Franklin Morales (L), Jeremy Hellickson (R)

After enjoying the past four days off for the 2012 All-Star break, the Boston Red Sox head out on the road to St. Petersburg, FL to start a three-game set tonight with the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. and will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Rays television market, you can watch the game on Sun Sports. And if you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as well as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game. If you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to it on the Red Sox radio network.

Franklin Morales will make his fifth start (28th appearance) tonight for the visiting nine. In his previous 27 appearances (four starts), Morales is 1-2 with a 3.50 ERA. He’s made five appearances against the Rays this season and has no record with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/4 IP). Overall in his career, Morales has made 12 appearances agains the Rays and has no record with a 1.64 ERA (2 ER/11 IP). Five of those appearances have come at the Trop where he has no record with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/5 IP).

Jeremy Hellickson will make his 16th start this season tonight for skipper Joe Maddon. In his previous 15 starts, Hellickson is 4-5 with a 3.41 ERA. He’s made three starts against the Red Sox in 2012 and is 1-0 with a 4.34 ERA. Hellickson has made eight career appearances (seven starts) against Boston and is 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA.

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 today’s lineups:

Boston Red Sox43-43 Tampa Bay Rays45-41
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF 1. Elliot Johnson SS
2. Daniel Nava LF 2. Carlos Pena 1B
3. David Ortiz DH 3. Ben Zobrist RF
4. Mauro Gomez 1B 4. B.J. Upton CF
5. Will Middlebrooks 3B 5. Jeff Keppinger 2B
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C 6. Sean Rodriguez 3B
7. Ryan Sweeney RF 7. Luke Scott DH
8. Mike Aviles SS 8. Desmond Jennings LF
9. Pedro Ciriaco 2B 9. Jose Lobaton C
Franklin Morales SP Jeremy Hellickson SP

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

Boston Red Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays batter/pitcher matchups

NOTES: As you can see from the lineup, the Red Sox have activated Ellsbury from the 60-day disabled list. To make room on both the 25-man and 40-man rosters, they have designated pitcher Justin Germano for assignment. Adrian Gonzalez was in the original lineup but was scratched.

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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Ellsbury returns, Sox to designate Germano [rob bradford – weei.com]

Pedroia: ‘We’re trying to win for [Valentine]’ [rob bradford – weei.com]

Ellsbury expresses excitement [clubhouse insider]

Adrian Gonzalez sit because Valentine thought he needed another day off after All-Star break [clubhouse insider]

Dickey reflects on Wakefield’s influence [clubhouse insider]

Hate Bobby but blame players [csn new england]

Lucchino’s ‘maddening’ letter to season-ticket holders [csn new england]

A fan’s response to Lucchino’s letter Larry’s letter [csn new england]

Breaking Down Larry’s Letter [csn new england]

Ellsbury activated; ‘excited’ to be back in lineup [csn new england]

How much disconnect is in Red Sox organization? [csn new england]

Red Sox Notes: Germano DFA; Gonzalez scratched [csn new england]

Lucchino: Red Sox won’t hesitate to make deal [espn boston]

Mismatched Sox wearing on Bobby V? [espn boston]

Bobby V: Relationships a work in progress [espn boston]

Ells: ‘You can expect to see the real me’ [espn boston]

Pedroia: ‘I haven’t felt this good since April’ [espn boston]

Larry Lucchino says to keep the faith; what about the manager? [extra bases]

Red Sox sign four more draft picks [extra bases]

Red Sox designate Justin Germano for assignment [extra bases]

Which Red Sox Pitcher Will Play the Biggest Role in Team’s Second Half? [nesn.com]

Vote: Is Starting Pitching the Biggest Key to Red Sox’ Second Half? [nesn.com]

Red Sox Should Consider Batting Jacoby Ellsbury in Middle of Order, Carl Crawford Leadoff as Outfielders Return [nesn.com]

Justin Germano Designated for Assignment by Red Sox, Could Be Possible Trade Chip [nesn.com]

Trags Bag: The case for Bobby Valentine [mike petraglia – weei.com]

A Series Matter: Red Sox-Rays and Fresh Starts [projo sox blog]

Back in Triple-A, Kalish knows he still needs to develop [projo sox blog]

Cherington: Red Sox not in the market for rentals [projo sox blog]

Ellsbury back in the lineup [projo sox blog]

Buchholz to make return on Saturday [projo sox blog]

Germano designated to make room for Ellsbury [projo sox blog]

Red Sox set to start second half vs. rival Rays [redsox.com]

For prospect Marrero, a perfect home in Lowell [redsox.com]

Weekly Notes: Barnes and Bogaerts star in Futures Game [soxprospects.com]

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photo credits: reuters pictures, getty images