I would never advocate "lose and get it over with" . The point of the game is to win, which sometimes takes extraordinary efforts by the full team. I think during the post A-S part of the season , now concluding, there have been some opportunities to put the race away, and the team failed to do so. The recent 7 game win streak raised hopes and erased doubts once again only rto fall back in the ditch over the last 4. Now they truly need to win all 5 to manage their own fate, which will be a one gamer .
The final 12 consecutive outs on a low number of pitches by the O's really set off some "negativity" as you say because MLB level , well paid, proven professionals could not raise their game against a inferior opponent. Did they quit, likely not, just couldn't get the half bunt, bloopers that seem to beat us.
A better description in lieu of negativity, might be what difference does it make to get the WC and even win it because this team's talent does not look consistent enough to win the ALDS nor ALDS, much less the WS. So why be too concerned ?