Red Sox News & Notes – 9/20

Conor Jackson(notes) #36 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his grand slam with Jed Lowrie(notes) #12 of the Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia(notes) #15 of the Boston Red Sox, and David Ortiz(notes) #34 of the Boston Red Sox during the second game of a doubleheader with the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park September 19, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts.

If you were a fan of the Boston Red Sox on Monday, your emotions were put on the roller coaster ride from hell. You went from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs back to the lows and finally finished up on a high note.

And by ending on a high note, i’m guessing you’re a little less stressed out right now.

The Red Sox got some bad pitching from Kyle Weiland and were also the victims of an awful call in the game one 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Then we had to endure yet another craptastic start from John Lackey in game two. Fortunately for Lackey and the Red Sox, the offense decided they’d had enough with his terrible pitching and put up 18 runs in the 18-9 win.

With the Tampa Bay Rays off on Monday, the Red Sox didn’t gain any ground on them nor did they lose any with the split. So the lead over the Rays remains at two games with eight games to go. And with the New York Yankees winning on Monday, the Red Sox ended up losing a total of a half game so they are five back there.

The Yankees and Rays both have ten games left with seven against each other. Obviously, you want the Red Sox to win the division but that would mean they’d have to win and hope the Rays win. But if the Red Sox lose, then you want the Rays to lose. But right now the only thing that matters is the Red Sox make the playoffs.

Speaking of playoffs, the odds are that after his start, Weiland won’t be part of the postseason starting rotation. I think he might make the bullpen because he’s been getting off to fast starts. It’s usually the second time through the lineup that’s been getting him lately.

Besides Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, there’s no clear cut third starter yet.

Lackey don’t deserve to be there with his 6.49 ERA. Erik Bedard will make his first start in a few weeks since being sidelined with a lat pull and knee issues.

This whole situation isn’t a good thing as we know pitching rules in October. And right now we don’t have it after Beckett and Lester. And the offense that scored 18 runs in the second game was doing it against Orioles pitching, which isn’t up to the caliber of the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers. Those would be the teams the Red Sox would face in the ALDS should they get there (I think they make it by the way. I’m not one of the negative nancies).

But for the now, the business at hand is winning games. Let’s hope that continues tonight against the Orioles.

We’ll be back later with tonight’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups, news and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links by click 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

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Hits Inside The Park Home Run [SOX & Dawgs]

Framework got them settled [Boston Globe]

Aceves’s work is drawing raves [Boston Globe]

Fans stay confident in crisis [Boston Globe]

Crawford sits with a stiff neck [Boston Globe]

His pitchers decision: They shouldn’t win MVP award [Boston Globe]

Hitting back [Boston Globe]

Split decision [Boston Herald]

Randolph all-too familiar with September swoons [Boston Herald]

Home run, but no trot [Boston Herald]

Papi: Aceves deserves starting nod [Boston Herald]

Sox flush with reality [Boston Herald]

Sox use big bats to beat O’s, 18-9 [CSN New England]

Sox happy to earn much needed win [CSN New England]

The Long Walk: Iglesias journey from Cuba to the Sox [CSN New England]

Notes: Lackey has no answers for struggles [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Red Sox 18, Orioles 9 [ESPN Boston]

BBTN: Sox aren’t panicking [ESPN Boston]

Closing Time: Red Sox fight back with a rout of Orioles [Full Count]

Jacoby Ellsbury electrifies, Conor Jackson amplifies and Red Sox offense explodes [Full Count]

Despite Red Sox win, Lackey at a loss [Full Count]

Video: Jerry Remy Flies Into Another Language During Opening of NESN’s Red Sox-Orioles Telecast [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Says Red Sox Control Own Destiny, Thinks 18-Run Offensive Attack Could Send Them in Right Direction [NESN.com]

Red Sox Offense Comes Up Huge in Nightcap, Rescues Club From Another Pitching Disaster [NESN.com]

Video: John Lackey Happy Red Sox Won Second Game of Doubleheader With Orioles, But Frustrated With Way He Pitched [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury, Conor Jackson Team Up to Make Red Sox History [NESN.com]

Terry Francona Insists on Giving Praise to Scott Atchison After Clutch Relief Performance [NESN.com]

Barrage in nightcap salvages split [Providence Journal]

Ortiz: Why not start Aceves? [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Crawford’s absence felt [Providence Journal]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun website. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

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

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 9/20

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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 some of the other sports. 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

Weekend rewind: Big East [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East news and notes [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

In review: Iowa State [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

Back to football, then back to expansion [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Big East notes: Where do they go from here? [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Paul Pasqualoni: Conference options have to be discussed quickly [CT Post]

Paul Pasqualoni says rivalry with Syracuse should be ‘big factor’ in school’s decision [New Haven Register]

Massachusetts Native and Former UConn Star Jordan Todman Has Unsuccessful Weekend in New England Homecoming [NESN.com]

UConn Move to ACC Would Preserve Storied Rivalry With Syracuse, Huskies Coach Paul Pasqualoni Says [NESN.com]

Cyclone of Reaction [The Daily Campus]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Watch Andre Drummond, Shabazz Napier on UCTV [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun: The Old Big East is Gone, It’s Time to Move on [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Jim Calhoun on expansion talk: ‘We’ve got to go some place’ [CT Post]

Jim Calhoun says he wants Huskies in the nation’s best basketball conference [Hartford Courant]

Calhoun: UConn should be in the top conference [The Hour]

Calhoun: ‘UConn needs to take care of UConn’ [CBSSports.com]

Jim Calhoun thinks UConn should own it [Eamonn Brennan – ESPN.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma and Five Former Huskies Head to Europe With Team USA [UConnHuskies.com]

Other UConn related links

The shuffle begins [Joe Perez – Norwich Bulletin]

UConn could be ACC-bound [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Source: UConn Has Serious Interest In Joining The ACC [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Boeheim thinks UConn and possibly Rutgers will follow Syracuse to ACC [Birmingham News]

Sources: ‘Better than average chance’ UConn will join ACC [CT Post]

Big East, Big 12 talking possible merger, sources say [ESPN Boston]

ACC Would Be UConn’s Best Bet [Hartford Courant]

UConn: ACC, Big Ten, Or Merger With Big 12? [Hartford Courant]

W. Volleyball. Behind The Block – #4 [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. No. 2 Huskies Ready For Ranked Showdown At No. 18 Boston College [UConnHuskies.com]

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

In The Red Zone – 9/20

In The Red Zone

The day after a win by the New England Patriots is always a good day even if in most cases it is Monday.  On Sunday, the Patriots beat the San Diego Chargers behind the arm of Tom Brady and the defense coming up with four takeaways at very opportune moments in the game.

Also the defense is starting to develop after a major offseason overhaul in which several new linemen and secondary players were brought in and the scheme was changed to hopefully address some of their deficiencies from 2010.

While they’ve given up over 800 yards in two games they’ve played against two quarterbacks who had very good days.  One, Chad Henne of Miami, had probably the best day of his career while the other, Philip Rivers of San Diego, had a typical week.

Last week we reviewed the soft yards given up when the game was in control and I’ll accept that for time coming off the clock.  This week the defense was just matched up against a very good, potent offensive unit and once again they had to choose what aspect of the Chargers game they would take away.

Well they slowed up the Bolts the running game, which the week before had well over 200 yards against Minnesota, allowing only had 98 yesterday.  And they took away TE Antonio Gates, one of the best to ever play the position, and they kept him off the score sheet.  That’s right the 5-time All-Pro and 7-time Pro Bowl selection did not have a catch for the first time since 2008 and was a non-factor.  Safeties Patrick Chung, Sergio Brown and Josh Barrett did a great job on Gates, playing him tight all game.  Plus Bill Belichick used the defensive ends to chip him at the line, ala Marshal Faulk in Super Bowl XXXVI, and knock him off his pass routes and take away any timing plays that Rivers had for him.

That being said they knew they also couldn’t take away WR Vincent Jackson, he ended up with 10 grabs for 172 yards and 2 TD’s.  You can’t stop everyone so you have to pick your poison and once again even though Jackson and Rivers had great games their team still lost.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

According to Mike Dussault of Pats Propaganda 25 of Rivers 29 completions went to Jackson, Mike Tolbert or Ryan Matthews.

New England head coach Bill Belichick had his weekly day after media meeting about Sunday’s game.

Patriots QB Tom Brady on the comments by former Patriots players on WR Chad Ochocinco “None of those guys have any clue what they’re talking about.  They’re not in the locker room.”  For comments about the game and other things check out the full Brady interview from WEEI’s Patriots Monday.

Former UConn running back and Chestnut Hill MA native Jordan Todman returned this weekend with the Chargers but the rookie is yet to see any game action in 2011.

From our friends at Awful Announcing comes this piece on Chargers play-by-play man Josh Lewin making fun of Vince Wilfork’s huskiness.

Connecticut native TE Aaron Hernandez took a helmet to his knee towards the end of the game on Sunday and did not return. Shalise Manza Young of the Boston Globe has learned from a source that he has a sprained MCL and will likely miss 1-2 weeks. While The Herald’s Ian Rapoport says there appears to be no set timetable.

With Hernandez apparently out, that means it’s time for Dan Gronkowski to get involved more.

S Patrick Chung hurt his thumb yesterday and he returned to play but did so with a cast on.

Massachusetts native and former UMass star S James Ihedigbo and LB Tracy White have carved out roles on the 46-man game day roster.

DT Albert Haynesworth says of the defense “when we put it all together…”

LB Jerod Mayo held his annual “Mayo Bowl” Monday night and several teammates showed up including K Stephen Gostkowski who brought his own ball, with the Memphis Tigers logo and colors on it.  Other players at the charity included QB Brian Hoyer, P Zoltan Mesko, WR Chad Ochocinco, DE Andre Carter and DT Albert Haynesworth among others.

New England plays the Buffalo Bills Sunday at 1 p.m. as the two division rivals face off in Buffalo.  Look for the Sox & Dawgs “In The Red Zone Game Preview” available on Friday morning.

Follow Steve on Twitter @djstevem

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 9/19

Brian Matusz (L), John Lackey (R)

After falling in game one this afternoon, the Boston Red Sox desperately need a win in game two of the doubleheader tonight against the Baltimore Orioles.

Today’s first pitch for game two of the day/night doubleheader is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The game will be carried on NESN if you live in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can watch the game on MASN. If you don’t live in either market, you may be in luck as the MLB Network is scheduled to have coverage of the game as well. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

John Lackey looks to be the savior of the day for the Red Sox as he makes his 27th and probably most important start of 2011. In his previous 26 starts, Lackey is 12-12 with a 6.19 ERA. His only start of the season against the O’s came back on July 9th when he picked up the win after throwing 6.2 scoreless innings. He’s made 18 career starts against the Orioles and is 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA. He’s made four of those starts at the Fens where he is 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA.

Brian Matusz looks to add to the misery of the Red Sox in his 11th start of 2011. In his previous 10 starts, Matusz is 1-7 with a 9.84 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox in 2011 and was 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA in five starts back in 2010. Those five starts also represent his career mark against the Red Sox. Three of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA (4 ER/18 IP).

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 this evening’s lineups:

Baltimore Orioles63-89 Boston Red Sox87-66
1. Matt Angle CF 1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. J.J. Hardy SS 2. Marco Scutaro SS
3. Nick Markakis RF 3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero DH 4. Dustin Pedroia 2B
5. Chris Davis C 5. David Ortiz DH
6. Robert Andino 3B 6. Jed Lowrie
3B
7. Nolan Reimold LF 7. Conor Jackson
LF
8. Ryan Adams 2B 8. Jason Varitek
C
9. Craig Tatum C 9. Darnell McDonald RF
Brian Matusz SP John Lackey
SP

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

Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

Johnson on foul call: ‘I don’t get that one’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Sox stars must swing into action [Chad Finn’s Touching All The Bases]

And the slide continues: Orioles 6, Red Sox 5 [Clubhouse Insider]

‘Nothing-to-lose’ Orioles can’t be taken lightly by Red Sox [Clubhouse Insider]

Ortiz wants Aceves in the rotation [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox trying to keep their cool despite their tailspin [Clubhouse Insider]

Red Sox drop Game 1 to Orioles, 6-5 [CSN New England]

Controversial call proves crucial in Sox loss [CSN New England]

Sox’ starting woes continue in Game 1 defeat [CSN New England]

Ortiz calls for Aceves in the starting role [CSN New England]

Weiland can’t buck the recent starting pitching trend [CSN New England]

Notes: Crawford scratched from Game 1 [CSN New England]

Red Sox blog: Rapid Reaction: Orioles 6, Red Sox 5 [ESPN Boston]

Ortiz: Aceves should be starting [ESPN Boston]

Ask Nick: Would Angels want Crawford? [Extra Bases]

Ortiz: Make Aceves a starter [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox ship keeps sinking in Game 1 loss to O’s [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia: ‘Season isn’t over because an umpire missed a call’ [Full Count]

Dustin Pedroia reminds everyone Red Sox still have the wild-card lead [Full Count]

Rooting for Yankees Painful, But Part of Pessimistic Red Sox Fans’ ‘Only Hope’ for Team to Make Playoffs [NESN.com]

David Ortiz, Terry Francona Upset Over Blown Call That Ended Red Sox Rally in Loss to Orioles [NESN.com]

David Ortiz Wants Alfredo Aceves to Start, Says Red Sox Need Someone to Go Six or Seven Good Innings [NESN.com]

Kyle Weiland Frustrated by Inability to Get Deep Into Critical Starts After Another Brief Outing [NESN.com]

Video: David Ortiz Has Seen Things Go ‘From Bad to Worse,’ But Says Red Sox Will Keep Competing [NESN.com]

Nuggetpalooza: A few more depressing Sox stats [Nuggetpalooza]

Disputed call mars Game 1 loss [Projo Sox Blog]

Weiland not happy with outing in first game of doubleheader [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox frustrated by missed call [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox’s lead in Wild Card trimmed again [RedSox.com]

Wheeler dealing with forearm stiffness [RedSox.com]

Drew to meet with Red Sox’s medical staff [RedSox.com]

Red Sox look forward to getting Lowrie back [RedSox.com]

Crawford scratched from Game 1 with stiff neck [RedSox.com]

Papi: Aceves should be in rotation, not ‘pen [RedSox.com]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, Getty Images

UConn Depth Chart For Buffalo

UConn Huskies @ Buffalo Bulls

UConn Huskies head coach Paul Pasqualoni has released his depth chart for Saturday night’s game against the Buffalo Bulls and there are some changes from last week’s against Iowa State. Most of it is shuffling of positions along the offensive line.

The odd man out of the changes along offensive front is LG Gary Bardzak, who is listed now as the backup to Moe Petrus at center. Jimmy Bennett was the backup at left tackle last week and is now the starter. Kevin Friend moves from right tackle to left guard with Mike Ryan going from left tackle to right tackle.

It does look as though DE Jesse Joseph could return to the team after a knee injury as he is listed in an “OR” situation there with Teddy Jennings who has fulled in admirably.

True freshman Deshonn Foxx is now listed alongside Nick Williams at kick returner. Foxx replaces Byron Jones on the depth chart there. Williams is now listed as the starter at punt returner with Taylor Mack backing him up. Last week’s depth chart had it the other way around.

Of course, there’s still no change at quarterback as Scott McCummings, Johnny McEntee and Michael Nebrich are all listed in an “OR” situation. Honestly, one of these guys need to step up this week otherwise it’s going to be a long season behind center for the Huskies.

For a full look at the depth chart, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

OFFENSE

LT: 72 Jimmy Bennett (RJr., 6-9, 306)
50 Tyler Bullock (So., 6-4, 298)

LG: 77 Kevin Friend (RSo., 6-5, 300)
69 Steve Greene (RSo., 6-4, 304)

C: 57 Moe Petrus (RSr., 6-2, 302)
70 Gary Bardzak (RSr., 6-3, 289)

RG: 63 Adam Masters (RJr., 6-4, 292)
65 Gus Cruz (RFr., 6-4, 288)

RT: 71 Mike Ryan (RSr., 6-5, 335)
61 Stephen Brown (So., 6-6, 290)

TE: 89 John Delahunt (RJr., 6-3, 247) OR
94 Ryan Griffin (RJr., 6-6, 248)
81 Corey Manning (RJr., 6-5, 247)

WR: 6 Kashif Moore (RSr., 5-10, 175)
84 Tebucky Jones (RFr., 5-11, 186) OR
31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)

FB: 39 Mark Hinkley (RJr., 5-11, 226)
47 Reuben Frank (RFr., 6-3, 238)

QB: 11 Scott McCummings (RFr., 6-2, 218) OR
18 Johnny McEntee (RJr., 6-3, 224) OR
2 Mike Nebrich (Fr., 6-1, 204)

TB: 24 D.J. Shoemate (Sr., 5-11, 219) OR
43 Lyle McCombs (RFr., 5-8, 172)

WR: 83 Isiah Moore (RSr., 6-1, 195)
85 Geremy Davis (Fr., 6-3, 211)

DEFENSE

DE: 48 Trevardo Williams (Jr., 6-1, 231)
26 Marcus Campbell (Sr., 6-3, 231)

DT: 4 Twyon Martin (RSr., 6-2, 273)
53 Ryan Wirth (RJr., 6-2, 268)

DT: 99 Kendall Reyes (RSr., 6-4, 295)
59 Shamar Stephen (RSo., 6-5, 315)

DE: 98 Teddy Jennings (RJr., 6-5, 248) OR
91 Jesse Joseph (Jr., 6-3, 262)
97 B.J. McBryde (RFr., 6-4, 277)

LB: 3 Sio Moore (RJr., 6-1, 232)
32 Jefferson Ashiru (Fr., 6-1, 210)

LB: 33 Yawin Smallwood (RFr., 6-2, 229)
36 Michael Osiecki (Fr., 6-1, 238)

LB: 28 Jory Johnson (RJr., 6-1, 227)
46 Marquise Vann (Fr., 6-0, 225)

CB: 7 Dwayne Gratz (RJr., 6-0, 195)
21 Gary Wilburn (RSr., 5-11, 197)

S: 15 Jerome Junior (RJr., 6-1, 215)
2 Gilbert Stlouis (So., 5-11, 183)

S: 25 Harris Agbor (RSr., 5-11, 199)
16 Byron Jones (RFr., 6-1, 187)

CB: 5 Blidi Wreh-Wilson (RJr., 6-0, 192)
29 Taylor Mack (So., 5-9, 169)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK: 38 Dave Teggart (RSr., 6-0, 203)
13 Chad Christen (RSo. 6-2, 211)

P: 86 Cole Wagner (RSo., 6-2, 211)
13 Chad Christen (RSo. 6-2, 211)

H: 13 Chad Christen (RSo., 6-1, 201)
86 Cole Wagner (RSo., 6-2, 211)

DS: 67 Adam Mueller (So., 6-1, 207)
66 Dominick Manco (Fr., 6-1, 251)

KR: 31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)
10 Deshon Foxx (Fr., 5-10, 170)

PR: 31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)
29 Taylor Mack (So., 5-9, 169)

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

Morning Red Sox Delight – 9/19

Jeremy Guthrie (L), Kyle Weiland (R)

The Boston Red Sox find themselves in quite a predicament after losing 3-of-4 to the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. Now they’ll host the Baltimore Orioles for four games in three days beginning this afternoon with the first game of a day-night doubleheader.

Today’s first pitch for game one of the day/night doubleheader is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. The game will be carried on NESN if you live in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Orioles television market, you can watch the game on MASN. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

The inconsistent Kyle Weiland will get the ball in today’s opener as he make his fifth start (sixth appearance) of 2011. In his previous five appearances (four starts), Weiland is 0-2 with a 7.58 ERA. Two of his four career starts have come against the Orioles. In those two starts, he is 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA (9 ER/10 IP). His only start at the Fens against the Orioles was his MLB debut back on July 10th. In that start, he allowed six runs in four innings of work before being ejected from the game.

Jeremy Guthrie looks to help the Orioles play spoiler in his 31st start (33rd appearance) of 2011. In his previous 32 appearances (30 starts), Guthrie is 8-17 with a 4.22 ERA. He’s made three appearances (two starts) against the Red Sox this season and is 1-1 with a 1.65 ERA (3 ER/16.1 IP). Overall in his career, he’s made 18 appearances (16 starts) against the Red Sox and is 2-8 with a 4.41 ERA. He hasn’t had much luck at the Fens in eight appearances (seven starts) as he is 0-4 with a 5.86 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 this afternoon’s lineups:

Baltimore Orioles62-89 Boston Red Sox87-65
1. Matt Angle CF 1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. J.J. Hardy SS 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Nick Markakis RF 3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. Vladimir Guerrero DH 4. David Ortiz DH
5. Matt Wieters C 5. Josh Reddick RF
6. Chris Davis 1B 6. Marco Scutaro SS
7. Robert Andino 2B 7. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
8. Nolan Reimold LF 8. Mike Aviles 3B
9. Josh Bell 3B 9. Darnell McDonald RF
Jeremy Guthrie SP Kyle Weiland SP

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

Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups

Notes: Carl Crawford was in the original lineup but was scratched with a stiff neck. He was replaced by McDonald.

Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.

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

Tito, Theo deserve some blame for collapse [CSN New England]

Nation STATion: Good, bad and ugly of Sox slump [CSN New England]

Where is your Red Sox panic meter? [ESPN Boston]

Crucial doubleheader at Fenway today [ESPN Boston]

Pregame notes from Fenway [Extra Bases]

For Which Red Sox Player Is It Most Important to Get Hot Down the Stretch and Into Playoffs? [NESN.com]

Boston Red Sox Amass Over 3 Million Facebook Fans [NESN.com]

Orioles Manager Buck Showalter Likes Red Sox’ Chances to Survive, Make Postseason [NESN.com]

Ryan Lavarnway’s Revamped Offseason Workouts, Positive Outlook Turning Young Catcher Into Feared Slugger [NESN.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Orioles and Dread [Projo Sox Blog]

If they can’t beat these guys . . . [Projo Sox Blog]

Weiland, Lackey start key twin bill vs. Orioles [RedSox.com]

A pennant race primer: What the Red Sox are up against [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Thank goodness for the Orioles? [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

Boston Kids Finally Feel Heartbreak [Wall Street Journal]

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

Photo credits: Getty Images, Reuters Pictures

Red Sox News & Notes – 9/19

Catcher Kelly Shoppach #10 of the Tampa Bay Rays holds onto the ball as Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox strikes out in the first inning at Fenway Park on September 18, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Boston Red Sox entered the month of September with 1.5 game over the New York Yankees for the lead in the AL East. At that time, they had a nine-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

But a 4-13 record in September with six of those losses against the Rays, including Sunday’s 8-5 loss, the Red Sox now find themselves in a race for the AL Wild Card. They currently hold a two-game lead over the Rays there and are four games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Red Sox find themselves 4.5 games out in the AL East behind the Yankees. Fortunately for the Red Sox, the Yankees and Rays will meet seven more times this year. So with them doing battle, the plan should be clear for the Red Sox. Keep winning and they’re in. They can’t worry about what those two teams are going to do each other, they can only control what’s in front of them.

Well what’s in front of them is a day/night doubleheader today, followed by two more games with the Baltimore Orioles, the last place team in the AL East. Then they head to New York for three games with the Yanks. They’ll end their season with three games in Baltimore.

Now you know the Orioles would love nothing else than to help end the season for the Red Sox by keeping them out of the playoffs. We know there’s tension between this team stemming from the David OrtizKevin Gregg incident.

If you take into account that the Red Sox are 8-3 against the Orioles this season and the fact they play seven more times, you would have to think the Red Sox would go 5-2. Like I said before, it helps the Rays and Yanks play each other the same amount of times, but going 7-0 would be much better at this point for the Red Sox.

Is is going to be easy?

No. Should it be? Yes. But because of the injuries the Red Sox are suffering right now, the task is all that much harder.

Kevin Youkilis is out. Erik Bedard has been out but will return this series. Obviously you’re not sure what he’ll be able to do. Josh Beckett looked to be fine. It’s the end of the season so everyone’s got a few bumps, dings and bruises.

But right now, it takes the heart of a champion to persevere what the Red Sox are going through with this slide. And 10 days, we’ll know if the Red Sox do indeed have the hearts of champions and find themselves as one of the four teams from the American League who will battle for the 2011 World Series.

We’ll be back in a while with this afternoon’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy the overnight links below 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

Crawford diary: ‘Sorry for the year I’ve had’ [Carl Crawford – ESPN Boston]

Cutdown day: Sox’ wild-card lead now just 2 [Boston Globe]

Weiland helps fill a twinbill [Boston Globe]

Sitting him vs. Price costly? [Boston Globe]

Hard to keep faith [Boston Herald]

Crawford plays left out for finale [Boston Herald]

No getting a handle on Wake’s stuff [Boston Herald]

Tossin’ down the drain [Boston Herald]

Sox WC lead cut to two after loss [CSN New England]

MVP candidates leave Sox wanting more [CSN New England]

Pedroia insists: ‘We’re happy as expletive’ [CSN New England]

Notes: Red Sox plan to throw Bedard Tuesday [CSN New England]

Rapid Reaction: Rays 8, Sox 5 [ESPN Boston]

Struggling Boston Red Sox try to leave Tampa Bay Rays behind [ESPN Boston]

Closing time: Red Sox miscues lead to Rays win in series finale [Full Count]

Red Sox trying to put struggles behind them [Full Count]

Video: Terry Francona Admits Red Sox Have Played Inconsistent Baseball, But Thinks Recent Struggles Could Make Team Stronger [NESN.com]

Video: Tim Wakefield Calls Red Sox’ Recent Skid ‘Frustrating,’ Says Team Just Needs to ‘Play Better Baseball’ [NESN.com]

It’s a comedy of errors and passed balls [Providence Journal]

Confident Rays look like the superior team [Providence Journal]

Red Sox journal: Saltalamacchia can’t catch a break [Providence Journal]

Despite rough month, Red Sox stay confident [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the to St. Petersburg Times and Tampa Tribune websites.

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

Photo credits: Getty Images

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 9/19

Paw Prints The Daily Roundup

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 some of the other sports. 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 Power Rankings [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Remaining schools with wandering eyes? [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

It’s All About Football [David Borges – New Haven Register]

Report Card: Iowa State [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

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

Missed opportunities plague Huskies in loss [The Daily Campus]

Loyola’s Jordan Floyd talks UConn commitment [Baltimore Sun]

Other UConn related links

Next step is pivotal for UConn [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Is BIG EAST on life support on the day Dave Gavitt passes away? [John Nash – The Hour]

With Syracuse And Pitt Gone, What Lies Ahead For UConn? [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Source: UConn eyes ACC move [ESPN.com]

W. Soccer. Huskies Drop Overtime Battle To St. John’s, 1-0 [UConnHuskies.com]

Field Hockey. Silverman Scores But No. 4 Huskies Fall, 3-1, to No. 8 Boston College [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Tennis. Huskies Compete at Quinnipiac Invitational [UConnHuskies.com]

At major crossroads, UConn needs to push hard for spot in ACC [CT Post]

Syracuse and Pitt bolt Big East; What’s next for UConn? [CT Post]

Big East Departures Leave UConn In Shifting Landscape [Hartford Courant]

Syracuse, Pitt leave for ACC; UConn could follow [New Haven Register]

UConn official: Iowa State move to Big East would be no surprise [Des Moines Register]

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

2011 Primetime Emmy Award Winners

The 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards were held on Sunday night  from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles that saw Modern Family pick up three wins including Best Comedy Series.

Emmy AwardIt was nice to see Kyle Chandler get the Best Actor in Drama series for his portrayal of Coach Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights.

Mildred Pierce picked up two wins while Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. And it should come as no surprise to anyone that Mad Men won the Best Drama Series.

A full look at the winners in the major categories can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the homepage.

DRAMA SERIES:

  • Boardwalk Empire, HBO
  • The Good Wife, CBS
  • Mad Men, AMC
  • Friday Night Lights, DirecTV
  • Dexter, Showtime
  • Game of Thrones, HBO

COMEDY SERIES:

  • Glee, FOX
  • Parks and Recreation, NBC
  • The Office, NBC
  • Modern Family, ABC
  • 30 Rock, NBC
  • The Big Bang Theory, CBS

MINISERIES or MOVIE:

  • Mildred Pierce, HBO
  • Downton Abbey (Masterpiece), PBS
  • The Kennedys, ReelzChannel
  • Cinema Verite, HBO
  • Too Big To Fail, HBO
  • The Pillars of the Earth, Starz

ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:

  • Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire, HBO
  • Michael C. Hall, Dexter, Showtime
  • Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights, DirecTV
  • Jon Hamm, Mad Men, AMC
  • Hugh Laurie, House, FOX
  • Timothy Olyphant, Justified, FX Networks

ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES:

  • Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men, AMC
  • Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights, DirecTV
  • Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU, NBC
  • Mireille Enos, The Killing, AMC
  • Julianna Marguilies, The Good Wife, CBS
  • Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law, NBC

SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES:

  • John Slattery, Mad Men, AMC
  • Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age, TNT
  • Wolton Goggins, Justified, FX Networks
  • Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones, HBO
  • Josh Charles, The Good Wife, CBS
  • Alan Cumming, The Good Wife, HBO

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES:

  • Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire, HBO
  • Christina Hendricks, Mad Men, AMC
  • Michelle Forbes, The Killing, AMC
  • Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife, CBS
  • Margo Martindale, Justified, FX Networks
  • Christine Barnaski, The Good Wife, CBS

ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES:

  • Matt LeBlanc, Episodes, Showtime
  • Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory, CBS
  • Steve Carell, The Office, NBC
  • Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory, CBS
  • Louis C.K., Louie, FX Networks
  • Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock, NBC

ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES:

  • Laura Linney, The Big C, Showtime
  • Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie, Showtime
  • Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation, NBC
  • Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly, CBS
  • Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope, FOX
  • Tina Fey, 30 Rock, NBC

SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY SERIES:

  • Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men, CBS
  • Chris Colfer, Glee, FOX
  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family, ABC
  • Ed O’Neill, Modern Family, ABC
  • Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family, ABC
  • Ty Burrell, Modern Family, ABC

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY SERIES:

  • Jane Lynch, Glee, FOX
  • Betty White, Hot in Cleveland, TVLand
  • Julie Bowen, Modern Family, ABC
  • Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live, NBC
  • Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock, NBC
  • Sofia Vergara, Modern Family, ABC

ACTOR, MINISERIES OR MOVIE:

  • Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys, ReelzChannel
  • Barry Pepper, The Kennedys, ReelzChannel
  • Edgar Ramirez, Carlos, Sundance Channel
  • William Hurt, Too Big To Fail, HBO
  • Idris Elba, Luther, BBC America
  • Laurence Fishbourne, Thurgood, HBO

ACTRESS, MINISERIES OR MOVIE:

  • Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce, HBO
  • Elizabeth McGovern, Downton Abbey (Masterpiece), PBS
  • Diane Lane, Cinema Verite, HBO
  • Taraji P. Henson, Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story, Lifetime
  • Jean Marsh, Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece), PBS

SUPPORTING ACTOR, MINISERIES OR MOVIE:

  • Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce, HBO
  • Brian F. O’Byrne, Mildred Pierce, HBO
  • Tom Wilkinson, The Kennedys, ReelzChannel
  • Paul Giamatti, Too Big To Fail, HBO
  • James Woods, Too Big To Fail, HBO

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, MINISERIES OR MOVIE:

  • Evan Rachel Wood, Mildred Pierce, HBO
  • Melissa Leo, Mildred Pierce, HBO
  • Mare Winningham, Mildred Pierce, HBO
  • Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey (Masterpiece), PBS
  • Eileen Atkins, Upstairs Downstairs (Masterpiece), PBS

REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM:

  • So You Think You Can Dance, FOX
  • The Amazing Race, CBS
  • Project Runway, Lifetime
  • American Idol, FOX
  • Dancing With the Stars, ABC
  • Top Chef, Bravo

OUTSTANDING VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SERIES:

  • The Colbert Report, Comedy Central
  • Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, NBC
  • Saturday Night Live, NBC
  • Conan, TBS
  • Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO
  • The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Comedy Central

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES:

  • Idris Elba as Lenny, The Big C, Showtime
  • Zach Galifiankis as host, Saturday Night Live, NBC
  • Matt Damon as Carol, 30 Rock, NBC
  • Will Arnett as Devin Banks, 30 Rock, NBC
  • Nathan Lane as Pepper Saltzman, Modern Family, ABC
  • Justin Timberlake as host, Saturday Night Live, NBC

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES:

  • Kristen Chenoweth as April Rhoades, Glee, FOX
  • Dot-Marie Jones as Coach Beiste, Glee, FOX
  • Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday, Glee, FOX
  • Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw, Raising Hope, FOX
  • Elizabeth Banks as Avery, 30 Rock, NBC
  • Tina Fey as Host, Saturday Night Live, NBC

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES:

  • Robert Morse as Bertram Cooper, Mad Men, AMC
  • Bruce Dern as Frank Harlow, Big Love, HBO
  • Jeremy Davies as Dickey Bennett, Justified, FX Networks
  • Beau Bridges as Nick Brody, Brothers & Sisters, ABC
  • Paul McCrane as Josh Peyton, Harry’s Law, NBC
  • Michael J. Fox as Louis Canning, The Good Wife, CBS

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES:

  • Alfre Woodward as Ruby Jean Reynolds, True Blood, HBO
  • Randee Heller as Miss Blankenship, Mad Men, AMC
  • Cara Buono as Faye Miller, Mad Men, AMC
  • Joan Cusack as Sheila Jackson, Shamless, Showtime
  • Julia Stiles as Lumen Pierce, Dexter, Showtime
  • Mary McDonnell as Capt. Sharon Raydor, The Closer, TNT
  • Loretta Devine as Adele Webber, Greys Anatomy, ABC

To see the full list of winners, head over to http://emmys.com.