Today's Target

We're going to fiddle around with a few ways of covering the Mariners this year, starting with this: "Today's Target." Meaning the starting pitcher the M's are facing. Nothing affects a team's performance more than what the opposing pitcher gets up to, so we'll give you a couple of things to know in case you catch the game.

Target: Dan Haren, righty.

Arsenal: mid-90s fastball, hard slider, nasty, nasty split-finger.

Recent Battles: Not good--Haren was 3-0, 1.35 vs. the M's last year. He struck out 19 M's in 20 innings.

Our Best Weapon: Beltre--9 for 23 lifetime with a home run. The home run came last year, in August, Beltre turned on a fastball on the inside half of the plate.

The Internet Says: Haren married the former Jessica Valdez in November. According to their registry, they still need a 3x3 PB Pewter Candle, Ivory. $5.

Dan Haren [ESPN]
Dan Haren Batter/Pitcher vs. Mariners [ESPN]
Dan Haren's blog [MLB]
Dan Haren and Jessica Valdez wedding registry [Pottery Barn]