The schedule has been hectic so it is with pride that I make my 2012 debut in the McCoy Stadium press box.  And it’s a great time to be here as the PawSox enter tonight’s first game of a two game series with the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees riding an eight game winning streak and sitting atop the I.L.’s North Division with a record of 14-5.

Here are the line-ups for tonight’s game:

Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees (8-8, 5th Place IL North Division)

Colin Curtis RF
Jayson Nix 3B
Dewayne Wise CF
Steve Pearce LF
Jack Cust DH
Francisco Cervelli C
Brandon Laird 1B
Ramiro Pena 2B
Doug Bernier SS

DJ Mitchell (2-0, 2.12 ERA) P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (14-5, 1st Place IL North Division)

Daniel Nava DH
Jose Iglesias SS
Ryan Lavarnway C
Mauro Gomez 1B
Will MIddlebrooks 3B
Josh Kroeger RF
Alex Hassan LF
Che-Hsuan Lin CF
Tony Thomas 2B

Brandon Duckworth (2-0, 2.55 ERA) P

There was a switch in the starting pitching for the PawSox tonight as Duckworth will get the start with Alex Wilson, the scheduled starter, being moved to the bullpen.  Duckworth has made two starts thus far this season, going 1-0 with an ERA of 2.00.

With a win tonight the PawSox will match the longest winning streak in franchise history (9 games). They accomplished that feat five different times, the last of which came in 2000.

Much has been made of the PawSox offense thus far this season.  But the Pawtucket pitching staff is also faring well.  The staff has a team ERA of 2.79 is third best in the International League.  PawSox pitchers have allowed three runs or less in 14 of their 19 games this season.

The Yankees are road warriors this season.  They will be playing every game this season away from their home in Moosic, PA as PNC Field is undergoing renovations slated to be completed next year.

I will be providing updates of the game tonight on Twitter.  Come back here for a wrap-up at game’s end.

BOSTON- Welcome to Fenway Park as the PawSox get set to play the back end of the annual “Futures of Fenway” double header.  It’s also the opener of a four game series with the Syracuse Chiefs. The PawSox enter the game one game ahead of Lehigh Valley for first place in the I.L. North Division.

The PawSox are 2-1 in three appearances as part of the “Futures at Fenway” series.  In 2006 they defeated the Rochester Red Wings 5-4.  In 2008 the PawSox beat the Charlotte Knights 5-2.  In their last appearance the PawSox fell to the Norfolk Tides in 2009 by a score of 7-3.

Here are the line-ups:

Syracuse Chiefs (56-67, 4th Place IL North Division)

Steve Lombardozzi 2B
Roger Bernadina LF
Chris Merrero 1B
Jesus Valdez RF
Jhonatan Solano C
Matt Antonelli 3B
Seth Bynum  SS
Jeff Frazier DH
Corey Brown CF

Brad Meyers (4-4, 3.79 ERA) P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (72-54, 1st Place IL North Division)

Che-Hsuan Lin RF
Ryan Kalish CF
Daniel Nava DH
Lars Anderson 1B
Will Middlebrooks 3B
Hector Luna 2B
Brett Carroll LF
Luis Exposito C
Jose Iglesias SS

Kyle Weiland (8-8, 3.40 ERA) P

Although it’s a thrill for both teams to get a taste of the majors by playing at Fenway, it’s not always a good thing in terms of preparing for a game.  Both teams are not allowed to use the Fenway clubhouses and will not be able to take part in the normal pre-game routine of batting practice on the field.

“Your routine kind of gets messed up on days like this.” said PawSox Manager Arnie Beyeler, “The clubhouse situation, waiting for another game to get over.  But once the guys get playing, getting an inning our two into the game, it’s baseball.”

Weiland is no stranger to Fenway, starting for Boston July 10th against the Orioles.  He did not earn a no decision in that game, going four innings and giving up six runs.  He walked two and struck out six.

“He’s familiar with the surroundings here.” said Beyeler.  ”He’s also pitched during one of the Futures games before.  He’s a good guy to have out there.”

Middlebooks will make his first start in the field for the PawSox at third base.  Middlebooks was called up from Portland by Pawtucket last night and was 0 for 4 as the DH.

Luna is the hottest PawSox batter at the moment, hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 games with an average of .465.

We will be providing updates from Fenway via Twitter.  Come back here for a complete wrap after the game.

PAWTUCKET- There’s a lot to report on from McCoy as we prepare for game three of the series between the PawSox and the Columbus Clippers.  The teams have split the first two games of the series.

First, the line-ups:

Columbus Clippers (79-47, 1st Place IL West Division)

Tim Fedroff CF
Cord Phillips 2B
Chad Huffman LF
Travis Buck RF
Shelley Duncan DH
Beau Mills 1B
Jared Goedert  3B
Paul Phillips C
Argenis Reyes SS

Zach McAllister (9-3, 3.27 ERA) P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (71-53, 1st Place IL North Division)

Che-Hsuan Lin CF
Ryan Kalish DH
Daniel Nava LF
Lars Anderson 1B
Nate Spears 2B
Hector Luna 3B
Brett Carroll RF
Luis Exposito C
Jose Iglesias SS

Alex Wilson (NR) P

All the news on the team is taking place off-the-field.  Ryan Lavarnway will make his Major League debut tonight for the Red Sox after being called-up following the placement of Kevin Youkilis on the disabled list.  Lavarnway is batting .301 with 16 homers and 47 RBI’s in 55 games with the PawSox. To make room on the 40 man roster PawSox pitcher Randy Williams was designated for assignment.

“He’s earned the spot” said PawSox Manager Arnie Beyeler, “He got off to a hot start.  The league’s kind of adjusted to him a bit.  But he’s done a great job”

The PawSox have added C Matt Spring to fill Lavarnway’s spot on the roster.  Spring started the year in Salem where he hit .231 with 4 homers and 14 RBI’s.  In 20 games with the Sea Dogs Spring is hitting .257 with 4 homers and 13 RBI’s

The injury bug is beginning to impact the PawSox pitching staff.  Starters Matt Fox and Kevin Duckworth were both placed on the 7-day disabled list today.  Fox’ designation is retroactive to August 15th as he’s sidelined with a right shoulder strain.  Duckworth’s DL stint is retroactive to August 16th with a right elbow strain.

“It gives other players the opportunity to play, just like we’ve done all year.” said Beyeler in reaction to the sudden depletion of his pitching staff.

With all the moves the PawSox currently have 22 players on their active roster.

Alex Wilson makes his debut tonight after being promoted from Portland.  In 21 starts with the Sea Dogs, Wilson is 9-4 with a 3.05 ERA. He has 99 strikeouts and 37 walks in 112 innings pitched.  Wilson was the Red Sox’ 2nd round draft pick in the 2009 draft.

“He’s a plus fastball guy, very aggressive pitcher” said Beyeler, “He’s definitely not a finesse guy.”

We’ll be providing updates throughout the game on Twitter.  Jojn us back here for a wrap-up after the game is complete.

PAWTUCKET- We are back at McCoy for tonight’s opener between the top two teams in the International League as the PawSox host the Columbus Clippers.

Here are the line-ups:

Columbus Clippers (78-46, 1st Place IL West Division)

Luis Valbuena 2B
Cord Phillips SS
Chad Huffman RF
Jared Head CF
Shelley Duncan LF
Nick Johnson 1B
Jared Goedert  3B
Thomas Neal DH
Luke Carlin C

Corey Kluber (6-8, 5.91 ERA) P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (70-52, 1st Place IL North Division)

Che-Hsuan Lin RF
Ryan Kalish CF
Daniel Nava DH
Lars Anderson 1B
Brett Carroll LF
Hector Luna 3B
Nate Spears 2B
Luis Exposito C
Jose Iglesias SS

Felix Doubront (1-3, 3.14 ERA) P

The PawSox enter tonight’s contest two games ahead of Lehigh Valley in the I.L.’s North Division.  The PawSox just completed a 6-2 road trip through Charlotte and Gwinnett.

The Clippers enter the game with the best record in the league, 13 games ahead of Indianapolis in the I.L.’s West Division.

The Red Sox have announced that pitcher Alex Wilson has been promoted to the PawSox from Portland.  In 21 starts with the Sea Dogs, Wilson is 9-4 with a 3.05 ERA. He has 99 strikeouts and 37 walks in 112 innings pitched.  Wilson was the Red Sox’ 2nd round draft pick in the 2009 draft.

To make room on the roster the PawSox placed Brent Dlugach on the 7-day disabled list with a strained left shoulder.

Follow us during the game on Twitter.  Check back here after the game for a recap.

PAWTUCKET- It’s been a while, but we are back at McCoy for tonight’s second game of the four game series between the Buffalo Bisons and the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Here are the line-ups:

Buffalo Bisons (48-64, 5th Place IL North Division)

Luis Figueroa 2B
Mike Baxter RF
Josh Satin 3B
Valentino Pascucci 1B
Fernando Martinez DH
Nick Evans LF
Jesus Feliciano  CF
Ruben Tejada SS
Dusty Ryan C

Miguel Batista (1-0, 5.14 ERA) P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (62-50, 2nd Place IL North Division)

Che-Hsuan Lin CF
Nate Spears 2B
Jed Lowrie DH
Lars Anderson 1B
Brett Carroll RF
Hector Luna 3B
Daniel Nava LF
Luis Exposito C
Jose Iglesias SS

Kevin Millwood (5-1, 4.12 ERA) P

The newest member of the Red Sox organization is here with the PawSox.  OF Brett Carroll was signed by Boston as a free agent after opting out of his contract with the Brewers’ Tri[ple A Nashville Sounds.  Carroll jhas played in the big leagues with the Marlins in 2007, 2008, and 2009 and two games this season with the Brewers.  In 175 big league games Carroll has a .203 average with 5 homers and 28 RBI.  To make room on the Pawtucket roster the team placed Tony Thomas on the disabled list with a left knee contusion.

Ryan Kalish was in the PawSox clubhouse before the game after making a rehab start in Lowell last night.  PawSox Manager Arnie Beyeler says Kalish seems to be fine after last night’s game and will get another start tomorrow night in Lowell before being evaluated.

PawSox lefty Felix Doubront is slated to make a rehab start with Lowell tomorrow night. Doubront is expected to pitch two innings as he continues to recover from a right hamstring strain.

Jed Lowrie will play the entire game tonight as the PawSox’ DH.  Beyeler says Lowrie looks fine, but has yet to take any swings from the right side of the plate.  Lowrie is expected to be evaluated after tonight’s game to see if when he will be cleared to return to Boston.

There will be no lack of Major League experience from tonight’s two starters.  The 40 year-old Batista is a veteran of 17 big league seasons while the 36 year-old Millwood has 14 years under his belt.

We’ll be providing updates on the game via Twitter.  Join us back here for a wrap-up