Jon Lester (L), Jeff Samardzija (R)

After being shutout 3-0 yesterday afternoon, the Boston Red Sox look to get back on track in the middle game of a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs on the north side of the Windy City.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and the game will be broadcast to 39% of the country on FOX.  If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Jon Lester takes the bump for the 14th time in 2012. In his previous 13 starts, Lester is 3-4 with a 4.57 ERA. His only career start against the Cubs came last season when he got the win despite allowing five runs in six innings of work on May 20, 2011.

Jeff Samardzija makes his 13th start of 2012 for the Fightin’ Theo’s. In his previous 12 starts, Samardzija is 5-4 with a 3.96 ERA. His only career appearance came in that May 20, 2011 game when he came out of the bullpen to allow five runs (three earned) in an inning of work.

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 today’s lineups:

Boston Red Sox31-33 Chicago Cubs22-42
1. Scott Podsednik LF 1. Reed Johnson RF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B 2. Darwin Barney 2B
3. David Ortiz 1B 3. Starlin Castro SS
4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C 4. Alfonso Soriano LF
5. Will Middlebrooks 3B 5. Bryan LaHair 1B
6. Adrian Gonzalez RF 6. Joe Mather CF
7. Ryan Sweeney CF 7. Welington Castillo C
8. Mike Aviles SS 8. Luis Valbuena 3B
9. Jon Lester P 9. Jeff Samardzija P
Jon Lester SP Jeff Samardzija SP

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

Boston Red Sox @ Chicago Cubs batter/pitcher matchups

NOTES: Josh Beckett has been placed on the 15-day DL with right shoulder soreness. He’s been replaced on the 25-man roster by Clayton Mortensen.

REFRESH OR CHECK BACK OFTEN AS MORE LINKS WILL BE ADDED BEFORE GAMETIME IF/WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AND WILL BE BOLDED

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Report: Sox asked for Parra in Youk deal [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]

Josh Beckett placed on disabled list, Clayton Mortensen called up [Clubhouse Insider]

Why Franklin Morales, not Clay Buchholz, will start Sunday night [Clubhouse Insider]

Ryan Kalish update; Beckett injury [CSN New England]

D-Backs interested in Youkilis, not asking price [CSN New England]

Beckett headed to the DL [CSN New England]

Beckett headed to DL; Morales ready to go [CSN New England]

3B shuffle: Youk sits; Middlebrooks starts [CSN New England]

Video: W2W4 in Game 2 [ESPN Boston]

Sox turn to Lester, try to get even with Cubs [ESPN Boston]

Former major league pitcher Curt Schilling takes leave from ESPN analyst duties [ESPN Boston]

Beckett becomes 18th Sox player to go on DL [ESPN Boston]

Slumping Sox have Saltalamacchia hit cleanup [ESPN Boston]

On Theo Epstein’s legacy and other random thoughts from Chicago [Extra Bases]

Beckett to disabled list [Extra Bases]

Pedroia takes time for kids at Wrigley [Extra Bases]

Which Cubs Player Would Be a Good Fit on the Red Sox? [NESN.com]

Red Sox Must Stop Scouting, Start Slamming Easy Schedule for Chance at American League East [NESN.com]

Manny Ramirez Has Had Long, Strange Career with Indians, Red Sox, Dodgers (Photos) [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett’s Shoulder Sends Him to 15-Day Disabled List, With Clayton Mortensen to Take Roster Spot [NESN.com]

Josh Beckett’s DL Stint is Precautionary, But Gives Franklin Morales Chance to Prove Himself As A Spot Starter [NESN.com]

Beckett lands on disabled list [Projo Sox Blog]

How Will Middlebrooks is dealing with inconsistent playing time [Projo Sox Blog]

Lester banking on top form returning [RedSox.com]

Bobby V: Crawford ‘pretty close to playing’ [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

Beckett may get thumb treated while on DL [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]

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photo credits: Reuters Pictures, AP Photo