It is that time in the Royals season again. That time when even the most Kool-Aid drunk fan is questioning why they are following the Royals. They are out of contention, the trade deadline has passed. Myers and Odorizzi will most likely spend the rest of the year in AAA, so there is not even going to be some promising prospects to watch trying their hands at the MLB level. In fact, it is so bad, that some nights the powers-that-be at RR don't even bother writing a post-game thread. Other nights, four runs will score before an "Official Game Thread" is even bothered to be started. It is a tough time to be a Royals fan.

Now, some will point out that there is no reason to care about the Royals because football season is about to start. Some others will counter that Billy has a real shot at breaking the Royals franchise record for homeruns. If that day comes, it would be glorious on most high. If he breaks that record, surely the curse of the Balboni will be lifted, and we shall all sing praises in his honor, write epic poems about his prowess with the bat, and rename all of our children Billy Ray. Throngs of Royals fans will dance in the streets that night, making merry until rosy-fingered dawn breaks.

If that glorious day comes, it will be in the latter part of September. We need something to root for now. We need something to root for that has all of the tension of a playoff game. Now, I know what you are thinking. "Impossible. The probability of Butler and Gordon having another shot at successfully hitting for the cycle in the same game is approximately 3,720 to 1!" Well, I am here to tell you, that yes there is something we can root for, it is for FIFTY WINS. If the Royals can manage to win the next two games against the Orioles, they will reach 50 wins before they play the 114th game of the season for only the second time since that magical 2003 season.

Date	G	W	L	W-L%	GB
8/9/2012	111	48	63	0.432	11.5
8/12/2011	119	50	69	0.42	13.5
8/17/2010	119	50	69	0.42	19
8/30/2009	130	50	80	0.385	19.5
7/30/2008	109	50	59	0.459	11
8/9/2007	113	50	63	0.442	14
9/1/2006	136	50	86	0.368	34.5
9/20/2005	150	51	99	0.34	40
9/9/2004	139	50	89	0.36	29
7/12/2003	91	50	41	0.549	--

Sure, if they can manage this feat, there will be no parade. There will be no ESPN bottom line update flashing across the screen, and most likely nobody will be waking up their kids to celebrate. But if this team can reach this admittedly insubstantial goal, then we all will have a reason to wake up in the morning, we will have to recreate this:

via images.wikia.com

Road to 50 Schedule:

Fri, 8/10	at Orioles	6:05p	Hochevar (7-9)	Gonzalez (3-2)
Sat, 8/11	at Orioles	6:05p	Mendoza (5-8)	Tillman (5-1)