Because it's not a mature argument, it's wishcasting. Sure, if they sneak into the playoffs with a 500 or even worse record, they could go on a run. That's so unlikely to happen GIVEN WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM THE TEAM THIS YEAR that it's not worth discussing. Such a statement stifles discussion instead of enhancing it because you're clinging to the 0.0000000000001% chance that it might happen. It's entirely unrealistic.
You're taking every bit the partisan position you're accusing others of having. In your own words: don't be a part of that.
It's not wishcasting. And quit with the stawmen; you are completely misstating my position, and, I think, that of other posters.
1) Post-season Competetiveness
Regardless of their final record, there's a non-zero chance this team finds itself at the end of September with:
A healthy rotation of: Paxton, Eovaldi, Pivetta, Wacha, whomever - no #5 in a playoff series.
A bullpen holding: Strahm, Houck, Schreiber, Whitlock, Crawford, et al.
A lineup with a healthy and locked in: Devers, JD, Xander, Story, Vaz, Verdugo, CF, RF, 1B.
And that's without a modest trade or two.
That's a team that can credibly compete in the post-season. Moreso if someone (a la Enrique Hernandez, 2021) gets hot for a series.
Is it likely? Sure. I expect most of those guys to be back, most to be healthy, and that projection
does not involve scenarios like Hernandez's return, Dalbec/Franchy figuring things out, or Duran's emergence, etc. Maybe one thing like that happens, but it's not required.
2) Getting There
I think most on the board agree making the post-season is becoming less likely as time goes on, the injuries and poor play persist, and the remaining number of games dwindle. I've been clear I'm in that boat. It's been my concern since the "back in it?" thread was started.
Now, do I think they can get lucky, win a few this week, and have Devers, Story, and Wacha return to bolster the club? Yes.
Do I think that's likely? Probably not. That's because the worm has to turn on a number of performances. E.g., Eovaldi and Pivetta have to figure things out, and while I believe they can, they have limited time to do so. We're in a rough patch and need strong performances from our pitching with a AAAA lineup.
If it happens would that be enough to guarantee a playoff berth? Probably not. They're fully in the scrum with more teams than spots. The limited number of games left against credible opponents means they might also have to hope another team or two nose-dives.
Do I think a post-season berth is impossible? No. Because it's not.
Now you know what I think.