are just four games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

If you’ve never seen Strasburg’s stuff, let’s just say he’s filthy good. He throws his fastball between 96-100 MPH and has a nasty changeup to go along with a great curveball.

After the Red Sox touched him up for two runs in the 2nd inning, he settled down and retired the next 11 batters he faced, eight via the strikeout, until Dustin Pedroia singled in the 6th inning which turned out to be the only other time the Red Sox would have him on the ropes.

After the Pedroia single, Adrian Gonzalez doubled and that was followed by a walk to David Ortiz. But Strasburg beared down and struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia swinging and then finished off the threat by getting Kevin Youkilis on a called strike three. Youk didn’t think it was a strikeout and took exception to home plate umpire Doug Eddings call and was ejected from the game.

Offensively, it was a solid game for Gonzalez who went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and the previously mentioned double. He probably should have had three hits in the game but Xavier Nady stole a home run from him in front of the Nats bullpen in right field. Gonzalez along with Scott Podsednik can say they were the only ones who Strasburg didn’t strikeout. He finished the game with 13 strikeouts by the way.

Daniel Nava had two more hits atop the Red Sox lineup. Mike Aviles knocked in two runs with a double in the 2nd inning.

Felix Doubront started this one for the Red Sox and he looked good for the first two innings as he had his curveball working. But things took a turn for the worse in the 3rd and 4th innings when he was touched up for six runs. The main reason was that he was leaving pitches up in the zone, primarily his fastball and curveball, and the Nationals hitters took advantage of it.

Harper was one of those Nats hitters who did just that as he finished the night going 3-for-5 with a two-run homer off Doubront. He finished a triple short of the cycle.

In case you were wondering, Daniel Bard had a rough start for the PawSox. He hit two of the first three batters he faced and ended up giving up three runs in the one inning he was scheduled to work. Definitely not the start he or the Red Sox were probably looking for.

Yesterday Bard had said he found the flaw in his mechanics. It’s obvious after this one inning debacle that there’s a little more going on, probably mentally, for Bard. Hopefully, he can turn things around whether it be as a starter or a reliever. You hate to see someone with that much talent have something like this happen to him.

The Red Sox will welcome back Daisuke Matsuzaka to the rotation on Saturday afternoon. He’ll take the mound for the first time almost one year to the day after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It’ll be interesting to see what he can bring to the table tomorrow and going forward for the Red Sox who could certainly use a good outing from him.

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

Nationals show off treasures [Boston Globe]

Striking impression [Boston Globe]

Hype doesn’t get in way [Boston Globe]

Matsuzaka set for long-awaited 2012 debut [Boston Globe]

Phenoms rock Sox [Boston Herald]

Gio nice complement [Boston Herald]

At 19, Harper impresses all [Boston Herald]

Doubront can’t measure up in duel [Boston Herald]

Two National treasures [Boston Herald]

Bard sees progress in one-inning outing [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Strasburg, Harper overpower Sox [CSN New England]

Sox pleased with battles vs. Strasburg [CSN New England]

Harper torments Doubront [CSN New England]

Gonzalez collects 200th homer after being robbed in earlier at-bat [CSN New England]

Bard hits two, allows three runs in inning at Pawtucket [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Nationals 7, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Bard throws 1 inning in PawSox start [ESPN Boston]

Dice-K to return, start vs. Nats [ESPN Boston]

Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg overpower Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park debut [ESPN Boston]

Of phenoms, past and present: Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bobby Valentine [Full Count]

Before there was Stephen Strasburg, there was Mark Prior [Full Count]

Closing Time: Harper, Strasburg deliver historic performances as Nationals drop Red Sox [Full Count]

Bobby Valentine Downplays Notion That His Speaking Japanese Will Help Daisuke Matsuzaka in Return to Majors [NESN.com]

Stephen Strasburg Earns Respect From Red Sox Clubhouse As One of Baseball’s Elite Pitchers [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine’s Defense of Kevin Youkilis Shows Manager’s Commitment to Red Sox Through Peaks and Valleys [NESN.com]

Bryce Harper Relishes Fenway Park Atmosphere, Exceeds Expectations Against Red Sox [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Feeling Confident in Swing Again After Underwhelming Start to Season (Video) [NESN.com]

Former pitching coach Cather weighs in on Bard [Pawtucket Times]

Dice-K looking forward to ’emotional’ return [RedSox.com]

Command issues follow Bard to Triple-A [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 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.

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

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Lamb Fighting Laid-Back Reputation [Hartford Courant]

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

With Daisuke Matsuzaka returning to the Boston Red Sox rotation on Saturday, the team had to clear a roster spot for him not only on the 25-man roster but also on the 40-man roster. The reason being is that the Red Sox had placed Dice-K on the 60-Day DL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Scott Podsednik.

After the game, Alex Speier of WEEI.com via Twitter reported that Marlon Byrd was meeting with Red Sox officials and manager Bobby Valentine after Friday night’s 7-4 loss to the Washington Nationals. Shortly thereafter, Ian Browne of MLB.com via Twitter reported that Byrd was going to be designated for assignment to make room for Dice-K.

Once the transaction becomes official, the Red Sox will have 10 days to trade Byrd or give him his outright release. If any team claims Byrd, they’d be responsible for what is remaining on the $6.5 million he’s set to earn this season.

Byrd was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on April 21st for Michael Bowden and a player to be named later who turned out to be Hunter Cervenka.

After starting out the season 3-for-43 with the Cubbies, Byrd hit .270 (27-for-100) with one home run and seven RBIs in 34 games for the local nine.

Dice-K’s last start in a Red Sox uniform came on May 16, 2011 when he got a no decision against the Baltimore Orioles. He ended up going on the disabled list on May 18, 2011 and had Tommy John surgery on June 10, 2011.

So he’ll be making his first start almost one year to the day, he underwent the dreaded surgery. Through two different rehab assignments this year, Dice-K went 0-3 with a 3.65 ERA making one start with the Salem Red Sox, one with the Portland Sea Dogs and six with the Pawtucket Red Sox.

With Daniel Bard‘s struggles continuing in his first start for the PawSox on Friday, it will be interesting to see what Matsuzaka brings to the table on Saturday as well as going forward.

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

After losing two-of-three to the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox will finish off their six-game homestand with interleague play. Tonight, they’ll welcome the Washington Nationals to Historic Fenway Park for the first game of a three-game set.

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 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.

Felix Doubront looks to continue his fine season in his 12th start of 2012. In his previous 11 starts, Doubront is 6-2 with a 3.75 ERA. He’s never faced the Nationals in his career.

Stephen Strasburg is also making his 12th start of the season for the NL East-leading Nationals. In his 11 previous starts, Strasburg is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA. Tonight marks his first career start against the Red Sox and at the Fens.

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:

32-23		29-28
1. Danny Espinosa	2B	1. Daniel Nava	LF
2. Bryce Harper	CF	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. Kevin Youkilis	3B
7. Xavier Nady	RF	7. Ryan Sweeney	RF
8. Tyler Moore	LF	8. Mike Aviles	SS
9. Jesus Flores	C	9. Scott Podsednik	CF
Stephen Strasburg	SP	Felix Doubront	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

Fast friends Will Middlebrooks, Bryce Harper making big impressions [Clubhouse Insider]

Duel identity tonight at Fenway [CSN New England]

Valentine: Limit voices talking to Bard [CSN New England]

Red Sox eager to face Strasburg, Harper [CSN New England]

Sox set to face Strasburg, Nats [ESPN Boston]

Young meets old as Harper hits Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Bobby V: Strasburg ‘like looking at a rainbow’ [ESPN Boston]

Bryce Harper: ‘Cool to come in here and play’ [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox to recognize Pan-Mass cyclists [Extra Bases]

Bobby V on Harper, Strasburg and the 60s [Extra Bases]

Pedroia feeling better about his thumb [Extra Bases]

Daniel Bard on demotion: ‘I’m just an employee here’ [Full Count]

Does Bryce Harper’s Attitude Rub You the Wrong Way? [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava’s Ability to Get on Base Earns Him Another Game Atop Boston’s Order [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Likens Stephen Strasburg to ‘Looking At a Rainbow’, Showers Bryce Harper With Praise [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka Ready For Return, Bobby Valentine Doesn’t Believe Speaking Japanese Will Help [NESN.com]

Bard discusses demotion, mechanical flaws [Pawtucket Times]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Nationals and Being Presidential [Projo Sox Blog]

Matsuzaka says Saturday will be “a very emotional day” [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine impressed by Harper [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox excited for challenge of Strasburg [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine confident in Saltalamacchia’s durability [Projo Sox Blog]

Doubront, Red Sox open set vs. Strasburg, Nats [RedSox.com]

Upstart Nava may finally get an agent [RedSox.com]

Like Harper, Valentine was a 19-year-old rookie [RedSox.com]

Dice-K looking forward to ’emotional’ return [RedSox.com]

A Nationals event: Red Sox marvel at Harper, Strasburg [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Daisuke: Return ‘represents a new start’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

NESN Presents “The Adventures of Ellsbury ‘n’ Elf,” Episode 582-D: Nothing a Few Name Tags Wouldn’t Fix [Surviving Grady]

Castiglione Looks at a Life of Broadcasting Sox [The Big Lead]

Podcast: Bard, Nava and depth perception [Touching All the Bases]

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

photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

The Baltimore Orioles came into last night’s game looking for their second sweep of the Boston Red Sox this season at Historic Fenway Park. Fortunately for the local nine, Clay Buchholz had other plans for the O’s last night.

Ever since rediscovering his changeup, Buchholz has been a completely different pitcher. Sure his 125 pitch complete game effort last night raised his record to 6-2 and dropped his ERA to 5.77 but could you imagine what his ERA might be had he not thrown those stinkers earlier on in the season.

Clay definitely looks more confident on the mound now and you have to wonder if the back injury from last year played a part in his brain earlier in the season.

He had good life on his fastball last night and commanded all of his pitches, especially his changeup and curveball. His only walk of the night didn’t come until the 9th inning. He finished the evening scattering four hits with the one walk while striking out six.

Buchholz now has three complete game shutouts and ironically enough, all three of them have come against the Orioles. One of those was his no-hitter against them back in 2007.

With things going good for Josh Beckett and Buchholz and if Jon Lester can turn it around, they could look like the Big Three that the Red Sox were hoping for.

The Red Sox offense got to Orioles starter Brian Matusz early last night. In a contrast of starting pitchers, Matusz had no command of his pitches last night. He was having trouble throwing strikes and when he did, it seemed like the Red Sox were making contact them.

Adrian Gonzalez, who himself has been in a funk at the plate, brought in the first two Red Sox runs with a double in the 1st inning. That double was part of a three-hit effort for Gonzalez who once again got the start in right field.

Daniel Nava continues to deliver at the plate as he added two hits, including a two-run single in the 3rd that pushed the Red Sox lead to 6-0. Kevin Youkilis added two hits for the winners as well.

Things are not going to get easier for the Red Sox over the weekend.

Like the O’s, the Washington Nationals are a different team now and are leading the NL East by two games. And they will have there top three pitchers going in the series. It should be a fun series to watch though with interleague play starting tonight for the next 15 games.

At least for the weekend, we don’t have to see how Bobby Valentine will try to work Youk, Gonzo, David Ortiz and Will Middlebrooks into the lineup. That fun will come starting on Monday when the local nine heads to the Overton section of Miami.

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

Buchholz’s changeup a beauty [Boston Globe]

Bard ready to work on mechanics [Boston Globe]

Sixth sense: Gonzalez simply being selective [Boston Globe]

Brentz was a five-hit wonder [Boston Globe]

Crawford can start throwing program [Boston Globe]

Young talent a source of National pride [Boston Globe]

Adrian Gonzalez, Sox end slides [Boston Herald]

Darnell McDonald right (left, center) on time [Boston Herald]

Andrew Miller grasps Daniel Bard’s dilemma [Boston Herald]

Change good for Clay Buchholz [Boston Herald]

Boston breaks streak, blanks Baltimore 7-0 [CSN New England]

Nava’s bat contributes to Red Sox win [CSN New England]

Valentine: Buchholz ‘was spectacular’ against Orioles [CSN New England]

Gonzalez works on finding holes [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 7, O’s 0 [ESPN Boston]

Bard ‘not thrilled’ with demotion [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Clay Buchholz dominates as Red Sox blank Orioles [Full Count]

Red Sox Prospect Derrik Gibson Could Soon Be Playing Shortstop at Fenway Park (Video) [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz’ Adjustments on the Mound Apparent in Pitcher’s Return to All-Star Form [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Impressed With Development, Production of Daniel Nava (Video) [NESN.com]

Adrian Gonzalez Feeling More ‘Comfortable’ At the Plate, Closer to Turning the Corner [NESN.com]

Clay Buchholz Transforms From Embattled Pitcher to Empowered One After Latest Gem [NESN.com]

Crawford, Ellsbury ramping up in rehab process [RedSox.com]

Valentine: Beckett’s hamstring ‘non-problematic’ [RedSox.com]

Situations dictate whether bunts are needed [RedSox.com]

When ‘really bad’ is not so bad: Adrian Gonzalez sees an upswing [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

A Nationals event: Red Sox marvel at Harper, Strasburg [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 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.

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

UConn Gets Commitment Today From Dhameer Bradley, Speedster From Maryland, For 2013 [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Tiffany Hayes Having Fun As A Professional [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Jessica Moore Takes The Show To Atlanta [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Dolson Talks Consistency, Skydiving, Tuck and Jefferson [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

A few words with UConn coach Jim Calhoun [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

Drummond Looks To Clear Up Mystery About His Motor [Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Track. Injury Forces Waruch Out Of NCAA Competition [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Flowers Finishes 15th In Hammer At NCAA Championships [UConnHuskies.com]

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