The affiliates posted a 5-4 record Monday night.

The second worst teams in the American League play four games at the RC. The A's and Jays are tied with 44-54 records, with only the White Sox behind them. Toronto are ten games out of first place, the A's are 21 as Houston are pulling away.

It is one week to the trade deadline so expect lots of trade chatter this week. The Jays tradeable options are not the most in demand players so expect the Jays to be quiet until the weekend.

Vancouver clinched the first half championship on Saturday and will be in the playoffs come September. The lower level teams seem to be the best bets for the playoffs this season. Buffalo, New Hampshire, Dunedin and Lansing haven't shown playoff form although Dunedin have a chance for the second half title if they can finish strong. Bluefield and the GCL Jays, along with Vancouver, could be playoff bound. For Vancouver this is the first time they have made the playoffs from the first half of the season, they have previously qualified from the second half. Vancouver in the playoffs could impact the Jays promotion plans, they could prefer that players stay in Vancouver to experience the playoffs rather than go to Lansing and get their heads beaten in most nights. Lansing are desperate for Justin Maese and Patrick Murphy to return and both are pitching in the GCL and getting close.

Elsewhere, Ryan Borucki had a great start to his AA career. Michael Saunders had a good weekend in AAA, as did Dwight Smith. Nate Pearson made his first start for Vancouver and pitched well. The Bats are hot for several of the affiliates.

The Jays visit the Edwing.

Not too much excitement on the farm last night.

Lordes Gurriel did not play well in Dunedin but was promoted to New Hampshire anyway. In a small sample he has hit well there and looks like he is getting back in the groove after time off for his defection from Cuba and his early season injuries. Joining him in New Hampshire is Ryan Borucki who has been promoted according to John Lott. This might precipitate another move as New Hampshire already had five starters. The Jays have had to shuffle a lot of pitchers recently and it it hasn't always worked out well. New Hampshire, Dunedin, Bluefield and the GCL Jays won on Wednesday while things are ugly in Buffalo, Lansing and Vancouver. Buffalo have been in very bad form for over a month now. Lansing have lost the glow of Bo and Vladdy and have also lost pitchers to the DL. Their pitching is a definite weak link. And Vancouver are in first place but hanging on through a rough patch.

The affliates won five out of seven Tuesday with the boys on the Gulf Coast sweeping a doubleheader. Dunedin lost and Vancouver was slaughtered.

The affiliates won three and lost five Monday night.

The Blue Jays play four in Beantown.

Chavez Young was picked in the 39th round in 2016 and is providing great hitting from the top of the lineup in Bluefield. He hit .500 over the weekend to bump his average up to .325. New Hampshire and Lansing had 14 hits on Sunday, Bluefield had 12. Dunedin had only nine but that was enough for a win. Buffalo and Vancouver's hitters were off their game. Andy Ravel and Sean Reid-Foley were the best of Sunday's pitchers.

The second half is off and running with a nice 7-1 win. Aaron Sanchez was strong while the offense did its job.

Players have been promoted and a few made their debuts last night.

The Batters Box top 30 prospect list is not updated until after the end of the season but today I look at some potential comings and goings off the list. Buffalo and New Hampshire both had the day off for their respective all-star games. Jason Leblebijian represented the Jays in the AAA game, we went 0-4. The AA contingent were more successful. Each of Gunnar Heidt, Ryan McBroom and Danny Jansen had a hit. Jansen also walked. Conner Greene pitched two innings and picked up four strikeouts while allowing two hits. Dusty Isaacs struck out the side in the eighth. In the affiliate games that were played Bo Bichette, David Jacob and Ryan Noda hit home runs.

It was a perfect day on the farm. There were only two games played but you take them where you can get them.

The affiliates put four of six in the loss column Monday. Buffalo and New Hampshire are on their All-Star breaks.