After blowout wins for each team in the first two games, the Boston Red Sox will host the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game set and a seven-game homestand tonight at Fenway Park.

Tonight’s game is scheduled to begin at 8:05 p.m. and will be televised nationally on ESPN. You can also catch the game online at ESPN3.com where available.  And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Tim Wakefield steps on the slab for the first time since May 11th in his third start of 2011. He’s made 11 appearances (two starts) and is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. He’s made six appearances (five starts) against the Cubs in his career with only one of them coming as a member of the Red Sox. In those six appearances (five starts), Wake is 3-1 with a 3.68 ERA.

James Russell steps in for former Red Sox killer Matt Garza who was scratched yesterday with tightness in his pitching arm. He’s made 13 appearances (four starts) this season and is 1-4 with a 6.26 ERA. His only career appearance against the Red Sox on Friday night when he allowed two hits over three 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 tonight’s lineups:

20-24		24-21
1. Kosuke Fukudome	RF	1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF
2. Darwin Barney	2B	2. Dustin Pedroia	2B
3. Starlin Castro	SS	3. Adrian Gonzalez	1B
4. Aramis Ramirez	3B	4. Kevin Youkilis	3B
5. Carlos Pena	1B	5. David Ortiz	DH
6. Jeff Baker	LF	6. Jed Lowrie	SS
7. Alfonso Soriano	DH	7. Mike Cameron	RF
8. Welington Castillo	C	8. Carl Crawford	LF
9. Reed Johnson	CF	9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C
James Russell	SP	Tim Wakefield	SP

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

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

Aceves relieves one issue [Boston Globe]

Why this is a big start for Wakefield [Clubhouse Insider]

Notes: Lackey and Jenks make progress [CSNNE.com]

Ageless Wakefield gets another turn [ESPN Boston]

Video: Crawford on Boston fans [ESPN Boston]

Sox, Cubs close series at Fenway [ESPN Boston]

Lackey, Jenks continue to make progress [ESPN Boston]

Cubs place Byrd on DL after beaning by Aceves [ESPN Chicago]

Run To Home Base a success [Extra Bases]

Report: Byrd to go on DL [Extra Bases]

Red Sox still can’t complete turnaround [FOXSports.com]

Carlos Pena was ‘fearful’ for Marlon Byrd before hospital visit [Full Count]

Cubs’ Outfielder Marlon Byrd Placed on 15-Day Disabled List After Being Hit in Face by Pitch on Saturday [NESN.com]

Cubs’ Marlon Byrd on DL with facial fractures [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis sets HBP record, fails to get souvenir ball [Projo Sox Blog]

Lackey progressing [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis rebounding nicely from rough April, but still has room for improvement [Providence Journal]

‘Balanced’ Gonzalez belongs in Boston [RedSox.com]

Knuckle up: Wake gets spot-start in rubber game [RedSox.com]

For Hill, facing former team not weird [RedSox.com]

Photo credits: Getty Images, AP Photo

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

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

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

UConn Women’s Basketball links

U-19 training camp starts tomorrow [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Moore heightens goals [CT Post]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Huskies Finish Regular Season With 7-4 Loss at Cincinnati [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. UConn Earns Top Seed for 2011 BIG EAST Championship [UConnHuskies.com]

Besides the ugly throwback uniforms, things were looking pretty good early on for the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night.

They were enjoying a seven-game winning entering the night and with the Tampa Bay Rays losing, they had a chance to move into first place in the AL East for the first time all season long. And things were going their way.

They got a strong start from Alfredo Aceves who left with a chance to win the game thanks to a two-run opposite field home run by David Ortiz. But then the eighth inning came along and any hopes of first place were blown out of the park by wind and mist that engulfed Fenway all night long.

The eighth inning is usually Daniel Bard‘s inning to pitch. Then depending on whether he struggles or not, manager Terry Francona will hand the ball over to Jonathan Papelbon to finish off the game. But Francona had other ideas and obviously we know it didn’t work.

He decided to go with Matt Albers instead of Bard. He did have his reasons as to why Bard wasn’t in the game. During the game, I saw Bard head towards the dugout from the bullpen leading myself and others around me that maybe something was wrong with Bard. That wasn’t the case though.

Although he hadn’t pitched in two days, Bard is on pace for a ton of innings and appearances this year. So Francona went with Albers, who let’s face it, has been the rock of the bullpen all season long. But Albers struggled mightily as he didn’t record an out. He allowed six runs (five earned) on three hits, two walks and Jed Lowrie error.

Before Aceves even took the mound, we knew this one was going to be the bullpen’s game. When Aceves was done, Dan Wheeler and Rich Hill did their jobs and gave the Red Sox a chance to win. So with Albers struggles, the only other option was Franklin Morales, who had just come over in a trade from the Colorado Rockies.

Morales didn’t fare much better but he was also a victim of the circus that suddenly appeared in the 8th inning on a botched rundown.

So when all was said and done, the Red Sox found themselves on the losing end of a 9-3 ballgame to the Chicago Cubs. And instead of being in first place, they find themselves in second place just a 1/2 game behind the Yankees and Rays for first place.

All we can do now is forget last night’s game and hope the Red Sox can start up a new winning streak in the finale with the Cubs. And it will be the bullpen’s game again as Tim Wakefield is on the hill. Hopefully things will turn out a little better than they did last night.

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

The fine line: With long-term in mind, Sox suffer hard loss [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

The making of Big Papi: Remembering Ortiz’ power-hitting origins [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Thrown for a loss [Boston Globe]

Does game time really have to be show time? [Boston Globe]

Saltalamacchia in line [Boston Globe]

Matt Albers winds up in need of relief [Boston Herald]

It all adds up for charity [Boston Herald]

Alfredo Aceves simply a winner [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz joins exclusive club [Boston Herald]

Carlos Pena believes in Carl Crawford [Boston Herald]

David Ortiz’ connection to Adrian Gonzalez runs deep [Boston Herald]

Red Sox’ moment of rapture [Boston Herald]

Red Sox’ 300-home run club [Boston Herald]

Bard given needed rest [Boston Herald]

Pena reunites with friend Crawford [CSNNE.com]

I think we’ve seen the last of Dice-K [CSNNE.com]

Red Sox notes: Albers bites bullet without Bard [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Cubs 9, Sox 3 [ESPN Boston]

Injured starter Lackey throws, makes progress [ESPN Boston]

Why Daniel Bard was not in the game [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Matt Albers blows up, Red Sox lose 9-3 [Full Count]

Matt Albers: ‘It’s definitely frustrating’ [Full Count]

Ortiz: ‘An honor’ to join Red Sox’ 300-homer club [Full Count]

Red Sox, Cubs Sport Throwback Uniforms to Commemorate 1918 World Series [NESN.com]

Fenway Park’s Combination of Classic Quirks, Modern Renovations Give It Edge Over Wrigley Field [NESN.com]

Wrigley Field’s Iconic Ivy, Neighborhood Atmosphere Give It Edge Over Fenway As Nation’s Best Classic Ballpark [NESN.com]

Who Is the Most Famous Cubs Fan? [NESN.com]

Cub’s General Manager Jim Hendry Says Terry Francona Was Favorite For Manager Job in 2003 [NESN.com]

Boston squanders chance to take over first place [Providence Journal]

Despite 8th-inning meltdown, Bard remained unavailable [Providence Journal]

Aging Yankees have to move fast to compete with Red Sox, Rays [Providence Journal]

Former teammate Carlos Pena was inspired by Carl Crawford’s work ethic [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Players have been weathering the harsh conditions [Providence Journal]

‘Balanced’ Gonzalez belongs in Boston [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown or ESPN Chicago websites.

Photo credit: Elsa – Getty Images

Jon Lester wasn’t at his best for the Boston Red Sox last night and each time the offense got him a lead, he’d allow the Chicago Cubs to get into the game. But the offense kept pounding out hit after hit, 19 in all, to help the Red Sox to a 15-5 win over the Cubs in the first game between the two teams at Fenway Park since the 1918 World Series.

The talk all week leading up to last night’s game was about the historical significance of the Cubs visit to the Fens but in the end it was just another game. And it was just another game that the Red Sox won which gives them seven straight wins. More importantly though, it pulled them into second place, a 1/2 game ahead of the third place New York Yankees and a 1/2 behind the first place Tampa Bay Rays.

Since starting the season at 2-10, the Red Sox are 22-10 and making noise across baseball. More importantly, despite the bad outing by Lester, are playing baseball like they were expected to.

Lester allowed a career-high 12 hits in six innings of work last night as he left a lot of pitches out in the zone. His fastball had good velocity but he lacked command on all of his pitches. There was some speculation during the game that he may be injured but that’s simply not the case. Lester said after the game that he was simply not “executing” the pitches he needed to make at the time.

But what makes baseball a great game is the fact you can put that bad outing in the past, work on the mistakes and then get back out there in five days and try to be better than you were the last time you toed the rubber.

The only player on the offensive side of things in the starting lineup to not have a hit was Mike Cameron. Ironically enough, Cameron had good numbers against Cubs starter Doug Davis.

After struggling in the series versus the Detroit Tigers, Adrian Gonzalez went back to raking. You could say it was familiarity with the Cubs being a NL team but we know that he’s been doing this all season long. He led the way with four hits (all singles) and four RBIs.

Kevin Youkilis got into the act as well with three hits, including a two-run homer which may still be in orbit as I write and you read this. He also knocked in three runs, the other one coming on a sacrifice fly on some great baserunning by Dustin Pedroia, who scored three runs on the night.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia is also heating up at the plate as he had two hits including a solo home run. Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits and two RBIs while David Ortiz, Pedroia and Jed Lowrie each added two hits to the cause.

It’s definitely fun watching the Red Sox as of late, a far cry from earlier in the season. As long as the Red Sox can stay healthy going forward, this could turn out to be a very special season for the local nine.

I just hope they saved some hits and runs for tonight since I’ll be at the game. This means we’ll have a modified afternoon post up on the site.

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

For a Third Time, MLB on FOX Screws Red Sox Fans in Connecticut [SOX & Dawgs]

Red Sox, Cubs To Wear 1918 Uniforms on Saturday Night [SOX & Dawgs]

Video: Orsillo, Remy Talk Dyed Hair, Toupées [SOX & Dawgs]

Video: Orsillo Gets His Eck On [SOX & Dawgs]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Daily Southtown or ESPN Chicago websites.

Photo credit: Elsa-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 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.

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 Men’s Basketball links

Here’s Why UConn Loses Two Scholarships … [David Borges – New Haven Register]

APR Clarification [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn men docked 2 scholarships for academics [CT Post]

UConn Men’s Basketball To Lose Two Scholarships [Hartford Courant]

Huskies notified they will be docked two scholarships [New Haven Register]

Low APR costs UConn men two scholarships [The Day]

Of American heroes and supermen [Ottawa Citizen]

Calhoun ’55/45′ on returning to UConn sideline [CBSSports.com]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno recalls turning point in Tina Charles’ career [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

“Felt like we were right back at UConn” [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Auriemma Talks Maya Moore, Olympics And Future Of Big East [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Cleaning Up After The Chamber’s Breakfast [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Tina Charles Becomes Best By Seat Of Her Pants [Hartford Courant]

Tina Charles given role model award by Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce [New Haven Register]

UConn Football links

First Member Of 2012 Class: Don Bosco Prep OL Tyler Samra [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Other UConn related links

Baseball. Baseball Takes 9-5 Win at Cincinnati [UConnHuskies.com]

Baseball. Springer Named NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist [UConnHuskies.com]