The Royals are doing exactly what everyone was expecting them - ending the season out of the playoff picture. What nobody expected them do was finish fourth in a tough division like the AL Central. They haven't gotten there yet as they are only 1.5 games ahead of the White Sox. Only eight days ago, the Royals still had a one in a million shot at the playoffs, bu they are now completely off the playoff radar.

I'm going to have to make this short due to time. 

The Good

Brian Bannister was acquired from the Mets in the offseason for hard-throwing reliever Ambiorix Burgos. The trade has paid off for the Royals as Bannister has an ERA of 3.46 over 153.1 innings.

Gil Meche had a career ERA of 4.65 when the Royals signed him to a 5 year, $55M deal that surprised many in the industry. GM Dayton Moore cited scouts as seeing something in Meche that thought he could be a #1 pitcher. While he isn't a #1, Meche certainly proved useful this year after giving the Royals 195 innings of 3.78 ERA ball.

Out of the bullpen, Joakim Soria has held down the closer job, totaling 14 saves with a 2.52 ERA over 60.2 innings.

Zack Greinke struggled at the beginning of the year which prompted a move to the bullpen where he dominated at times. Now back in the rotation, Greinke has given the Royals a 3.99 ERA over 103.2 innings.

The Bad

2006 first round pick Luke Hochevar only managed a 4.86 ERA in time split between AA and AAA, and scouts are starting to question his aggressiveness on the mound.

Looking Forward

It took a while, but Alex Gordon figured out his swing at the major league level after the first two months. Since the end of May, Gordon has hit .296/.332/.494, which isn't great for a third baseman, but it sure beats the .185/.267/.298 he hit in April and May. Gordon and Billy Butler will make them a strong force offensively, but this team has a ways to go before they're back in contention.