Fausto Carmona, a native of the DR, came into the majors in ‘06 as a starter, after three underwhelming starts the Indians put him in the bullpen. There, he seemed to have found his happy place, posting an 0.95 ERA in a month’s worth of appearances. The Indians like him so much they promoted him to closer after trading Bob Wickman–big mistake. Carmona apparently didn’t have that “closer’s mentality” and absolutely folded. His first appearance was against the M’s, he allowed four runs in the ninth inning of a tie game.
Carmona’s year didn’t get better from there–he finished 1-10. But last year–ah, last year–he revivified as a starter, finishing 19-8 and 4th in Cy Young voting. But his big moment was in last year’s ALDS against the Yankees, in the “bug game.” Carmona didn’t get a decision in that game, but he did throw nine innings and allow just one run. And he struck out A-Rod three times

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:) :). The Indians won the game in extras, putting the Yanks in an 0-2 hole.

Fausto? It’s a relatively uncommon in Italian and Spanish–it means “lucky.”

Hometown of (non-US) Heroes: Other ballplayers from Santo Domingo, the largest city in DR and Carmona’s hometown: Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz. It’s also the place where the U.S. National basketball team stumbled to an embarrassing 4th-place finish in the 2003 Pan-Am Games.

What Carmona Throws: A sinker. A nasty, nasty sinker. Here’s what Torii Hunter said about it early last year: “I can’t wait until we face normal pitchers. This guy’s sinker is practically unhittable.” Against righties he’ll throw a slider, and a change against lefties. But, primarily, the sinker. Ask A-Rod about it.

What the M’s Can Do: Whatever they did in June ‘06. The M’s have faced Carmona only one other time, the first game of that doubleheader last September. Two M’s homered off him in that game, but neither are with the ‘08 team: Guillen (Kansas City) and Balentien (Tacoma).

Why Hate Carmona? Jealousy–both of him and of a franchise with a wise GM. Carmona got paid earlier this year, signing an extension with the Indians that locks him up through 2014 if the Indians exercise all three options on the contract. Carmona will make “only” $500K this year, but gets a $750K signing bonus, and his salary will escalate to $2.75 million in 2009, $4.9 million in 2010 and $6.1 million in 2011. Why haven’t the M’s done this with Felix Hernandez yet?

M’s (Silva) vs. Indians, 4:05 pm.