Not only does hope spring eternal in MLB, it springs all the way into the summer. This time last year, the eventual World Series champions were languishing below .500 at 25-26. On the morning of June 1, FanGraphs gave the Atlanta Braves a measly 23.8% chance at making the playoffs and just a 1.5% shot at doing exactly what they did — winning it all.
In fact, the eventual champions have entered June under .500 in each of the past two full seasons, as the 2019 Washington Nationals famously started 19-31.
Odds can only glean the path ahead based on the current situation.