Daisuke leaves early

Daisuke Matsuzaka left today's start against the Cardinals in the 2nd inning. In his first start back after what was called a successful but cautious rehab stint, Matsuzka gave up seven runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out one.

Fantasy Impact: Daisuke didn't look good at all. Who knows what happens from here. It was impossible to tell if he was experiencing discomfort, but there will certainly be questions about his strained rotator cuff after the game.

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Guillen no fan of Wrigley

Ozzie Guillen believes ballparks should be more functional than they should be fun to look at. Here's what he had to say in the Chicago Tribune about Wrigley Field on Friday:

"It smells better," Guillen said. "I'm happy. Look at the field now: it's nice. But, hey, you have to do what you have to do. Wake up in the morning and go to Wrigley Field is not a good thing.

"You are going to take batting practice (in the indoor cages) and the rats look bigger than a pig out there. You want to take a look? I think the rats out there are lifting weights."

Wonder what he thinks of Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park.

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Big hurt in Atlanta

No, Frank Thomas is not headed to the Braves, there's just a ton of pain in Atlanta tonight. Mariners starter Erik Bedard left in the 4th with back spasms. Braves third baseman Chipper Jones left in the 8th with a strained right quadriceps. Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar left in the 9th with a strained right hip.

Not only did these players feel the pain, but Jones and Braves starter Jorge Campillo's statlines are also suffering. Jones went 0-2, dropping his batting average down to .390. I'm guessing he doesn't go back over .400 again this year. Campillo gave up three runs in the 7th as his ERA climbed from 2.17 to 2.54. He takes the loss, falling to 2-2.

Fantasy Impact: Jones said the injury was "pretty bad" in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The same article said Escobar doesn't know if he can play anymore in the series. Bedard is questionable for his next start. What a mess, especially for Seattle, which hasn't had any good news since acquiring Bedard in the offseason.

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Vlad's back on track

Vladimir Guerrero extended his hit streak to 11 games going 3-5 in a 7-1 Angles pasting of Philadelphia. Guerrero hit his 11th home run, and knocked in three. His average, which was down to .246 through the month of May, is now up to .285. That's Vlad's highest batting average of the season.

Fantasy Impact: The Angels' slugger has struggled like never before, but now he's just 15 points shy of .300. If he goes on one homer binge, Guerrero will be on pace for 30 once again. He's heating up.

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Sensantional Santana

Ervin Santana used to have tons of trouble on the road, but this year he's exorcising his demons to the tune of a 6-1 mark away from Anaheim. That his record now after an impressive performance in Philadelphia, where he limited the Phillies to just two hits in seven innings while striking out nine. Santana allowed no runs, dropping his ERA to 3.17 while picking up his 9th win.

Fantasy Impact: Santana is producing like an all-star for the first time in his career. Last year he was 6-4 with a 3.27 ERA at home but 1-10 with an 8.38 ERA on the road. Now that the road numbers are looking more like his home numbers, Santana is earning his place among baseball's elite right-handers.

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Wedge won't be next

With managers dropping like flies this week it had me wondering who is next on the chopping block. It's certainly not Cleveland's Eric Wedge, whom the Plain Dealer calls safe in a recent story.

With all the struggles the Tribe faced this year, I was beginning to think Wedge might be feeling some heat. Cleveland went 96-66 last season, but dropped the ALCS in seven games after taking a 3-1 lead on the Red Sox.

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