How bout them symmetrical apples? Back in 2014 Howie Kendrick and Andrew Heaney passed each other on the 5 freeway and the Angels and Dodgers swapped players. Three years later those two players arrived together in Washington, DC. Kendrick just 3 weeks after being traded, and Heaney just hours after going through rehab. Kendrick showed up and produced. Heaney showed up and watched. Nats win, 3-1. But's Ok, folks. Kendricks gave the Nats a win. Heaney will be giving the Halos wins for years to come.
It's easy to point to any of a lot of small things as to why a team loses a close game.