Sox lost in weekend hype, standings too

The Bruins not only gave me a chuckle, but they broke the hearts of the many sucker fans. The Celtics gave me great joy by putting a hold on the LeBron commercials for the short term and more importantly, they advanced the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in the last three seasons. Lost in all of this great hype and sports action that gives us something to feel warm inside about, the Boston Dead Sox continued to do what they’ve done best all year: play inconsistently and lose.

John Lackey has been so-so in his first of five Red Sox seasons -- Jon Lester the same. The team’s issue list would take up more space than Dwight Howard’s shoulders. The bottom line is this: the Red Sox have their chance for a successful season in the current and upcoming series. If they don’t win -- which it looks like they won’t on a consistent basis -- then the goose is cooked. Well-done.

Sitting back at 19-19 and 7.5 games out of first place, the standings haven’t been kind to the Red Sox. But the Red Sox haven’t been kind to the standings themselves, and regardless of the Yankees and Rays’ terrific starts, they have only themselves to blame.

The important games currently and ahead that will make or break the season:

3 games at Detroit: 1-2

2 games at New York

2 games vs. Minnesota

3 games at Philadelphia

3 games at Tampa Bay, all TBD

Thirteen games, already down two losses. Those five teams are of the cream of the crop. If the Sox don’t step up their play, they’ll be surprised how quickly these quality opponents can and will bury them. Keep Terry Francona in your thoughts the next few days, huh?

It’s becoming harder to dissect the Red Sox’ problems as the season has gone on. Most would find it easier to figure out their flaws, as the case usually goes. However, it’s becoming more difficult to point the finger at the specifics. Yes, the pitching has been brutal, the offense and defense right up there in misery. But why? Why aren’t things improving? Is John Farrell overrated? Could be. Is Francona sitting with his hands tied? Most likely. Did Theo just put together a group of square pegs built for circular holes? Looks that way.

Lost in a weekend where the Bruins had the largest choke in the history of the NHL and the Celtics made believers in their fans, the Red Sox sit boring and dangling over the fire. I predicted this team would have to make a major move by late May in order to compete; looks like Chef Theo is going to have to decide whether to drop the goose onto the fire to be cooked or buy some different groceries.

JMO