Can a team just a smidgen over .500 also seem destined for great things?

Can a team that two weeks ago seemed bound for last place now be streaking toward first?

Can this actually be happening?

These are the kinds of questions that rattle around one’s brain after the happy trauma of seven-run, ninth-inning rallies — especially ones in which Brooks Conrad provides the exclamation point in the form of a walk-off grand slam.

When sure defeat becomes unlikely victory, it makes you think strange things. And make no mistake, what the Braves were facing Thursday afternoon is as close to sure defeat as you can get. According to a win probability matrix used by baseball researchers, the Braves had far less than a one-percent chance of winning when the ninth inning began.

So when radio broadcasters Jim Powell and Mark Lemke pointed out that the Braves were six runs down, but Jason Heyward was due up seventh in the inning, it was with one part hopefulness and four parts due sarcasm.

And then it began.

Troy Glaus, Eric Hinske, Yunel Escobar and Nate McLouth ripped consecutive singles. David Ross walked and Martin Prado reached on an error. All of the sudden, the bases were loaded and Heyward was up, representing the winning run.

That he struck out only proved his humanity, but it also seriously dampered the now very real rally hopes. After all, Chipper Jones and Brian McCann had already been pulled.

This is the kind of game Braves fans have gotten used to losing. In recent years, the team has given you just enough reason to get your hopes up, so that the end result stung that much more.

Dare I say it, not this year.

This year, when things seem bleakest, the team seems to play its best. When they’ve shown no signs of life, down 3-0 with one out left, three of the last four batters hit home runs and win it in the 10th. When they lose nine straight, they come back to win eight out of 10. When the closer blows a lead in the top of the ninth, the offense takes it back in the bottom of the inning and sends the crowd home happy.

This year, when the rookie who can do no wrong does fall short, the Brooks Conrads of the roster have his back. Something feels different this year.

And speaking of the home crowd, how ’bout Braves fans this year? Not only is attendance up, but they’re staying till the finish. And unlike in previous seasons, you’re more likely to overhear discussions about on-base percentages than postgame plans.

Something definitely feels different this year. Is it fate? Could it be destiny?

I’d like to say yes, but I can’t quite bring myself to those lofty, nebulous conclusions just yet.

And alas, the answer to the first two questions that began this column also remains, in all likelihood, no.

No, the Braves probably don’t have the roster to overtake the Phillies. No, they still have too many holes to feel good about their playoff chances, much less their ability to make some noise once they’re there. The percentages are pretty slim.

But yes, there’s a chance.

And in baseball, as Thursday proved again, sometimes a chance is all you need.

Brent Holloway is the sports editor for The Times. Contact him at bholloway@gainesvilletimes.com