As I watched Thursday's 12-8 loss to the Cardinals, I kept having the strangest feeling of deja vu.
We're a long, long way from season's end and the Mets' recent slide isn't indicative of much. Their recent play, though, makes the rest of the season feel pre-ordained. And the familarities don't stop there:
Do the Mets have endearing characters from various backgrounds in conflict over sense of entitlement? Check!
Is what could potentially sink the Mets not readily visible or apparent yet? Check!
Are you left pondering at the end why the Mets discard their financial well-being in favor of nostalgia? Check!
I'll admit that I'm not sure how the story ends. We could find ourselves with a heck of a story.
But the ending feels awfully predictable lately, and for all the wrong reasons.