FanHouse DevernHansack

They're called the dog days of August for a reason. With the trade deadline in the books, major league teams are, barring a waiver trade, stuck with what they've got on the roster for the duration of the regular season. That means injuries, like the one suffered by Arizona's Orlando Hudson in the photo to the right, will shape the pennant races much more than they have over the last four months.

Five teams in the hunt for a playoff spot got bad injury news in the last 24 hours. Here's a look at who's hurt and how each team will cope with the absence of a key player over the final seven weeks.

- Carl Crawford, LF, Rays: The speedy Tampa Bay outfielder injured a tendon in his right middle finger on a check swing last night and was placed on the 15-day DL. The Rays are unsure how much time he'll miss, but a Seattle trainer told him he could miss six-to-eight weeks. If he's out that long, it could be devastating to their chances of holding off Boston in the AL East.

The Fanhouse's look at the day's most intriguing matchups

Boston Red Sox (28-12) vs. Atlanta Braves (25-16)-1:05PM Est.

If Chipper Jones was angry about having to play the Red Sox before, I'd hate to be around him today. Thanks to yesterday's rain out, Chipper's going to have to play two games against the Sawx today. In the first game Daisuke Matsuzaka will face off against Anthony Lerew. Don't worry, I have no idea who Lerew is either. To make things fair, the Red Sox have called up Devern Hansack to face off with John Smoltz in the night game.

Detroit Tigers (25-16) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (16-23)-7:05PM Est.

The first game of last night's World Series rematch went a lot like most of us thought the actual World Series would go. Today the Tigers look to continue unleashing their vengeance upon the hapless Cardinals. If Andrew Miller could keep the Birds at bay in his first Major League start, what will Nate Robertson be capable of doing? Anthony Reyes and his funny socks and straight brim will serve as the sacrificial lamb tonight.

Colorado Rockies (17-25) vs. Kansas City Royals (16-27)-8:05PM Est.

You know, all the attention during interleague play is given to the "big" rivalries like Yankees/Mets, or Cubs/White Sox. But for my money, there is no rivalry in any sport that can come close to the intensity of Rockies/Royals. These guys really hate each other. Seriously. It's like the Arabs and the Jews. The Bloods and the Crips. Gil Meche goes for the Royals tonight and looks to extend his 27-inning scoreless streak on the road. Of course, he's only managed a 1-0 record in that streak.