Nick Castellanos Answers The Mets' Whimsy | Defector
Briefly

The Philadelphia Phillies, despite a familiar core from previous seasons, showed remarkable improvement, starting the year as the top team in baseball without significant roster changes.
Unlike teams that scrape into the playoffs, the Phillies’ shift from fun to expectation has created a pressure that impacts their performance—losing becomes a risk instead of just a game.
The contrast with the New York Mets highlights the unpredictability of playoff baseball; even favored teams can falter under pressure, revealing the tension between expectation and performance.
The Phillies' struggles in the early playoff games underline the fine line between success and failure, especially in a short series format where every game holds significant weight.
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