The Boston Red Sox enjoyed a day off on Thursday after spending the last six days on the road after the All-Star break. And with the Seattle Mariners coming to town, the Red Sox will finally see someone else that doesn’t play in the AL East after 13 straight games in the division (Toronto Blue Jays (3 games), Baltimore Orioles (7 games), Tampa Bay Rays (3 games)).

During that 13 game run, the Red Sox went 10-3 and now have a two-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. The Tampa Bay Rays are 7.5 games behind in third place. They are also 5.5 games behind the Yankees for the AL Wild Card along with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Seattle comes to town as losers of 12 straight games while the Red Sox are 13-3 in the month of July. Something will have to give in this series especially with the Mariners throwing out two of their best pitchers in Felix Hernandez (tonight) and Michael Pineda (Sunday). Of course the Red Sox will have their best pitcher this season going in Josh Beckett on Saturday night (pitching matchups for series).

The next nine days we will be hearing rumors galore with the trade deadline coming up. People will throw out the names of Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Ubaldo Jimenez with possibilities of coming to Beantown. Honestly folks those are pipe dreams.

The Mets have said Reyes isn’t going anywhere and Theo Epstein isn’t going to mortgage the farm for him. The same goes for Beltran.

If Josh Reddick can continue at the pace he’s been hitting all season long, there’s no need for the Red Sox to get Beltran. Reddick’s already basically unseated J.D. Drew in right field. The need for the Red Sox is a right-handed hitting outfielder. So I’d expect to hear the Red Sox involved with names like Josh Willingham and Ryan Ludwick.

The big concern right now is the pitching staff but we should know more about that today. With Clay Buchholz throwing off the mound for the first time this afternoon, we may actually get a timetable as to when he could return. If he’s able to return in the next two weeks, there’s probably no need to go out and get a fourth or fifth starter.

Of course that lies in the fact that the Red Sox would be comfortable with either Andrew Miller or Tim Wakefield. Obviously something will change if/when Buchholz returns.

I honestly don’t expect the Red Sox to be major players in any of the big names that come up. The reason why is the cost of these players. And by cost, I don’t mean the financial aspect. I mean the cost of the prospects to give up.

We’ll be back later with this evening’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day. But for now, enjoy 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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Counting the chips: How the industry views Sox prospects for trades [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Things to keep in mind [Boston Globe]

Bard is setting standard [Boston Globe]

No snags for catcher so far [Boston Globe]

Epstein looks to future [Boston Globe]

Daniel Bard earns accolades [Boston Herald]

Ryan Lavarnway swings big bat [Boston Herald]

Red Sox won’t trade team for world [Boston Herald]

Let’s make a deal [Boston Herald]

Clay Buchholz hoping to be Red Sox’ best acquisition [Clubhouse Insider]

Nation STATion: You can quote me on that [CSNNE.com]

Ellsbury becoming a leader in his comeback year [CSNNE.com]

Epstein: We tried to sign Ellsbury long-term [CSNNE.com]

PawSox’ Lavarnway tearing up Triple-A [CSNNE.com]

Theo: Sox have trade chips for right deal [ESPN Boston]

Epstein wants Ellsbury to stick around [ESPN Boston]

Bowden: Ideal, most likely moves for Sox [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox hitting consultant Tommy Harper says David Ortiz is on the right track this season. [ESPN Boston]

Off-day news: Fenway fans choose favorite new sandwich [Extra Bases]

List: Ranking Theo Epstein’s trade deadline moves [Full Count]

Theo Epstein on D&C: No trade option can take the place of Clay Buchholz [Full Count]

Peter Gammons on M&M: Sox ‘might get right-handed hitting outfielder’ at trade deadline [Full Count]

Red Sox Prospect Ryan Lavarnway Robbed of Game-Tying Home Run in Ninth Inning by Brandon Moss [NESN.com]

The big Friday Nuggetpalooza! [Nuggetpalooza]

A best-case scenario for Ryan Lavarnway [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox one of five teams without a walk-off homer in 2011 [Projo Sox Blog]

Iglesias back, ready to resume progress [Projo Sox Blog]

Gonzalez helps teammates take game to next level [Providence Journal]

Red Sox’s road to October begins in July [RedSox.com]

As John Henry reminds us, Red Sox are in pretty good shape [Rob Bradford – 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.

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 player rankings: Quarterbacks [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

A Preseason Consensus: UConn Fifth In League; Rutgers Lower [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Football Alumni Golf Tournament To Take Place On Sept. 16 [UConnHuskies.com]

Summer Kickoff Preview No. 4: Rising Stars [BigEast.org]

UConn Football Coach In The Spotlight: Darrell Perkins [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Boost Mobile Elite 24 Roster Revealed [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Do You Think Renee Montgomery Sounds Excited? [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

It Will Be Easy To See More Of Maya This Weekend [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Stewart Has Double-Double As U.S. Opens With Win At U-19s [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Postgame Comments From Rizzotti, Dolson, Hartley and Stewart [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

NCAA considers new start date for tournament [AP via New Haven Register]

UConn champs hold Alamo City dear [San Antonio Express]

Maya Moore on WNBA All-Star Weekend, Hazing [ESPN.com]

Other UConn related links

BIG EAST Baseball Championship to Return To Clearwater, Fla., for 2012 and 2013 [BigEast.org]

Baseball. Brien McMahon infielder Daniello commits to UConn baseball team [The Hour]

M. Soccer. Ray Reid Named To NCAA Men’s Soccer Committee [UConnHuskies.com]

“Sunday MLB on TBS” continues on July 24 when Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners travel to historic Fenway Park to take on David Ortiz and the American League East-leading Boston Red Sox at 1:30 p.m. (ET).  Michael Pineda (8-6) is scheduled to start for the Mariners against the Red Sox probable starter Tim Wakefield (5-3).  Play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson will call the game alongside analysts Ron Darling and David Wells in the broadcast booth.

“Sunday MLB on TBS” includes match-ups on TBS every Sunday afternoon throughout the regular season.  Beginning in October TBS will once again provide exclusive coverage of the four Division Series and the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

TBS has served as the exclusive home of Major League Baseball’s Division Series (DS) and one League Championship Series (LCS) since 2007, has broadcasted MLB games for more than 30 years and was home of the Atlanta Braves from 1977-2007.

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS SCHEDULE:

SUNDAY MLB ON TBS UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

When Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox signed Andrew Miller in the offseason, they knew exactly what they were getting. A pitcher with all the talent in the world but some of the worst mechanics due to being rushed by his former teams in Detroit and Florida.

It seemed he had worked out his mechanical issues that led to poor control and command in Pawtucket that led to his callup with the Red Sox. And while he hasn’t been lights out, he’s done okay. But in his past few starts, those poor mechanics have crept back into play.

After being roughed in his last start against the Rays, Miller was facing the Orioles for the second time this season. Unlike the Rays start, this Miller was able to escape the now returned wildness that has plagued him throughout his career.

Miller worked himself out of a bases loaded jam in the 2nd, a jam created by him walking three straight batters. He was able to work out of the jam by inducing a double play ball off the bat of Craig Tatum to escape any damage. Of course Tatum may have helped him out by swinging at a few balls that were out of the strike zone.

He settled down after that because of adjustments made by himself, Jason Varitek and pitching coach Curt Young. He wouldn’t allow his first hit of the game until the 5th when the aformentioned Tatum connected for a single. He would give up a two-out single in the 6th to Derrek Lee followed up by a walk to Mark Reynolds and that ended his afternoon.

Matt Albers continued to show his former team how good he could be by striking out two over 1.1 innings including ending the 6th inning with Miller in trouble. Daniel Bard needed just nine pitches to get through the 8th and Jonathan Papelbon kept the 9th drama free by striking out one in a perfect inning of relief in a non-save situation.

Of course the offense made Miller’s job a little easier with 12 hits on the afternoon.

While Adrian Gonzalez broke out of his 2-for-24 post All-Star break slump with four hits on the afternoon, it was the new found power of Jacoby Ellsbury that was the big difference. Ellsbury got the Red Sox on the board in the 3rd with the first of two solo home runs. He added another in the 7th that pushed the lead to 3-0.

Josh Reddick continued to his push to make J.D. Drew expendable with another two hits. Carl Crawford continues to shine since returning from his hamstring injury with another two hits, a stolen base and a RBI on a bases loaded walk.

When you think back about the offseason and the signings in the bullpen, your first thoughts were that Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks would be the bridge to Papelbon along with Bard. Instead with Wheeler struggling early on and Jenks battling back injuries all season long, Albers has stepped up and done a brilliant job.

This is the same Albers who was 11-12 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.529 WHIP for the Orioles over three seasons. That’s a far cry from the 3-3 with a 2.29 ERA and a 1.195 WHIP for the Red Sox this season. Like Alfredo Aceves, Albers has had a bump in the road or two. But for the most part, those two pitchers seem to be the best offseason signings for the Red Sox pitching staff.

With the Red Sox being off today, we’ll be back in a short while with the pitching matchups for the upcoming series with the Seattle Mariners. But for now, enjoy 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

Andrew Miller walks the unusual line [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Power lifting [Boston Globe]

Gonzalez hits his stride [Boston Globe]

Far from a control freak [Boston Globe]

That’s a wrap: Reddick, Crawford contribute to Sox’ 4-0 win over O’s [Boston Herald]

Not so fast on Carlos Beltran [Boston Herald]

Southie pitching all in for Tim Burke [Boston Herald]

Empowered Jacoby Ellsbury teeing off [Boston Herald]

Changeup from Andrew Miller [Boston Herald]

Sox reliever Dan Wheeler recalls last time Carlos Beltran got traded [Clubhouse Insider]

Sox finish trip with 4-0 win over O’s [CSNNE.com]

Hottovy clears waivers; outrighted to Pawtucket [CSNNE.com]

Pumping up and winding down with the Sox [CSNNE.com]

Jones ‘sick and tired’ of losing to Red Sox [CSNNE.com]

Tension remains high between umpires, teams [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Miller, Ellsbury carry Sox to victory [CSNNE.com]

Reddick earning his keep in right field [CSNNE.com]

Draft of 2012 Red Sox schedule [ESPN Boston]

Good time had by all in Baltimore [ESPN Boston]

Theo: Best Sox acquisition a healthy Buchholz [ESPN Boston]

Boston Red Sox like Carlos Beltran, but price too high, source says [ESPN Boston]

Theo: Sox have depth to make deal [ESPN Boston]

Theo: Best acquisition a healthy Buchholz [ESPN Boston]

Epstein: The ‘light’s gone on’ for Reddick [ESPN Boston]

Why the Sox aren’t yet considering a call-up for Ryan Lavarnway [Full Count]

Closing Time: Red Sox 4, Orioles 0 [Full Count]

Red Sox Ticket Price Increase on Secondary Market Greater Than Average Cost of Dodgers Ticket [NESN.com]

Injuries to Red Sox Rotation Make Pitching A Higher Trade Deadline Priority Than Right Field Help [NESN.com]

Jacoby Ellsbury Joining Superstar Teammates in Game’s Upper Echelon [NESN.com]

Video: Andrew Miller Picks Up Another Win, Despite Battling More Control Issues [NESN.com]

Video: Jacoby Ellsbury Credits Aggressiveness in Strike Zone for Jump in Power This Season [NESN.com]

Red Sox’ Deep Lineup, Solid Starting Pitching Means Team Doesn’t Need to Make Big Trade at Deadline [NESN.com]

Josh Reddick Proving His Worth As Everyday Right-Fielder With Trade Deadline Approaching [NESN.com]

Ellsbury’s power display all Sox needed [Providence Journal]

Reddick thrilled to be part of master plan [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Quick fix helps Gonzalez bust out [Providence Journal]

Impressive discipline and eye-popping results have put Ryan Lavarnway on big-league track [Providence Journal]

Francona: ASG activities might be a bit much [RedSox.com]

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

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

Photo credit: AP Photo

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as 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 player rankings: Tight ends [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Big East mailblog [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Summer Kickoff Preview No. 3: TV Guide [BigEast.org]

UConn Football Player In The Spotlight: Adam Masters [Hartford Courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Kemba Walker Talks Lockout and Bobcats [UConn Huskies Basketball]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Busy weekend in San Antonio [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Information On Services For RuthAnn Lobo [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Huskies take lead roles [Journal Inquirer]