Are the Mets on the verge of their tipping point?

Maybe the baseball gods made sure it rained in Queens on Wednesday night, as if to not let the Mets embarrass themselves against a team they just can’t seem to beat in the Florida Marlins (16-30 since 2009).

With each excruciating and almost comical loss, the truth is becoming more apparent by the day. The 2011 Mets are just an average bunch.

Make no mistake, the Mets are a fun and ‘gritty’ group to root for. Terry Collins has maximized every ounce of potential this team has. But, they are .500 for a reason.

Even if the Mets had kept Carlos Beltran (or Francisco Rodriguez for that matter), the odds were, and have always been stacked against the Mets. Battling against the Phillies and the Braves alone is considered yeoman’s work.

While it has been fun to see Jose Reyes marvel us with his scintillating MVP-type play, Daniel Murphy proving to us he can rake, and Dillon Gee providing the rotation with a shot in the arm, it’s been more famine than feast lately though.

I hate to accentuate the negatives here, but with the last three games-that appeared very winnable- just snatched away from the Mets’ cold dead hands on the heels of a five-game winning streak, it looks as though the bubble is about to burst.

It’s been a folly fest lately. Let’s count the ways

• Daniel Murphy and Justin Turner mind-numbing indecisiveness

I don’t care what metric stats you can throw out to defend them (Sorry Brian Joura), Murphy and the previously over-worshiped Justin Turner just don’t have the mental quickness on defense and are turning into quite the buzzkill. I think I don’t have to rehash what happened in the last two games. (Note: In no way am I suggesting sitting Murphy. His bat is too valuable, just calling a spade a spade.)

• Jason Bay and Angel Pagan’s continued ineffectiveness

If they haven’t made an impact by now, they likely won’t matter enough down the stretch. Together they have combined to hit .240 to go along with just 11 home runs and 75 RBI’s. That is horrible production from two of your three outfielders.

• Bullpen meltdowns

Aside from some shoddy defense (which is mostly to blame), the bullpen has also done all it can to ruin any momentum the Mets may have had. In their last four defeats, the Mets bullpen has been tagged for nine runs (eight earned) in 13 innings pitched. While Jason Isringhausen has gone above and beyond the call of duty thus far, and while Bobby Parnell has a ton of upside, they are just not getting it done.

Look, I’m not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but the Mets squandered some golden chances to gain ground on the Atlanta Braves. Chances, a GOOD team does not let slip away.

As it is, the Mets are eight games back of those Wild Card leading Braves. And who’s next on the schedule? Why, it’s the Braves.

For the Mets to have any legit shot at the Wild Card, they almost assuredly would have to sweep the Braves this weekend. Winning two of three would be the equivalent of being stuck in neutral.

In any event, the end of the season doesn’t look promising for the Mets. I hope I am wrong, but I have come to the realization this team is what it is:decent. Nothing more, nothing less. The Mets brought a knife to a gunfight and are being exposed in the battle.

While I admire the fight to the biter end, and the warrior’s mentality the Mets’ players have exhibited (as well they should be), I’m just cushioning myself for a soft landing by lowering expectations.

But come either through exuberant win or bitter loss, I will be rooting like heck and hoping for some sort of ‘miracle’. However, I just don’t see it.

The Mets’ tipping point started with the trade of Beltran and could very well end this weekend if things stay status quo.

It’s been a fun ride nonetheless.