HR 3 - Bruins need a lift, Celtics are rolling

The WEEI Afternoons podcast dives into the Boston Red Sox's recent struggles, focusing on Garrett Crochet's sharp decline in performance, particularly with his once-dominant sweeper pitch now underperforming. Hosts Lou Maloney, Andy Hartnick, and Fitzy Stevens express concern over the team's small-ball identity, questioning whether the current roster has the personnel to execute contact-heavy, situational baseball. They also critique the team's lack of power hitting and poor use of replay challenges, while offering cautious optimism about emerging positive trends like Roman Anthony's walks and Caleb Durbin's hard contact. The discussion shifts to the Boston Celtics, who are dominating the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs, with hosts praising their depth, defensive intensity, and leadership from Tatum and Brown, while questioning whether they can maintain focus and avoid complacency. The Bruins' collapse in Buffalo is dissected as a defensive failure, with Charlie McAvoy's turnovers and poor decision-making under scrutiny, though the hosts remain hopeful for a rebound. The episode closes with sponsor segments and a preview of upcoming topics including the Patriots and Red Sox roster decisions.