Despite our hitters hitting, we couldn't stop the Deacons who were the top performers in the league this past week. With the loss to the Deacons, that drops us to 4th in the AL, and we see the Samurai and red-hot Condors coming up behind us. Best thing we can do now? Beat the Turtles at home, as the Turtles, despite their 5-7 record are overperforming as the lowest scoring team in the AL. We're going to break out the orange jerseys at home for the first time ever and feature starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, who went 12.2 innings last week, striking out 9 and allowing 7 ER, netting himself both a win and a loss as well as a quality start. #WeAreOK

The Atoms kept rolling with a big win over the Sidewinders to extend our winning streak to 8. That happens to be one win longer than our next opponent, as the San Diego Pandas come into this one having won 7 in a row. One of those streaks will come to an end in SoCal, and with both of us at the top of the NL, more than just that will be on the line. Modeling the standard road set this week will be C Carter Jensen, who's been heating up along with the weather. Against Dallas, the young backstop went 10-20 with 3 doubles, 2 home runs, and 3 walks, while scoring 6 runs, driving in 4, and stealing a base. #UpAndAtom

With 9 weeks left in the season, Memphis is currently sitting 9 games back on New York and Boston, who are tied for the final playoff spot. What this means is that due to New York and Boston playing the final week of the season, Memphis has been eliminated from the playoffs.

Toronto is next to be potentially eliminated. They will be eliminated this week with a New York win over Memphis OR a Boston win over Carolina AND a Toronto loss to Montreal. Toronto will also be eliminated with both New York and Boston wins, or losses by New York, Boston, and Toronto.

A massive win over the Pandas helps to solidify the Atoms' lead on the rest of the National League. As big as that game was, though, this next one might be even bigger, as we welcome the AL-leading Arizona Thunderbirds to town. The T-Birds have been hot all year and have no signs of showing down, and come into this one matching our 13-1 record. Eyes across the continent will be on this one, and they'll likely be focused on 2B/3B Caleb Durbin. The second-year infielder joined the team just in time for the game against San Diego, but absolutely delivered, going 9-25 with 2 doubles, a homer, 5 runs, 5 RBI, 2 walks, and 2 steals. #UpAndAtom

And with their loss, New York win, and Boston win, the Toronto Talons join the Memphis Kings eliminated from the playoffs. There are eight weeks left in the regular season, and no other team is in jeopardy of being eliminated this week.

Next week is the All-Star Game(s) and I will be announcing the rosters next Monday, however this week is our first ever International Series game, coming to you live from Berlin, Germany. Hosting the game this year are the Minnesota Gemini, as the Gemini and the Pandas make the trip overseas.