Mizzou Links, 6-18-09

First things first: Max Scherzer beat Zach Greinke yesterday, or more accurately, the Diamondbacks' offense beat the Royals' offense.  Mad Max had won four of his last five decisions to get to 4-4 after a hard-luck start to the season.  Our SBN mate AZ Snakepit has more on the battle.

Scherzer's outing was full of baserunners and tight spots, but he managed to navigate all of the landmines with minimal explosions. After the first, it went something like this:

2nd: First and second, one out, no runs.
3rd: First and second, one out, no runs.
4th: Runner on second, two outs, no runs.
5th: Runner on third, one out, sac fly.
6th: First and second, two outs, no runs.

Twelve men on base in six innings, but still a quality start with just two runs charged to Mad Max. He struck out five and is now 4-1 in his last seven starts, after waiting so long to get his first big league win. He left nursing a slim 4-2 lead, but this time the offense made sure the bullpen couldn't blow an easy victory.

To basketball, where another one of our SBN mates, Blazers Edge, is talking about DeMarre Carroll.

This is another second-round pick who knows how to play. He's among the most efficient players in the draft. He's a great percentage shooter, he draws fouls, and he rebounds. He's got good height and played on a good team. He's a senior. He's got attitude and isn't afraid to go hard.

To football recruiting, where two PowerMizzou articles point out two kids who enjoy the thought of playing in black and gold: StL OL Anthony Gatti (a mean-looking guy) and Lumberton (TX) LB Anthony Beard.

Finally, since it's Bowling Green week...one of my favorite college football stat sites, Statistically Speaking, posted about the MAC yesterday, including the Falcons.

Last season Bowling Green was statistically the best team in the MAC East, and second best team in the league overall. However, they were snakebitten in close games, going 1-4 in games decided by one score. Those four close losses each occurred in conference play, including one to Buffalo, which caused them to finish tied for second in the division. After the disappoinment of not winning the division, the administration got rid of head coach Gregg Brandon, who was 44-30 in six seasons at Bowling Green with only a single losing season. ... [S]chools like Bowling Green should work hard to keep coaches like Gregg Brandon, not let them go. That being said, Bowling Green has some conflicting indicators going forward, I already mentoned their poor record in close games which saddled one of the league's better teams with a .500 record.