Currently, the Mets stand just one game above the mythical .500 mark, the same record as the Mariners, who lost 101 games last year. The team remains very much in the race, mostly thanks to the incompetence and injury problems of the rival Phillies. Still, the sense among most Mets fans seems to be desperation. The most common sentiment is that watching the team has become so painful, it's impossible to even grasp that they're positioned for a playoff run. The feeling leads to wishing the team would just pick an identity. If you're going to be bad, tank for Bryce Harper and let the Braves deal with the stress of September! Or fine, be good, but don't win and lose in the most gut-wrenching ways, dragging it out to the last day of the season.

I get it. Entering the season, expectations for this team were very high. The reason the Mets could be lovable losers before, was the expectation level started at 0. Ever since the incredible 2006 season, the Mets seem to have been gradually improving their roster without really going anywhere. Hence, much of the discussion of whether the current stars of the team are at fault. The progression of the team, however, isn't that simple. There are more nuances to a good roster than the 4 top-starters and the closers. Without sounding too self-aggrandizing, I can say I saw much of this trouble coming.  Frustrating is a good word.

But this post isn't about second guessing the front office, or touting my own ideas for the team.  We have an entire offseason for that. This post is my plea for Mets fans to accept the reality of the situation. The team we attatched all our hopes and expectations to is rehabbing a sore knee and broken ego on a training room bed in Port St. Lucie. This team boasts Livan Hernandez as its third starter. The Mets are average. They're going to lose in ways average teams do. It's not a sign of an apocalypse or crazy roller-coaster ride. Lower your expectations a little and you may be pleasantly surprised as some of the talent coming of the DL picks the team up. Have fun. Enjoy Livan's 59 mph curveball for the majestic pitch it is. The Mets haven't exactly been good at holding the lead in recent memory, so let's give underdog a try.