Tonight's Target: Joe Blanton

Arsenal: High 80s fastball, slow curve, unremarkable slider. Relies on location to get guys out.

Recent Battles: Waterloo-esque. Blanton started four games against the M's last year, and beat them all four times. Twice he held the M's scoreless for 8 innings. The rest of the league had no trouble, he was 12-12 with a 5.38 ERA in starts not against Seattle.

Our Best Weapon: Patience. Blanton threw less than 100 pitches (3.5 per ab) in his dominating first three starts against the M's, going at least seven innings each time. But the final time the M's faced Blanton, they got 10 hits in 6 innings, and saw 109 pitches (3.9 per ab). Blanton still won, though.

The Internet Says: Another Joe Blanton from Nashville (a relation? The Internet is no guide) was lead singer of the 80s hard rock group Royal Court of China, best known for their 1988 album "Geared and Primed."

Joe Blanton [ESPN]
Joe Blanton Batter/Pitcher vs. Mariners [ESPN]
Royal Court of China [myspace]