Late Morning Red Sox Delight – 4/7

Jon Lester (L), Fausto Carmona (R)

The Boston Red Sox will try to salvage the finale of a three-game set and a six-game road trip this afternoon with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on STO. And if you don’t live in either market, you are in luck as the game will also be broadcast on the MLB Network. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Jon Lester looks to put his April woes behind him and get the Red Sox their first victory of the season before heading home to face the New York Yankees. In his first start of 2011, Lester took a no decision after allowing five runs in 5.1 innings. He made two starts against the Indians in 2010 and was 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA (8 ER/11IP). Overall in his career, Lester has made eight starts against the Indians and is 3-1 with a 4.53 ERA. In four career starts at Progressive Field, Lester is 1-0 with a 6.85 ERA.

Fausto Carmona looks to rebound from a disastrous first start and will try to send the Red Sox home at 0-6. In that first start, he allowed 10 runs in just three innings of work. He made two starts against the Red Sox in 2010 and was 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA. In seven career appearances (five starts) against the Red Sox, he is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA.

Click the read more button below for the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and pregame links and if you’re on the home page.

0-5		3-2
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Orlando Cabrera	2B
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Shin-Soo Choo	RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Carlos Santana	C
5. Kevin Youkilis	3B	5. Shelley Duncan	DH
6. David Ortiz	DH	6. Austin Kearns	LF
7. J.D. Drew	RF	7. Matt LaPorta	1B
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia	C	8. Travis Buck	CF
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9.Adam Everett	3B
Jon Lester	SP	Fausto Carmona	SP

Here’s how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:

Boston Red Sox vs Cleveland Indians batter/pitcher matchups

Refresh often or check back 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

Low five [Boston Globe]

Reyes wildly disappointing [Boston Globe]

Henry and Werner swing King-sized deal [Boston Globe]

Sox, city reach deal on Fenway liquor sales [Boston Globe]

Sorry 6th seals Red Sox’ 0-5 start [Boston Herald]

Red Sox pitcher Matsuzaka donates to kids, Japanese tsunami victims [Boston Herald]

Jason Varitek caught off-guard [Boston Herald]

Horror in full force [Boston Herald]

Take your talents elsewhere, LeBron [Boston Herald]

At the old ball game [Boston Herald]

Red Sox fall yet again to Tribe, 8-4 [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Reyes having control problems for Sox [CSNNE.com]

Sox go from bad to worse [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Indians 8, Red Sox 4 [ESPN Boston]

Francona: ‘We’ve got to find a way to win’ [ESPN Boston]

Things looking eerily like 1996 for Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

State of the Nation with Gordon Edes [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox banking on Lester [ESPN Boston]

Winless Boston Red Sox finding ugly ways to lose [ESPN Boston]

Lester tries to rescue Sox after 0-5 start [ESPN Boston]

Breakfast of champions? [Extra Bases]

Red Sox will welcome home cooking [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox lose again, making the wrong kind of history [Full Count]

Kevin Youkilis, Jason Varitek explain ‘weirdest play’ catcher has ever seen [Full Count]

MLB Power Rankings, 4/7: How far have the Red Sox fallen? [Full Count]

Terry Francona: ‘There’s Not a Lot to Be Pleased About’ [NESN.com]

Kevin Youkilis Says He’s One of Red Sox’ ‘Biggest Problems,’ Owes It to Fans to Play Better [NESN.com]

Red Sox Lose Fifth Straight As Failures, Frustration Continue to Pile Up [NESN.com]

Which No. 3 Hitter Gives Red Sox the Strongest Lineup? [NESN.com]

Top 10 Reasons to Believe Red Sox Can Still Win World Series This Season [NESN.com]

Opposing Pitchers Should Be Very Afraid to Face Adrian Gonzalez at Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Who’s the Leader of the Red Sox? [NESN.com]

Reverse-split righties trouble for Red Sox lefties [Projo Sox Blog]

Scuffling Youkilis trying to find timing at plate [Projo Sox Blog]

Breakfast of champions? [Projo Sox Blog]

Sloppy Boston now at 0-5 [Providence Journal]

Youkilis on botched play: ‘It might have caught ‘Tek off-guard’ [Providence Journal]

Losing streaks? Fred Lynn has been there, and he’s not worried [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Sox keeping an even keel [Providence Journal]

Lester, Red Sox looking to rebound vs. Tribe [RedSox.com]

Lack of key hits hands Red Sox fifth loss [RedSox.com]

Varitek takes blame on weird play [RedSox.com]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites.

Photo credits: AP Photo, AP Photo

Attention Red Sox Fans

Don't jump. I am only joking

It Sure Isn’t Pretty

Manager Terry Francona #47 of the Boston Red Sox watches the field be prepared prior to the game against the Cleveland Indians on April 6, 2011 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

Heading into Wednesday night’s game in Cleveland against the Indians, the Boston Red Sox are in a 0-4 hole to start the season. Is it time to panic? No. I’m not, Theo Epstein isn’t, neither is Terry Francona. I’m a little concerned, as I am sure they are to some extent but I am far from seeking out the nearest bridge or high rise.

But with the exception of Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, Matt Albers, Bobby Jenks, Dennys Reyes and Tim Wakefield the rest of the team hasn’t done a thing. Granted teams go through slumps and as I’ve seen from some Boston media if this was say, June or July and they lost 4 straight it would be less noticeable. But when you start the season that way you are looking at the potential for wide spread panic in the streets of Boston not seen since well Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS.

Looking at the hitting stats of the team two thirds of the starting lineup has failed to hit. Jacoby Ellsbury is hitting .188; Carl Crawford .133; Kevin Youkilis .182; J.D. Drew .167, Jarrod Saltalamacchia .091 and Marco Scutaro is hitless.

Then thrown in the four bench guys and there is one hit between Darnell McDonald, Mike Cameron, Jed Lowrie and Jason Varitek and that belongs to Lowrie. It also needs to be said that Tek has yet to get an AB this year but still.

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

You want to know what’s even uglier? How about hitting with runners in scoring position (RISP) and runners left on base (LOB). In the opening day loss to Texas they were 4 for 12 with RISP and had 5 LOB. The next night in the massacre they were 0 for 11 with RISP and had 8 LOB. In the Sunday finale they were 1 for 5 with RISP and had 6 LOB and then Tuesday night in Cleveland they were 1 for 2 with RISP and had 5 LOB. In four games that is 6 for 30 (.200) and 24 runners stranded. Folks, that’s the population of a small hamlet in Vermont.

Then there’s the pitching. Reyes (1.2 IP), Jenks and Albers (2 IP each) have been good all with ERA’s of 0.00. Wakefield has been admirable and has done with what he’s been given and has an ERA of 4.50 in 2 IP. After that, holy Hannah let’s look at the ERA’s. The starters Josh Beckett 5.40; Jon Lester 8.44; Clay Buchholz 5.68 and John Lackey a whopping 22.09. Who would have thought Daisuke Matsuzaka would be the teams stopper?

The bullpen has been just as bad. Dan Wheeler 13.50 in 1.1 IP; Jonathan Papelbon 9.00 in 1 IP and Daniel Bard actually lowered his ERA last night to 21.60.

This team is better than this, we all know that. Epstein and Francona and the staff know it too and no one is panicking yet. But it would be nice to see the bats come alive the last two games in Cleveland so they don’t limp into the home opener Friday afternoon against New York still winless. Then that has the potential to be ugly.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Afternoon Red Sox Delight – 4/6

Daisuke Matsuzaka (L), Mitch Talbot (R)

The Boston Red Sox look to end their four-game losing skid to start the 2011 in game two of a three-game set with the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Tonight’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on NESN Plus in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on STO. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.

Daisuke Matsuzaka looks to cut the line down at the Tobin Bridge as the Red Sox search for their first win in 2011. He made 25 starts in 2010 and was 9-6 with a 4.69 ERA. He made two starts against the Indians in 2010 and was 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA (1 ER/16 IP). Overall in his career, he’s made five starts against the Indians and is 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA. He’s made two career starts at Progressive Field and is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/16 IP).

Mitch Talbot will try to add more Red Sox fans to the line at the Tobin Bridge in his first start of 2011. In his rookie campaign during 2010, he made 28 starts and was 10-13 with a 4.41 ERA. He’s made two career appearances (one start) against the Red Sox in his career and is 0-0 with a 7.71 ERA (6 ER/7 IP).

Click the read more button below for the lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and pregame links and if you’re on the home page.

0-4		2-2
1. Jacoby Ellsbury	CF	1. Michael Brantley	CF
2. Carl Crawford	LF	2. Asdrubal Cabrera	SS
3. Dustin Pedroia	2B	3. Shin-Soo Choo	RF
4. Adrian Gonzalez	1B	4. Carlos Santana	C
5. Kevin Youkilis	3B	5. Travis Hafner	DH
6. David Ortiz	DH	6. Orlando Cabrera	2B
7. J.D. Drew	RF	7. Travis Buck	LF
8. Jason Varitek	C	8. Matt LaPorta	1B
9. Marco Scutaro	SS	9. Jack Hannahan	3B
Daisuke Matsuzaka	SP	Mitch Talbot	SP

Here’s how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Boston Red Sox vs Cleveland Indians batter/pitcher matchups

Refresh often or check back 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

College hockey, football at Fenway? [CSNNE.com]

Francona: Important to keep perspective [CSNNE.com]

April bummer nothing new — remember ’10? [ESPN Boston]

Some surprising numbers in the AL East [ESPN Boston]

Red Sox turn to Dice-K tonight to stop skid [ESPN Boston]

Terry Francona: No panic here [ESPN Boston]

Tito: ‘Don’t think we’re going to pack it in’ [ESPN Boston]

Fearless prediction: Sox win tonight [Extra Bases]

The annual Jimmy Fund Rally Against Cancer is this Friday [Extra Bases]

Mayor Menino checks out the latest improvements at Fenway Park [Extra Bases]

Wagner clears waivers [Extra Bases]

Pregame notes from Cleveland [Extra Bases]

Practicality, thy name is Terry Francona [Extra Bases]

Meet the man who was supposed to get Indians fans fired up last night [Full Count]

Jerry Remy on D&C: Carl Crawford will eventually settle into 3 spot [Full Count]

Nuggetpalooza: Beckett Analysis and More! [Full Count]

Peter Gammons on M&M: Some red flags with Yankees reliever Rafael Soriano [Full Count]

Terry Francona on Big Show: Red Sox should be concerned, not panicked [Full Count]

Red Sox’ 0-4 Start Discouraging, But Don’t Call Off Championship Parade Just Yet [NESN.com]

Reports: Mayor Thomas Menino Approves Sale of Liquor at Fenway Park [NESN.com]

Former Red Sox Top Pitching Prospect Craig Hansen Released by Pittsburgh Pirates [NESN.com]

Fenway Sports Group and LRMR Marketing & Branding Announce Strategic Business Partnership [NESN.com]

LeBron James Makes Smart Move Taking His Career to Next Level With Fenway Sports Group [NESN.com]

Fenway Park’s Latest Improvements Bring Modern Amenities to Boston’s Historic Landmark [NESN.com]

Dice-K is now the “stopper?” [Projo Sox Blog]

Matsuzaka extends “Strikeouts for Kids” initiative [Projo Sox Blog]

Terry Francona still seeking consistency [Projo Sox Blog]

Red Sox bullpen an early bright spot [Projo Sox Blog]

Jason Varitek gets first start of the season [Projo Sox Blog]

Struggling Red Sox turn to Dice-K to snap skid [RedSox.com]

Pedroia still the engine driving Red Sox [RedSox.com]

Fenway’s offseason improvements unveiled [RedSox.com]

Panic is a specialty in Red Sox Nation [RedSox.com]

Albers off to solid start with Red Sox [RedSox.com]

LeBron James in Deal With Fenway Sports [Wall Street Journal]

Photo credits: Reuters Pictures, AP Photo

Whale Sign Defenseman Dylan McIlrath to ATO

HARTFORD, April 6, 2011: Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the team has signed defenseman Dylan McIlrath to an Amateur Tryout (ATO) agreement.

CT Whale McIlrath, 18, was the parent New York Rangers’ first-round pick (10^th overall) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-5, 215-pound Winnipeg, Manitoba native has played the last three seasons in the Western Hockey League for the Moose Jaw Warriors. In 2010-11, McIlrath skated in 62 games for the Warriors, notching five goals and adding 18 assists for 23 points. Those numbers were good for third among Moose Jaw defensemen in points and goals, and McIlrath’s penalty minute total of 153 ranked second overall on the team. In six postseason games with the Warriors, he was scoreless with 15 PIM.

In 180 career WHL games with Moose Jaw, McIlrath has amassed totals of 13 goals and 38 assists for 51 points, along with 424 PIM. He agreed to terms on an NHL contract with the Rangers March 16.

DYLAN McILRATH’S AMATEUR RECORD

The Whale are next in action this Friday night, April 8 at Bridgeport, as they take on the Sound Tigers in a GEICO Connecticut Cup game (7:00 faceoff, www.ctwhale.com, www.wtic.com). That is the front half of a home-and-home set between the two Nutmeg-State rivals, who will face off at the XL Center on Saturday night in a 7:00 contest. Free Whale travel mugs will be given away to 3,000 fans that night, courtesy of CT DOT, and there will be a Connecticut Whale Auction and Sale, starting at 5:00 PM in the XL Center atrium. Harvest-Properties.com Whale Bowl game-used Whalers and Bruins jerseys, as well as Whale Bowl sticks, will be up for bid, and CT Whale used sticks and game equipment will be available for sale at great prices.

Tickets for all 2010-11 Whale home games are available now at the XL Center box office, through Ticketmaster Charge-by-Phone at 1-800-745-3000 and on-line at www.ctwhale.com. Tickets start at $7 each at the XL Center ticket office on game day.

For information on Whale ticket packages, group sales and VIP packages, call (860) 728-3366.

Ice Chips – 4/6

I’ve been remiss over the last couple of months in writing my Ice Chips columns. With the Connecticut Whale PR staff doing a wonderful job of covering the team on and off the ice I think it’s time we change Ice Chips basically to a look at the past history of our beloved Hartford/New England Whalers.

Head coach Dave Tippett of the Phoenix Coyotes watches from the bench during the NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Jobing.com Arena on March 24, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. In the past we closed the columns out with a look at a few former players who were on the team at some point in their career. In this column we’re going to take a look at not only some former Whalers players but current NHL coaches. In fact we are going to look at possibly the largest contingent of Hartford alumni known to man masquerading as the coaching staff for the Phoenix Coyotes.

The head coach in Phoenix is the one and only Dave Tippett. In addition he is joined on his staff by two other members of the SOX & Dawgs All-Whalers team in Ulf Samuelsson and Sean Burke as well as Doug Sulliman.

Tippett, a left wing played with the Whalers from 1983-84 to 1989-90 scoring 75 goals and 120 assists for 195 points in 483 games. Tippett, one of the most liked and respected players to ever wear the Whale tail, also played for Washington, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in addition to the Canadian Olympic team in 1984 and 1992.

After he finished playing he went on to coach the Dallas Stars for six seasons and shortly after being removed as head coach he was hired in Phoenix to succeed Wayne Gretzky behind the bench where he is now in his second year leading the Coyotes.

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

Burke was one of the best net minders in Whalers history. He played 256 games for the club after coming over in a trade from New Jersey with Eric Weinrich for Bobby Holik and a 1993 2^nd round draft pick on August 28, 1992. As a Whaler Burke registered 10 shutouts for the club and posed a 3.21 GAA while recording his 100^th Hartford win in the teams last game against Tampa Bay. Burke also played for Carolina, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Florida, Tampa Bay, Los Angeles and Phoenix as well as the Canadian Olympic and National teams prior to retiring. He is now the Coyotes goalie coach.

Samuelsson, a native of Sweden, was a Whalers 4^th round draft pick in 1982 and was with the team until the blockbuster trade that sent the defenseman and captain Ron Francis along with two Stanley Cup Championships to Pittsburgh in 1991. After playing in Sweden he made his Whalers debut in 1984-85 playing in 41 games. Overall he played in 441 games for Hartford scoring 31 goals and 144 assists for 175 total points. In addition to Pittsburgh and Hartford, Ulfie played for the New York Rangers, Philadelphia and Detroit before retiring. He is probably best known as the man who ruined Cam Neely’s career with what some thing was a premeditated vicious knee on knee hit.

Sulliman, probably the least known of the Coyote coaching quartet, was a first round (13^th overall) pick of the New York Rangers in 1979. Sulliman, a rightwing who never really caught on with New York came to Hartford for the 1981-82 season and played three seasons with the club. In 321 games he scored 57 goals and 72 assists for 129 points. Sulliman’s best NHL season came in his first year in Hartford when he notched 29 goals and 40 assists for 69 points in 77 games. After that his production dropped off and he was dealt in the summer of 1984 to New Jersey. He finished his career with Philadelphia in 1990.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Destination Red Sox Nation – 4/6

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

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

Red Sox minor league report: Prospects move up to new assignments, new challenges [Providence Journal]

2011 Draft Preview: College Bats [SoxProspects.com]

Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox will open up the 2011 season on April 7th at home against the Rochester Red Wings at 7:05 p.m.

Paw Sox Notes: Aceves gets Opening Night start [CSNNE.com]

Okajima will try to work his way back to Boston [ESPN Boston]

PawSox 2011 Home-Opener April 7 [OurSports Central]

Top prospect Iglesias discovering his comfort zone [Providence Journal]

Pawtucket 2011 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox stats

International League standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs:

The Sea Dogs will open up the 2011 season on April 7th at home against the Reading Phillies at 6:00 p.m.

Alex Wilson Announced Opening Day Starter [OurSports Central]

Inside look at Dogs’ starters [Portland Press Herald]

Portland 2011 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs stats

Eastern League Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

Salem Red Sox:

Salem will begin their 2011 season on April 7th at home against the Frederick Keys at 7:05 p.m.

Salem 2011 Roster

Salem Red Sox stats

Carolina League standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville Drive:

The Drive begin their 2011 season on April 7th at home against the Augusta Greenjackets at 7:05 p.m.

Drive full of prospects – Red Sox, that is [Greenville News]

Dream Street starts at Fluor Field for McMillon’s club [Greenville News]

Greenville 2011 Roster

Greenvillle Drive stats

South Atlantic League standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners:

The Lowell Spinners will begin their season on June 17th at home against the Connecticut Tigers.

Lowell Spinners 2010 Roster

Lowell Spinners stats

NY-Penn League Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Spinners website

gulf coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox will begin their season on June 20th on the road against the GCL Rays.

GCL Red Sox 2010 Roster

GCL Red Sox stats

Gulf Coast League Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Red Sox News & Notes – 4/6

Josh Beckett(notes) #19 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the fourth inning during the second inning of the game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on April 5, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio.

0-4? Seriously 0-4!!! This is definitely not the way any of us, including the Boston Red Sox themselves, figured they would start the season.

If history dictates anything, the Red Sox will be watching the postseason from their offseason homes, the golf course or even their vacations. But as we know with the Red Sox, the previous history means absolutely nothing to them.

Remember back to 2004 when you thought you’ll probably never see the Red Sox win a World Series in your lifetime., They went out broke an 86-year old “curse” that year. And just maybe when you thought you might never see it happen again, three years later the Red Sox were on top of the world with their second World Series title of the decade.

And doesn’t 04+07=11?

Terry Francona needs to something to light a collective fire under all of their asses. They faced Cleveland’s fourth starter in Josh Tomlin last night and managed just four hits against the Indians pitching staff. Four hits!!!! With this lineup, four hits should come in an inning not over an entire game.

I honestly didn’t think Josh Beckett pitched all that badly. He wasn’t great but he certainly didn’t suck it up. At least he didn’t join his other fellow starters in giving up a chicks dig the long ball. Beckett’s changeup was butt nasty last night but his fastball velocity wasn’t what we’re used to. But still there was enough difference in MPH in his changeup to make it almost impossible to get some wood on.

Beckett’s problem last night was his pitch count. He threw 106 pitches in only five innings of work. That’s definitely not efficiency at its finest. He allowed all three runs on five hits and four walks but did record four strikeouts, mostly on his changeup.

If you want a positive from the game, it was the bullpen.

Matt Albers, Bobby Jenks and Daniel Bard combined to pitch three hitless and scoreless innings. Albers and Jenks each walked one batter and struck out three. Bard didn’t walk anyone and had four strikeouts.

We’ll be back later with the 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

Beckett fails to halt skid [Boston Globe]

Optimism abounds [Boston Globe]

Sox take another hit [Boston Globe]

Wakefield never knuckled under [Boston Globe]

Red Sox still stuck in slump [Boston Herald]

Carl Crawford out of order [Boston Herald]

Terry Francona to spring Daisuke Matsuzaka on Cleveland [Boston Herald]

Josh Beckett fails to come through [Boston Herald]

Sunny Sox days ahead [Boston Herald]

Red Sox lose again to Indians, 3-1 [CSNNE.com]

As players press, offense stalls [CSNNE.com]

Notes: Beckett overworked by Indians [CSNNE.com]

Rapid reaction: Indians 3, Red Sox 1 [ESPN Boston]

Sox: Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us [ESPN Boston]

Say cheese! Stats snapshot of the 0-4 Sox [ESPN Boston]

Video: BBTN discusses Boston’s stumble [ESPN Boston]

Pressure to get first win mounting on Boston Red Sox [ESPN Boston]

History now against the Red Sox [Extra Bases]

Q&A with Pete Abraham [Extra Bases]

Closing Time: Red Sox still winless after loss to Indians [Full Count]

J.D. Drew explains the play at the plate in the second inning [Full Count]

Adrian Gonzalez to opposing managers: Don’t bother with the shift [Full Count]

A closer look at Josh Beckett’s first start of the season [Full Count]

Red Sox Remain Winless As Indians Grind Out At-Bats on Way to Win in Frigid Cleveland [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett Blames Inability to Get Ahead in Counts for Shaky Start Against Indians [NESN.com]

Red Sox Offense Has Yet to Hit Its Stride Amid 0-4 Start [NESN.com]

Which Red Sox Starting Pitcher Will Have the Biggest Bounceback Season? [NESN.com]

Beckett can’t stop slide [Providence Journal]

Bunting just not a part of the Red Sox’ plans [Providence Journal]

Red Sox Journal: Seems all is finally right with Dice-K [Providence Journal]

Red Sox in search of their swagger (and a win) [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

For Red Sox, four losses only reinforce five concerns [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]

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

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Akron Beacon Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer websites.

Photo credit: Getty Images

2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Rankings – Postseason (Apr. 5)

USA Today Coaches Poll

When the final men’s college basketball rankings came out yesterday, I was shocked to see the UConn Huskies weren’t picked as the unanimous No. 1 team in the land in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. I even took to Twitter to say that some asinine coach decided not to vote for the Huskies.

And now courtesy of the Hartford Courant, we know that coach’s name. It’s Mike Adras of Northern Arizona, who actually voted Ohio State No. 1, Kansas No. 2 and UConn No. 3 based on the entire season. Honestly, whatever floats his bubble.

All that matters to me is the fact that the 2011 National Championship trophy is sitting in a display case at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, CT.

Joining the Huskies in the top 25 from the Big East are the No. 12 Pitt Panthers, No. 14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, No. 18 Syracuse Orange, No. 20 Marquette Golden Eagles and the No. 22 Louisville Cardinals. West Virginia, St. John’s, Cincinnati and Georgetown were among the others receiving votes.

For a full look at the final 2011 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll
RK	TEAM	REC	PTS	PREV
1	Connecticut (30)	32-9	773	8
2	Butler	28-10	704	NR
3	Kentucky	29-9	676	10
4	Kansas	35-3	659	2
5	Ohio State (1)	34-3	630	1
6	Virginia Commonwealth	28-12	555	NR
7	Duke	32-5	554	3
8	North Carolina	29-8	532	7
9	Arizona	30-8	531	18
10	Florida	29-8	503	13
11	San Diego State	34-3	479	5
12	Pittsburgh	28-6	448	4
13	Brigham Young	32-5	376	12
14	Notre Dame	27-7	336	6
15	Wisconsin	25-9	311	16
16	Texas	28-8	290	9
17	Purdue	26-8	276	15
18	Syracuse	27-8	250	14
19	Florida State	23-11	197	NR
20	Marquette	22-15	159	NR
21	Richmond	29-8	152	NR
22	Louisville	25-10	147	11
23	Washington	24-11	108	23
24	Kansas State	23-11	73	24
25	Utah State	30-4	51	17
Dropped out:
St. John’s 19, Texas A&M 20, Vanderbilt 21, Xavier 22, Georgetown 25
Others receiving votes:
Temple 41, West Virginia 34, St. John’s 33, Xavier 31, Texas A&M 31, UCLA 25, Vanderbilt 24, Cincinnati 24, Wichita State 20, George Mason 9, Old Dominion 9, Michigan 9, Gonzaga 7, Georgetown 5, Missouri 2, Illinois 1

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 4/6

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.

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

Kemba video on his future, winning a title, etc. [Gavin Keefe – The Day]

A final ‘job well done’ for Huskies [Lee Lewis – The Republican-American]

UConn returns with trophy; Walker added to “Huskies of Honor” [Neill Ostrout – CT Post]

Video View: Homecoming Celebration In Storrs For The National Champs [Shawn Courchesne – Hartford Courant]

Day of excitement for Calhoun, UConn fans [CT Post]

UConn repays Walker for a special season [CT Post]

TV ratings take hit Monday, but overall, a success [CT Post]

Fans Greet National Champ UConn At Rainy Bradley Airport And At Gampel Pavilion In Storrs [Hartford Courant]

Lamb, Oriakhi Will Keep UConn In Good Hands [Hartford Courant]