Today's Target: Paul Byrd, Righty

Vitals: 36 years old, born in Louisville, signed as a free agent by the Indians in '05. 82-73 career record. $7 million salary.

Arsenal: A below average (84-89mph) fastball. To lefties, he'll work up and away with the fastball, a 12/3 looping curveball and a change. To righties, he'll work low and away with the fastball and a slider.

Recent Battles: Triumphant! The M's knocked Byrd around in his one start against them last year, scoring six runs in Byrd's 3 2/3 innings.

Our Best Weapon: Lefties. They hammer Byrd, and Raul Ibanez is no exception. He's 15-31 lifetime vs. Byrd. Righty Richie Sexson, by contrast, is 4-29 career vs. Byrd, so this might be a good afternoon for a spot start by lefty-hitting Ben Broussard (4-12 career vs. Byrd).

The Internet Says: Byrd is big into God. Or, to hear him tell it, God is big into him. Says Byrd: "Scripturally, I always knew God was right there with me. He was inside me so I couldn’t get any closer to Him."

Paul Byrd [MLB]
Mariners vs. Indians, April 12, 2006 [Baseball Reference]
Paul Byrd vs. Mariners hitters [ESPN]
Men of God: Paul Byrd [Prodigal Son Magazine]

Today's game is in Cleveland, at 1:05. M's starter is Horacio Ramirez. No TV.