Mizzou Baseball in the Minors & Majors

■ Indians 8, Royals 7 (espn.com)

Acta was not overjoyed that veteran Doug Mathis, a non-roster invitee, walked four in two scoreless innings.

"When (relievers) come in, the game is usually on the line and whether (walks) come around or not, you can't pitch like that," Acta said.

Mathis is battling four other right-handers for three bullpen spots. Justin Germano, Frank Herrmann and rookie Vinnie Pestano appear leading the race. Jess Todd has a 1.35 ERA and is in the mix with less than a week to go.

■ Max Scherzer: Why the young Detroit Tigers hurler will become a 2011 All-Star (bleacherreport.com)

He's also extremely intelligent (a 35 on his ACT?!? He should have pitched for Harvard, not Missouri) and uses statistical analysis to his advantage.

Based on the theory that he can't control the percentage of fly balls that are hit for home runs, he started attacking the bottom of the strike zone to limit the number of fly balls that are hit off of him.

His starts this spring have shown he's inducing more ground balls and this statistical approach shows he's a smart pitcher who's always trying to improve himself.

■ Rangers get three on most popular jersey list (nbcdfw.net)

At No. 7 was AL MVP Josh Hamilton while 2B Ian Kinsler made the list at No. 17.

Topping the list is, not surprisingly, Derek Jeter. Former Rangers Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, both now with the Yankees, also made the list.