Columbia, Mo. ? Ritch Price has a succinct observation about Missouri University’s pitching staff.

“It’s fabulous,” the Kansas University baseball coach said.

Indeed, the Tigers have posted the third-best earned-run average in the Big 12 Conference this spring — a glossy 2.82.

The ringleader of Mizzou’s mound resurgence has been Max Scherzer, and the Jayhawks will face the sophomore right-hander when the three-game Border Showdown series opens at 6:30 p.m. today at Taylor Stadium.

Scherzer leads the Big 12 in ERA (1.32) and strikeouts (107) while posting a 7-2 record. He’s from the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield.

Price will counter with sophomore left-hander Sean Land who, coincidentally, is a cousin of Scherzer. Land, who hails from the Kansas City suburb of Greenwood, Mo., has been off-and-on this season.

Against No. 2-ranked Texas on Friday night, Land was on. In a five-inning stint, the 6-foot-5 southpaw held the Longhorns to three hits while striking out nine.

“He has tremendous ability,” Price said of Land. “He has trouble with command sometimes. He’s still going through the developmental stage.”

Curiously, MU’s Scherzer also struggled with command as a freshman.

Game notes: KU vs. MU

“He didn’t pitch much at all last year because he had trouble throwing strikes,” Price said.

Kansas (33-23 overall, 8-12 in the Big 12) will be trying to bounce back from Wednesday night’s embarrassing 15-6 loss at Southwest Missouri State. The Jayhawks trailed 10-1 after three innings. Freshman starter Tyson Corley had to be hooked in the second inning after surrendering six earned runs, and reliever Clint Schambach was roughed up for three runs in just an inning of work.

“We needed a quality pitching performance, and we didn’t get it,” Price said, conceding his players were flat after taking two of three from Texas last weekend.

“One good thing,” he said, “is hopefully they got the hangover from the Texas series out of their mouths.”

Price is concerned about center fielder Matt Baty, who strained a knee while making a spectacular catch Sunday against Texas.

Baty, a junior from Maize who leads the Big 12 in stolen bases with 33, started Wednesday night against SMS, but Price took him out after six innings. Baty is expected to play against the Tigers, but probably won’t be at full speed.

Price will use left-hander Mike Zagurski on the mound in a 2 p.m. game Saturday and right-hander Kodiak Quick in a 1 p.m. contest Sunday.

Missouri is 32-16 overall and 12-9 the league. Mizzou seems certain to finish in the top eight in conference standings and earn a postseason tourney bid, but Kansas has to finish strong to avoid elimination.

“It’s a huge weekend for us,” Price said. “We’ve got to find a way to get things done, so there won’t be a lot of pressure on us next weekend.”

Kansas will close the regular season next weekend against Oklahoma State at Hoglund Ballpark.