Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Jamie Moyer, Owner of Max Scherzer

Last week's column about Max Scherzer may have over-hyped him a bit, but how could anyone not be excited about his 13 up, 13 down debut? Monday night was his first start as a Major Leaguer and it did not go well. He was throwing hard, but it seemed like none of his offspeed pitches went for strikes, and the ones that did were base hits. His line was 4 innings, 5 runs (2 earned), 7 hits, 2 walks, 5 K's. A quick scouting report after watching him on tv: I love the fastball (who doesn't love 98-100 mph though?), and he seemed composed after giving up some runs. The worst part of his night was that he screwed around with Jamie Moyer and gave up two hits to the 40-something year old lefty. Jamie Moyer knows what 80 mph pitches look like...don't throw that to him! Also, it would help if Max didn't have a guy behind him with the last name "Drew," since that's never good. Stephen made a bad error on a grounder in the 3rd. To his credit, at least he was out there, J.D. would have been getting an MRI on his purse.

It's not certain that the D'Backs will keep Scherzer in the rotation, since Doug Davis is coming back soon from the DL (foightin' cancah!). Either way, he's got to stay up with the big club, since he's an equally useful weapon out of the pen.

On the Mizzou front, they are now 31-16 overall after winning two of three vs. K-State. Before that the Tigers dropped six out of seven (including five in a row). It's been real yucky to say the least for Mizzou as of late.

Up next is some mid-week action vs. Creighton (tonight) and extra Mo' State (Wed), followed by the weekend at Kansas.

I was going to end it there, but I wanted to see if the KU baseball team follows the lead of their hoops and football programs by playing weak non-conference schedules. Yes, yes they do - 5 game sets vs. both Hawaii-Hilo (huh?) and North Dakota State. Throw in a LeMoyne, Tabor, Benedictine, and St. Mary (I did not make any of those schools up) and the mighty Jayhawks are 29-22. What a bunch of clowns.

6 comments:

Big Head said...

For the Omaha readers- St. Mary's that kU played isn't the all women's school on 72nd that you can find hottie catholic girls at Qdoba...I think.

Hawaii-Hilo is a DII or III program that the Fightin' Big Head's (WIU) used to dominated while I was there. It's like playing an armless guy in wiffleball...money.

Hiphopopotamus said...

For the reader's who want to be fully informed...

Whereas Kansas' non-con schedule surely lacks, it's comforting to know that Methzou (touting this as a banner year in baseball) decided to schedule a non-con that consisted of exactly no one.

Here's the list for those interested:
Stetson (18-32)
Central Florida (28-21, 6-15 CUSA)
Cal-Poly
William Woods
Lincoln
Western Illinois (11-26)
Toledo (15-27)
South Dakota St (20-22)
Indiana St (13-29)
Methzouri St (31-14) WHOA!
Michigan St (21-23)
UCONN (23-27)
Minnesota (18-29)

Easy there, guys. Hard to believe Methzou hasn't sustained their early season success. And criticize Kansas' schedule all you want, but it does at least include the likes or Arkansas, Methzouri St, Vandy, and Wichita St. Oh yeah, and they beat Methzou on a neutral field.

Big Head said...

Missouri Valley Conference is pretty pathetic this year, which kills the Wichita State/Mizzou Lite arguement. They are just beating the hell out of everyone else, and it could be a one bid league for the first time in a long time.

Minnesota was a B10 power last year...you know...when the schedule is made.

Vandy and Arkansas are impressive, but outside of that, kU's got nothing.

That WIU loss is killing Mizzou right now along with the SIU loss that HMW got to see in person.

Hiphopopotamus said...

MVC may be bad, but if you're ruling out Methzou St, then that leaves your boys completely out of luck as they are the only team with a semi-legitimate season going.

WSU, on the other hand, is ranked 10th in the nation...http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/baseball/usatpoll.htm

And yes, Minnesota is typically a solid Big 11 team. I believe they even made a regional last year? But when I think about college baseball, my mind doesn't go straight to the Great Lakes.

Big Head said...

Mizzou will get in. Needs to win the B12 Tourney to secure a Super, which is still possible.

Mizzou Lite may only get in if Wichita State wins the Valley tourney over Mizzou Lite. MVC is sketchy. I figured three bids before the year began (WSU, MSU, Creighton), but bad season for the conference. Possibly a single bid league, and Kendall Rogers (Rivals baseball guru) is saying that too.

Actually, B10 and B12 only have 10 teams if I'm thinking right- no ISU or Colorado, and I think Wisky is minus a squad.

PS- You can never go wrong with a Shocker.

Sammy Vegas said...

hey, not to be a dick here, but i kind of think if Mizzou wins the Big12 tourney they still have no chance - actually zero percent- at a Super. Its either Nebraska or Texas A&M regardless.

trust me, i wouldnt want to see Mizzou with Crow pitching in any series, but let's be realistic. there is a better chance of Mangino skipping Denny's for the Bagel Factory tomorrow morning than there is of Missouri hosting a super regional.