After winning 6-1 last night, the Boston Red Sox look to finish off the six-game homestand with another win this afternoon in the finale of a two-game set with the Seattle Mariners 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 Mariners television market, you can catch the game on ROOT Sports. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

The Red Sox will also be honoring former knuckleballer Tim Wakefield before the game. The ceremony is expected to start at approximately at 3:30 p.m. and will be shown on NESN as well. It will also be posted here on the site after the ceremony.

After being booed off the mound in his last start, Josh Beckett looks to continue the good string of starting pitching in his seventh start of 2012 and on his 32nd birthday. In his previous six starts, Beckett is 2-4 with a 5.97 ERA. He made two starts against the Mariners in 2011 and was 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA (6 ER/12 IP). Overall in his career, Beckett has made nine starts against the Mariners and is 6-2 with a 3.39 ERA.

Blake Beavan is also making his seventh start of the season for the Mariners. In his previous six starts, Beavan is 1-3 with a 4.32 ERA. Both of his career starts against the Red Sox came last season when he went 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA (9 ER/13 IP). He took the loss in his lone Fenway start after allowing three runs in 6.2 innings of work.

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:

16-21		16-19
1. Dustin Ackley	2B	1. Ryan Sweeney	CF
2. John Jaso	C	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	3. David Ortiz	DH
4. Jesus Montero	DH	4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
5. Kyle Seager	3B	5. Will Middlebrooks	3B
6. Justin Smoak	1B	6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
7. Mike Carp	LF	7. Cody Ross	RF
8. Michael Saunders	CF	8. Daniel Nava	LF
9. Munenori Kawasaki	SS	9. Mike Aviles	SS
Blake Beavan	SP	Josh Beckett	SP

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

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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Papelbon on facing Red Sox: ‘Cinco Ocho wants bragging rights’ [Clubhouse Insider]

Youkilis to AAA; Doubront OK after scare [Clubhouse Insider]

Stumbling through Beckett’s last 10 starts [CSN New England]

Josh Beckett’s Birthday Gift Guide [CSN New England]

Doubront ‘fine’ after taking ball off head [CSN New England]

Youkilis (back) to begin rehab assignment Wednesday [CSN New England]

Video: Can Beckett bounce back? [ESPN Boston]

Tito: Results will silence Beckett critics [ESPN Boston]

Video: Checking in from Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Middlebrooks knows he belongs [ESPN Boston]

Youkilis to begin rehab stint Wednesday [ESPN Boston]

Notes: Doubront hit by fly ball in pregame [ESPN Boston]

Kevin Youkilis to rehab make start for Pawtucket Wednesday [Extra Bases]

Podcast: A turn around the rotation [Extra Bases]

Daniel Nava and the lessons of adversity in player development [Full Count]

Red Sox pregame notes: A surprising source of strength in Red Sox defense; Youkilis to rehab [Full Count]

Josh Beckett Can Silence Critics for Now by Helping Red Sox Get on Hot Streak, Get Back Into Race [NESN.com]

Red Sox Mow ’49’ Into Fenway Park Grass to Honor Tim Wakefield as Part of ‘Thanks Wake Day’ (Photo) [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava Looks to Continue Improbable Hot Streak in Series Finale With Mariners [NESN.com]

Felix Doubront ‘Fine’ After Being Hit in Head by Baseball During Batting Practice Prior to Game [NESN.com]

Jenny Dell, Red Sox Producers Take Fans Behind the Scenes on Game Day (Video) [NESN.com]

Felix Doubront Struck in Head by Flyball During Batting Practice, Causing Pregame Confusion at Fenway (Video) [NESN.com]

Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Return Will Make Six-Man Rotation a Definite Possibility for Red Sox [Don Orsillo – NESN.com]

Doubront fine after being hit in BP [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis to begin rehab on Wednesday [Projo Sox Blog]

Beckett looks to rebound as Red Sox eye sweep [RedSox.com]

Doubrant struck on head by errant fungo [RedSox.com]

Doubront OK after getting hit in ear by ball [RedSox.com]

Youkilis to begin rehab stint Wednesday [RedSox.com]

Doubront hit in head by fly ball [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Youkilis rehab assignment begins Wednesday [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

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Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

Jon Lester had made two starts at Fenway Park in 2012. And he hadn’t fared too well in them going 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA (10 ER/8 IP).

That all changed on Monday night against the Seattle Mariners as the offense backed up his 119 pitch complete game effort in a 6-1 win.

For one, he was the first Red Sox starting pitcher to make it into the 9th inning let alone pitch a complete game. And he did it looking like a version of his former younger self.

He had great command and location on all of his pitches. He had gotten in trouble in previous starts when he got cutter happy. He barely broke out the cutter, instead relying on on his fastball, curve and changeup. Obviously all of his pitches were outstanding but his curve was second to none last night. With all of his pitches, he got 14 swing and misses.

Lester had great life on his fastball as he kept it consistently at 93-94 the entire night. He set down the first 11 batters he faced before Ichiro Suzuki reached base on an infield single that went off of Lester’s glove. He would end up scattering eight hits over the nine innings, seven of which were singles. He struck out six and didn’t walk anyone.

The only run he allowed didn’t come until the 9th inning. It also was his first complete game since June 27, 2010 and he now leads the Red Sox starters with a 3.73 ERA. It was also the fourth straight quality start from the Red Sox starters.

Simply put, Lester looked the ace that we all know he is and can be when all things are clicking.

Of course it helped when the offense got him an early lead.

After a Dustin Pedroia one out walk in the 1st, David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez followed with back-to-back run scoring doubles to put the local nine up front 2-0. They would add three more runs in the 4th when Daniel Nava hit a two-run homer and Kelly Shoppach added a solo shot. A Marlon Byrd sacrifice fly brought in Will Middlebrooks in the 8th for the final run the Red Sox would score.

With the way Lester was pitching last night, the only runs the Red Sox really needed were the ones in the first. And you know the bullpen guys were happy since they all got a night off with some rest that was needed despite the string of four straight quality starts by the starters.

Nava continued his tear at getting on base as he went 1-for-2 with two walks. The second walk he took was,get this, an intentional walk. Yes Nava was intentionally walked. That happens when your OBP is at .750.

Cody Ross and Kelly Shoppach both had two hits while Dustin Pedroia saw his 14 game hitting streak come to an end.

Josh Beckett will take to the mound tonight for the Red Sox and we can only hope that it goes better than his last start when he was booed off the Fenway Park mound. Given that his fellow starters have had those four straight quality starts, something tells me that Beckett will be at his best.

As fans we can only hope that or you know that the Fenway Faithful will boo him off the mound once again. Plus, all three facets are clicking for the Red Sox right now and you know he doesn’t want to be the one who puts a blip in the radar.

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

Lester shuts door on the Mariners [Boston Globe]

Hot corner heating up [Boston Globe]

They had grand similarities [Boston Globe]

Red Sox in complete control [Boston Herald]

Daniel Nava not being left out [Boston Herald]

Jon Lester superb with Kelly Shoppach [Boston Herald]

Decision day looming [Boston Herald]

Lester goes the distance, Sox win 6-1 [CSN New England]

Lester’s gem just what the Red Sox ordered [CSN New England]

Nava breaks homerless streak with two-run shot in fourth [CSN New England]

Crawford: Hamilton’s success no surprise [ESPN Boston]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 6, Mariners 1 [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Jon Lester dominates as Red Sox keep rolling [Full Count]

A relieved Daniel Nava: ‘Thank God, I’m not going to have just one’ homer [Full Count]

Fenway Park’s Blue Grandstand Seats Are Only Remaining Wooden Seats in Baseball (Video) [NESN.com]

Red Sox Would Be Smart to Play David Ortiz at First Base During Interleague Play (Video) [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava Excited He Won’t Finish Career With ‘Just One’ Home Run After Second Career Blast [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Continues to Lay Foundation for Red Sox’ Success [NESN.com]

Jon Lester’s Gem Continues Red Sox Rotation’s Turnaround With Fourth Straight Strong Outing [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava Didn’t Think His Home Run Was ‘Gone,’ But He’s Happy to Have Another (Video) [NESN.com]

Scott Atchison Copes With Stress Of Baseball By Adding Extra Emphasis To Family Time [NESN.com]

Lester turns in vintage performance vs. Mariners [RedSox.com]

Ellsbury building strength in injured shoulder [RedSox.com]

Cook throwing, but stitches remain in knee [RedSox.com]

Consul General of Japan gives Sox cherry tree [RedSox.com]

Nava making strong second impression [RedSox.com]

Youkilis swings bat, could return on road trip [RedSox.com]

Cook throws three simulated innings [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Still the one: Jon Lester’s season has a familiar top-of-the-rotation shape [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 Everett Herald, Seattle Times and Tacoma News Tribune websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother SeaTown Sports.

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

Three UConn Officers Get Prestigious Award in Jasper Howard Case [Patch.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Tulsa Shock Cut Lorin Dixon [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Angel High On Tiffany Hayes [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

SNY expected to offer live streaming of UConn games [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Geno Auriemma says Brittany Griner had ‘pretty good’ chance of making U.S. team [New Haven Register]

SNY president glad to have Huskies on board [New Haven Register]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn in the NBA Playoffs [Kevin Duffy – CT Post]

UConn’s glowing attendance numbers [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]

Other UConn related links

Former UConn AD Jeff Hathaway lands with Hofstra [Sporting News]

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

After taking three-of-four from the Cleveland Indians, including the final three, the Boston Red Sox look to finish up the six-game homestand on a positive note. Tonight, they’ll take on the Seattle Mariners in the first game of a brief two-game set at Historic Fenway Park.

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 Mariners television market, you can catch the game on ROOT Sports. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Jon Lester looks for his first Fenway Park win of the year in his team-high eighth start of 2012. In his previous seven starts, Lester is 1-3 with a 4.29 ERA. Lester did not face the Mariners in 2011 and was 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA (5 ER/15.2 IP) in two starts against them in 2010. He’s made seven career starts against the Mariners and is 2-2 with a 3.97 ERA. When he records his first out tonight, it’ll mark the 1000th inning he’s pitched in a Red Sox uniform joining 40 others who have done it before him.

Jason Vargas makes his ninth start of 2010 for the Mariners. In his previous eight starts, Vargas is 4-2 with a 2.79 ERA. He picked up the win in his only start against the Red Sox in 2011 after allowing four runs in seven innings of work back on April 29, 2011, which also marks his only start at the Fens. He’s made three career starts against the Red Sox and is 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA (7 ER/19.1 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:

16-20		15-19
1. Dustin Ackley	DH	1. Mike Aviles	SS
2. Casper Wells	LF	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Ichiro Suzuki	RF	3. David Ortiz	DH
4. Jesus Montero	C	4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
5. Justin Smoak	1B	5. Will Middlebrooks	3B
6. Kyle Seager	2B	6. Cody Ross	RF
7. Alex Liddi	3B	7. Daniel Nava	LF
8. Michael Saunders	CF	8. Marlon Byrd	CF
9. Brendan Ryan	SS	9. Kelly Shoppach	C
Jason Vargas	SP	Jon Lester	SP

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

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

Next million dollar question for Red Sox is the Youkilis-Middlebrooks quandary [Clubhouse Insider]

Mike from Attleboro: Place the blame where it belongs [CSN New England]

Youkilis steps up activity, gets ready for rehab assignment [CSN New England]

Valentine sidesteps question of what to do with Middlebrooks [CSN New England]

Red Sox injury updates on Cook, Ellsbury [CSN New England]

Lester tries to pitch Sox to 4th straight win [ESPN Boston]

Youkilis advances, but is not activated [ESPN Boston]

Valentine throws a bouquet at Nava [ESPN Boston]

When Youkilis returns, where will Middlebrooks go? [Extra Bases]

Ready to roll? Red Sox starters hold the key to team’s resurgence [Full Count]

Revisiting Kevin Millwood’s non-tenure with the Red Sox [Full Count]

Why Daisuke Matsuzaka’s rehab could go beyond 30 days [Full Count]

Red Sox new kid Will Middlebrooks is Major League hottie [Inside Track]

Josh Beckett Has Something to Prove and Other Thoughts From the Week in Baseball [NESN.com]

Is Felix Hernandez the Most Intimidating Starter in the Majors? [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava Sizzling at Plate As Red Sox Open Quick Two-Game Series With Mariners [NESN.com]

Derek Lowe Speechless After Red Sox Replace Pitcher’s Stolen World Series Ring [NESN.com]

Consul General of Japan to Present Red Sox With Cherry Tree During Pregame Ceremony [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine Not Ready To Make Decision on Futures of Kevin Youkilis, Will Middlebrooks [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Mariners and Reminiscing [Projo Sox Blog]

Millwood looks back on tenure with Red Sox: “I didn’t see myself in their plans” [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis getting closer, no decision on Middlebrooks’ fate [Projo Sox Blog]

Valentine: Ellsbury has “almost full range of motion” in shoulder [Projo Sox Blog]

Five days after getting shelled, Beckett looks to put controversy behind him [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox pass pitching baton to Lester vs. M’s [RedSox.com]

Bobby V: Youk/Middlebrooks plan ‘premature’ [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

When the Boston Red Sox returned from Kansas City, they had been not only struggling as a team but also at Fenway Park. They entered the four-game set with the Cleveland Indians at 4-10 at the Fens.

The series didn’t start off that well as Josh Beckett was booed off the mound on Thursday night. But after three straight solid starting efforts, the latest yesterday by Daniel Bard, the Red Sox find themselves with a three-game winning streak.

Since the meltdown against the Yankees in April, the bullpen has been solid. The offense has been a little up and down although it’s been more up than down. But it was the starting pitching that lacked consistency.

Bard had his rough moments yesterday but as the outing went on, the stronger he got. One of those moments came in the 3rd inning when after three straight walks, he walked in a run. He was bailed out by a double play.

Obviously the walks are still a problem for Bard but he still has been one of the most consistent starters the Red Sox have had. Obviously he’s reaching points he never has in the big leagues and it’s a still a learning process for him. But each time, it seems as though Bard has been learning from his mistakes.

The offense was facing old friend Justin Masterson yesterday, who had pretty much dominated the Red Sox since he was traded to the Indians.

But on Sunday, they exacted their revenge picking up four runs off of him in the 1st inning. Masterson did settle down after that only allowing a Will Middlebrooks home run and Jarrod Saltalamacchia RBI single the rest of the way.

They also teed off on another old friend in Dan Wheeler getting to him for six runs in the 7th inning. After the game, the Indians designated Wheeler for assignment.

Middlebrooks had a nice afternoon going 2-for-3 with three RBIs but the biggest day belonged to Salty. He finished the afternoon with three hits and five RBIs, including a two-run blast off of Wheeler.

Daniel Nava continues to be an on-base machine since his recall from the PawSox as he went 2-for-2 with three RBIs. He’s been on base in 12-of-16 plate appearances and has started each game since being recalled.

With the weather getting warmer, the Red Sox seem to be warming up as well. If the Red Sox can consistently get the starting pitching like they did these last three games and the bullpen can continue what it’s been doing, they could get back to .500 and beyond in no time.

But for that to happen, it really does come down to the starting pitching and that starts with Jon Lester who takes the mound tonight.

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

Incomplete, yet Bard still competes [Boston Globe]

Fenway lark [Boston Globe]

He’s leaving an impression [Boston Globe]

Off the Bard stuff [Boston Herald]

Nava proves right man for job [Boston Herald]

Growing up hard to do [Boston Herald]

Too soon to throw Dice [Boston Herald]

Instant offense: Add Salt [Boston Herald]

Red Sox mash their way to win over Tribe, 12-1 [CSN New England]

Red Sox happy with recent home success [CSN New England]

Nava taking new approach on life with him to Sox [CSN New England]

Bard doesn’t dazzle but he’ll take result [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 12, Indians 1 [ESPN Boston]

Video: Latest ‘State of the Nation’ [ESPN Boston]

Will Middlebrooks, Daniel Nava giving Boston Red Sox needed jolt [ESPN Boston]

Jarrod Saltalamacchia Says He Was Motivated to Give Daniel Bard Run Support [NESN.com]

Daniel Bard Calls Start ‘A Step Backward’ But Gets Win for Red Sox (Video) [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava Helps Key Another Red Sox Win After Call-Up From Pawtucket (Video) [NESN.com]

Daniel Nava Makes the Most of His Second Chance in the Majors by Igniting Red Sox Offense [NESN.com]

Bobby Valentine, Red Sox Show That Clubhouse Harmony Is Among Top Priorities as They Find Winning Ways [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury’s Return, Will Middlebrooks’ Spark Among Reasons to Believe Red Sox Can Win World Series (Photos) [NESN.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 Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, Burning River Baseball.

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

DC answered a few questions in his mailbag [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma and Six Former Huskies Lead Team USA Over China in Exhibition Play [UConnHuskies.com]

Auriemma gets feel for U.S. squad at weekend training camp [New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Huskies Suffer First BIG EAST Sweep of the Season [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Track. Crevoiserat & Wilson Bring Home Gold Medals At ECAC Championships [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Rowing. Rowing Finishes Fifth At BIG EAST Championship [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Rowing. Rowing Takes Part In Dad Vail Regatta [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Track. Men’s Track Concludes IC4A Championships [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. Men’s Soccer Handles Toronto FC Reserves, 4-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

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