Horns Head to Columbia for Critical Series
by 40AS on Apr 10, 2008 6:43 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Baseball
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PrintTexas heads to Columbia this weekend for a huge series with #8 Missouri. The Tigers (23-8, 5-4) feature the best starting pitching staff that Texas will probably see all season. Aaron Crow and Ian Berger have the #1 and #2 ERAs in the Big XII and Sunday starter Kyle Gibson is #10.
Mizzou is, however, a middle of the road offensive team, evidenced by their 25 runs in the last 6 conference games. The Tigers have scored 3 or fewer runs 8 times this season (compared to 4 times for the Horns), but the pitching has been so good that they are 5-3 in those games. Getting ahead early Friday and Saturday could be the difference between a winning series and one that we won't enjoy quite so much.
Of critical importance, Augie has decided to switch up the Horns pitching rotation. Freshmen sensations Brandon Workman and Chance Ruffin will get the biggest starts of their young careers. Ruffin pitched 6 scoreless innings last week (3 on Saturday, 3 on Tuesday), giving up just 1 hit and 1 walk. Brandon Workman was fantastic on Sunday, giving up 1 run on 2 hits over 6.1 innings. If these two can become the weekend starters we think they can, Texas immediately becomes a threat for Omaha again.
The other issue is the defense. Every time we think it's getting better, BANG, a 5 error game. Travis Tucker has been back at third and Michael Torres at second, but if Texas can't even get mediocre defense from these two then Augie will be hard pressed no to sit them.
Texas probably won't sweep this weekend. A series win though, especially one that features a win on Friday, would be a very good thing for the Horns. Taking two of three would put Texas at 9-6 with sweepable series versus Oklahoma State, Baylor and Kansas State coming up, and could lead to much bigger things.
To sum up: big weekend ahead.
PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
April 11, 2008 -- 6:30 PM
Texas: LHP Austin Wood (2-2, 4.46 ERA)
Missouri: RHP Aaron Crow (7-0, 0.69 ERA)
April 12, 2008 -- 2:00 PM
Texas: RHP Brandon Workman (4-1, 3.16 ERA)
Missouri: RHP Ian Berger (3-1, 0.81 ERA)
April 13, 2008 -- 1:00 PM
Texas: RHP Chance Ruffin (3-2, 1.73 ERA)
Missouri: RHP Kyle Gibson (5-0, 2.84 ERA)
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Torres and Tucker
Torres certainly has had some poor defensive showings, but I would hate to see his hot bat out of the line up. Unless I'm mistaken, he is approaching a 20 game hit streak, and has also shown that he can hit for power with 3 home runs on the year.
However, I would not be as hesitant to see Augie sit Travis Tucker if he struggles defensively. There are several options at third base aside from Tucker: freshman Tant Shepherd has shown good pop in his bat in his sparing action this year (though he struggled mightily at the hot corner in the Rice game with 3 errors); also, as 40AS has lobbied, Preston Clark may be an answer at third. Filling in the hole at catcher wouldn't be a problem as Cameron Rupp appears to have all the tools necessary, so it will be interesting to see if Preston gets any more time at third down the stretch.
This will be an intriguing last month as the Horns try to shore up their defensive woes, and solidify their starting rotation. Hopefully they'll start this stretch run with series win in Columbia.
Hook 'Em!!!
Agreed
Torres is on a 20 game streak, is the team's best bunter next to Hernandez, and does all the little things at the plate. But he's fielding percentage is .911! From second base that's atrocious.
I'm of the belief that Tucker may be our best bet at third. He really is servicable there in my opinion. The only real problem with moving Preston to third is losing his leadership behind the plate, which does wonders for the young pitchers. The problem with Preston in the outfield is it takes that spot from Keyes/Moldenhauer.
As we've been saying all year, much more than in previous years, this regular season is all about finding which pieces go in which holes. It's kind of fun, and this weekend could go a long way toward solving many of the holes (particularly the starting pitching).
Yes... hands sort of tied, but in a good way
I suppose it's a nice "problem" to have: lots of feasible options at multiple positions.
There's no doubt that Torres' defense needs to be bumped up a notch if this team is to be a contender for Omaha. Opposing teams have been given WAY too many runs this season via Texas' defensive lapses.
by Sweed4Heisman on Apr 10, 2008 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Other half of 40AS here...
"During class" is no excuse; you said "Colombia" last time you wrote about Mizzou, too!
Caught!
Side note: does calling myself the "other half" of 40AS sound weird to anyone else?
Holy shnikies!
5-0 after 1 complete!
We just scored more runs (all earned) on Crow in one inning than he's given up all season!
Russel's slump is over!
3 run HR w/ 2 out off of the best pitcher, like, ever.
Rupp strikes out and we're ahead 8-0 after 1.5.
Hope you're right
when you said getting out ahead early would be important. Kyle Russell just hit a 3 run homer to put the Horns up 8 - 0 in the top of the 2nd!
by Longhorn in Canada on Apr 11, 2008 7:16 PM CDT reply actions
Just gametracker
Any source of online radio? Don't think any local stations in Victoria, (BC, not Texas) would be carrying this game.
by Longhorn in Canada on Apr 11, 2008 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Not the DH, sorry.
first HR by RF Priday, second by LF Senne.
AND AGAIN!
1B Gray homers. Are you kidding me? Their DH just flied out between Senne and Gray's homers, but who wants to bet that it wasn't a warning track catch?
Finally inning's over
3 solo homers in one inning? Stranger things have happened, but that bothers me.
This is getting
too close for comfort. I don't need this much excitement. 8-0 would have been a fine final score for me.
When Missouri started scoring, I thought about saying that at least the runs weren't the result of errors. Then I thought better of it, not wanting to jinx the Horns. Apparently, even thinking that was enough to jinx them. Oh, well.
by Longhorn in Canada on Apr 11, 2008 8:02 PM CDT reply actions
Sweet Jesus...
10-9 Mizzou.
If I hadn't just given myself a buzz cut I'd tear my hair out.
Green came in for Wood...
... Then stunk it up for a few runs before Thomas got the call.
Does anyone want to win this game?
THERE it is!
I was wondering when the error bug would bite.
Error by LF Kevin Keyes allows three runs with the bases loaded. Weee 13-9 merry go round!
Make it 14-9, and counting...
...Kyle Walker on to pitch for Thomas with nobody out in the bottom of the 4th.
by Sweed4Heisman on Apr 11, 2008 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Aren't they supposed to be an average O?
What does this say about our pitching?
Are relievers supposed to...
... walk the first batter they face? Because our always do.
Middle of the road offensive team?
Just went back and looked at the original analysis. 25 runs in 6 games? Hell, after 3 innings they're on pace to score 39 runs in this game alone!
by Longhorn in Canada on Apr 11, 2008 8:36 PM CDT reply actions
Sorry
They obviously would only get 8 innings to bat, not 9.
by Longhorn in Canada on Apr 11, 2008 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions
They may only need 4...
19-9 Mizzou after 4. What's the record for runs that we set this season?
6 Mizzou HRs in 4 innings...
... 3 by Jacob Priday. Wow.
I cannot tell you...
...how hard the wind has been blowing tonight here in Columbia, and to dead right/right-center...this has been an insane game to follow...
Apparently pretty hard...
...with 9 total HRs as evidence, 7 by Mizzou. 31, yes 31, to 12 as they enter the top of the 9th (mercifully).
by Sweed4Heisman on Apr 11, 2008 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Horns win series finale 9-2
2 more homers for Kyle Russell. Michael Torres extended his hit streak to 22 games. Chance Ruffin goes 5.1 innings with 2 ER and Cole Green picked up the save.
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