Tonight's Target: Kelvim Escobar

Vitals: Kelvim Jose Escobar, 31 yo RHP. Born in La Guaira, Venezuela. 6-1, 230. 87-84, 4.20 career. 4-1, 2.21 in 2007. $9 million salary.

Arsenal: 92-97 mph fastball, hard slider, splitter and change.

Recent Battles: In two August starts against the M's last year, Escobar totaled 16 Ks. On the 17th, Escobar beat Jamie Moyer in Moyer's last start as a Mariner. On the 28th, Felix Hernandez (today's M's pitcher) beat Escobar 2-0.

Our Best Weapon: Ibanez is 9-26 with 2 HRs against Escobar.

The Internet Says: 202 major leaguers have, like Escobar and Felix Hernandez, been born in Venezuela. That's fourth-most among non-US locales, after the Dominican Republic (446), Puerto Rico (220) and Canada (210).

King Felix (2-1, 1.56) goes for the M's. He'll be on a 65-75 pitch limit. Game's at 7:05. It's on FSN

Kelvim Escobar [ESPN]
Escobar's 2006 game log [Baseball Reference]
Escobar vs. Mariner hitters [ESPN]
Players by place of birth [Baseball Reference]