we can all cite a ton of examples where teams underperform early then catch fire and roll. i'm sure it's possible that can happen.
that said, this team is just good at losing. how they lose looks different from day-to-day but the result is the same. starting pitching looks great, then it doesn't. bullpen shines for two weeks, then gives it up. we don't hit for two-and-half-months, then score 32 runs in our last four games. go 1-3 in those games.
being good at losing is a team characteristic. i'm more inclined to think that's what this team is this year. doesn't mean the rebuild's a failure or some variation of this core can't excel in a different year, but i increasingly think we are not going to see it this year.