For what has to be the first time since the Magical Mystery Tour of 2003, the Royals have climbed out of the bottom third of the Sports Illustrated weekly Power Rankings.

John Donovan has placed Buddy Bell's Blue Boys in slot # 20, with the following text:

The Royals continue to play good ball, even though it may end soon with some deadline trades that they'll just have to make. Since May 13, K.C. is five games above .500. That's 10 weeks of decent ball, sparked by a solid bullpen. The winning's no accident. This team can play. For now.

Clearly, he does not have faith that whatever Dayton Deadline Deals are Done will improve the team. I guess we'll have to see what ranking we get after a mid-week meeting with Johann Santana and a weekend series against the Yankees, during which, at this writing, A-Rod might yet make some lucky Royals pitcher a footnote to his Hall of Fame career.