Today's Target: LHP Cliff Lee (4-0, 0.28)

Leemarkable Start: Since 1963, only three pitchers have started a season like this. And it's a pretty good sign. By "like this" I mean four starts, four wins, with just a single earned run allowed total. And by "pretty good sign" I mean that the players who've done it are Pedro Martinez (in 1997), Roger Clemens (in 1991), and Fernando Valenzuela (in 1981). All three went on to win the Cy Young Award that year.

Wal-Mart Sucks: Lee's hometown is Benton, Arkansas, not to be confused with Bentonville, which is 150 miles northeast, and which is the corporate HQ of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Benton's largest employer is...have you guessed? Yes, it's the local Wal-Mart. Jobs aren't quite as good as the ones in Bentonville, but you get a discount on zubaz pants.

So can we forget about '07 now? Last year, Lee got bounced back to AAA after a) pissing off his teammates by beaning Sammy Sosa on the night Sosa was honored for hitting 600 homers, and b) after allowing seven runs in four innings at the Jake, sarcastically doffing his cap to booing fans. They won't be booing tomorrow (actually, let's hope they will!).

What Lee Throws: Mostly, a fastball. Writes the Cleveland Plain Dealer of Lee's recent success: "The fastball has been Lee's money pitch this season. He has been able to command it pretty much wherever he wants. When he does miss, the opposition has been popping it up." Lee's fastball is nothing inspiring--90mph. He also throws a 75mph curve and a 85mph slider.

What the M's Can Do: Be better than Oakland, Minnesota, and Kansas City--those are the three teams who Lee's faced this year, none of whom have much in the way of talented hitters. The fact that the M's are hitting .314 against lefties this year ought to help.

M's (Washburn) vs. Indians, 4:05 pm.