PHILADELPHIA — The Mets have been exceptionally prone to streaks this season, good and bad, which is what has them in the position they find themselves in this week in Philadelphia. The Phillies are running away with the NL East, possessing nearly a double-digit lead over the second-place Mets, who are still holding down the final Wild Card spot in the National League, but barely.

The San Francisco Giants are within striking distance, two games behind the Mets. Outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-hander Jose Butto, acquired by the Giants from the Mets at the trade deadline , are helping their new team with this late-season swoon, while their old one is struggling to stop yet another losing streak on the other side of the country.

“I think that the team understands where we are,” shorts

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