BALTIMORE -- Do you know the last time the Red Sox won two games in a row? It was exactly one month ago. 

All was seemingly right with the then first-place Sox upon completion of that two-game ball of fire, with Terry Francona's team carrying an 8 1/2 game lead on the floundering Rays.

Now, things are all even -- and uncomfortable.

Slump? Trend? Either way, you have a stretch like that and it can be assumed that plenty of solutions have been sought, and few have been found. The dynamic hasn't changed, leaving the Sox with an unsavory dose of reality as they stare down the regular season's final two games.

Red Sox followers have hoped for the best. It hasn't come. And to think is going to magically arrive for the next two or three days might be the same kind of reach that have left this team unsatisfied so many times over the past 27 games.

So, as the Sox find themselves tied with the Rays in the American League wild card race, it might be time to face some facts. They are reminders that don't necessarily add up to the Red Sox playing beyond Thursday.

TWO PITCHERS CAN SAVE THE SOX?

Josh Beckett and Jon Lester were supposed to be the fail-safe options even in the worst of times. Well, after Beckett's six-inning, six-run performance on Monday, he has had his two worst starts of the season when it counts the most. Lester's last three starts have resulted in an 0-3 mark with a 10.54 ERA.

Even during the darkest of times, the perception was that not only would the two starters pave the way to the playoffs, but once there the dominance would suddenly kick in. It's an image that is now hard to imagine.

In 2009, just before he went on a momentous postseason run, Lester turned in a September that included four starts that produced a 4-0 mark with a 1.67 ERA before stumbling in a throw-away game to end his regular season.

Beckett experienced a similar prelude to the postseason during his historic playoff performance in '07, going 4-0 with a 2.25 ERA in September leading up to a meaningless regular season finale.

The signs haven't been close to the same.

THE RED SOX CAN SOMEHOW MATCH UP?

The end of the month is near, and the Red Sox have locked up their worst-ever ERA for the month of September. The starters have a mark of 4-13 with a 7.26 ERA. The Rangers? Their starters are 14-4, 2.93 ERA. The Rays starting pitchers are 11-8 with a 3.58 ERA. And the starters for the Tigers have totaled a 13-3 mark in the month, with a 3.60 ERA.

The Rays have four starting pitchers with ERAs of 4.15 or less. The Rangers' top four starters are at 2.92 or better. And four of the Tigers' starting hurlers are at 3.38 or under. 

The Red Sox?

No Sox starter has an ERA of better than 4.15, and that comes from Erik Bedard, who has made just two starts. Everybody else in the rotation is at 5.25 or more for the month.

The point is, holding your breath for somebody to get hot might not be advisable.

THE SOX CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY?

This is true, but as mentioned before, winning multiple games in a row has been a struggle. The last time the Red Sox won three games in a row -- which would be exactly how they can control their own fate, with a one-game playoff in St. Petersburg, Fla. being mixed in -- came during a four-game set in Texas.

So, how did they do that? Scoring 30 runs in three games didn't hurt.

Then there are the teams that stand in the way of destiny. The Red Sox have lost four of their last five meetings against Baltimore, with the Orioles scoring six runs or better in seven of the last nine showdowns.

The good news is that, recent struggles aside, the Red Sox would appear to have the pitching edge in the final two games with the Orioles, with Bedard going up against Zach Britton Tuesday, and Lester facing off with Alfredo Simon in the regular season finale. Britton pitched a solid game against the Sox in April (six innings, one run), but imploded in his last meeting, giving up eight runs in just 2/3 innings. Simon's one start this season against the Sox was a 4 2/3-inning, three-run defeat in July.

Still, momentum is firmly against the Red Sox these days, regardless of previous performances, a notion that was reinforced Monday night.

And how about the chance the Rays somehow slip up against the Yankees? Well, judging by New York's approach to the first game of their series in St. Pete, it would take something out of the ordinary for Tampa Bay to lose stride against what figures to be a wave of Yankee second-teamers. 

Jeremy Hellickson against Bartolo Colon? David Price closing things out vs. … To Be Announced. It would be in the Sox' best interest to find a way to find their way at Camden Yards.

THE INJURIES HAVEN'T MADE A DIFFERENCE?

By all accounts, Kevin Youkilis will not be a factor the rest of the way. The Red Sox enter Tuesday night with both of their catchers carrying injuries that would undoubtedly sideline both in regular circumstances. And then there is a litany of other bodies on the field for the Sox who are weathering fairly noticeable aches and pains (see Adrian Gonzalez).

It has meant something in regards to consistency.

For example, in the Red Sox' six victories this month they have totaled 73 runs, while the losses have seen 62 runs scored. It's been feast or famine, with the offense going hungry in far too many games.

This team is bumped, bruised and befuddled. And, with an unappetizing dose of history staring it in the face, solutions are no longer seemingly around the corner.