Maybe It's a Conspiracy

"By losing their fourth consecutive game on Tuesday night, 9-3, at Citizens Bank Park, the Mets fell to within two games of the nearest Wild Card aspirant, the surging San Francisco Giants. The stubbornly viable Cincinnati Reds also won on Tuesday, moving them within three of the Mets. New York, once seen as a sure entrant into the National League playoffs, appears to be standing on ever shakier ground."

"It may not be a matter of simple bad play or bad luck, according to those who claim experience in the field. "Look at how they proceed," suggests a man willing to identify himself as only El Castillo, a former baseball operative. "They do just enough to indicate they are perfectly capable of winning games, yet they inevitably find a way to lose. This could be interpreted as a sign they do not want to compete beyond their heretofore agreed-upon schedule.""

"El Castillo points to individual Mets' inclinations to "do something well to momentarily make you forget they do something poorly," so the overall outcome they produce is muddied. "Sean Manaea pitches very badly for a couple of innings, enough to do sufficient damage to his team's fortunes, then suddenly 'gets it together' to finish on 'a high note'. returns from a long absence and hits a ball that almost goes out of the stadium, then almost makes a difficult catch."

The New York Mets have lost four straight games and slipped to within two games of the San Francisco Giants and three of the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card chase. Observers allege the team's pattern of intermittent competence and repeated lapses suggests intentional avoidance of postseason competition. Specific examples include erratic pitching, big plays followed by defensive lapses, and players who alternate moments of excellence with costly mistakes. Reports name specific players and instances to illustrate the pattern, noting Sean Manaea's early struggles then recovery, an unnamed returner who nearly hit a home run but failed to secure a catch, and Mark Vientos' home run followed by a nonchalant ground ball that allowed a run. The Mets' trajectory from presumed playoff certainty to precarious standing raises questions about competitive intent and roster consistency as the postseason approaches.

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