For the past four years or so, we’ve entertained ourselves at various points of the summer by imagining the possibility of a Subway Series World Series, and wouldn’t it be something if 25 years after 2000, that was what we got in October?

Aside from maybe a brief moment last October, those visions have always been rooted more in hope than reality. And right now, even the hopeful would concede that despite both the Yankees and Mets being in playoff position heading into stern weekend tests against the Astros and Brewers, respectively, it is closer to delusion to suggest such a thing.

This being New York and one of these teams being the Yankees, the expectation is always supposed to be a championship.

Over the past couple of weeks, there has been a quiet shift among fans who understand it could be an uphill battle for these two reeling teams to hang onto a playoff spot, let alone to compete for a title.