Missouri Tigers - 28-21 Overall, 14-10 SEC
Rank: #21
RPI: #57
ISR: #66
Well, it's the final home series of the year for the Tigers, and we get to take on the surprise of the SEC this year: the Missouri Tigers. Mizzou comes in to Alex Box ranked #21 in the nation and honestly nobody saw that happening this year. A team that went 20-33 last year has made a huge turn around and is a shoe in for the field of 64 this year.
They've also has some impressive results on the year. Mizzou owns a series win against Florida and smacked around Ole Miss last weekend. In the second game of the Ole Miss series, Mizzou scored 18 runs and allowed the Rebels only one run. The only series they've lost in the SEC East is a sweep at the hands of Vanderbilt, so these guys are pretty good.
The Bats
Stat Category |
Num |
SEC Rank |
Batting Average |
0.262 |
13 |
On Base % |
0.339 |
14 |
Slugging % |
0.393 |
7 |
Runs Scored |
242 |
13 |
Walks |
162 |
13 |
Strikeouts |
350 |
5 |
Home Runs |
36 |
6 |
Doubles |
74 |
10 |
Triples |
13 |
T-9 |
Steals/Attempts |
61-86 |
T-3 |
Well, they aren't much of a hitting team. They don't hit very well and they struggle to get on base, whether it is from hits or walks. Mizzou is not a patient group at the plate. They rank in the top half for strikeouts and the bottom half for walks drawn. But it's clear what they do when they manage to get a base, and that's run like crazy and put pressure on the defense. The only teams that steal more than Mizzou are Vandy and LSU, so expect to see similar styles on the base paths this series. Mizzou does have some pop in their bats, so they have the capability of making the LSU pitchers pay for mistakes.
The Arms
Stat Category |
Num |
SEC Rank |
ERA |
3.43 |
6 |
Opponent BA |
0.243 |
5 |
Innings Pitched |
433 |
8 |
Runs Allowed |
193 |
6 |
Home Runs |
34 |
11 |
Strikeouts |
388 |
6 |
Walks |
126 |
2 |
Wild Pitches |
36 |
8 |
Saves |
12 |
6 |
They have a very solid pitching staff. Mizzou doesn't blow you away with these numbers, but they do everything well enough that you might not put up a ton of runs against them. The only teams to really rip into this staff were Vandy and A&M, so LSU could do the same to them.
Keys to the Weekend
Limit Free Bases: Any time LSU loses this season, a common thread is batters walked. Walks have really hurt in some games. Mizzou is not a patient bunch at the plate, so limiting free bases and letting them swing will limit their opportunities to score a lot. Our pitchers just need to be on target.
Have Fun: This is the last regular season series for a lot of guys on the team. Bregman, Stevenson, Scivicque, Foster, Hale, Person, and Sciambra are all gone next year. Chinea and Laird could be gone as well depending on the draft. We need to enjoy these guys in the Box while we still can.
Horrible Prediction
LSU takes two of three. A sweep is a good possibility if the bats are really on fire this weekend.