Thoughts on the regional....

[thekimmer]

Definitely an uphill battle to win a regional on the road. We did sweep three from UF who in turn swept three from the seminoles this year however, we did win all three at home against a slumping UF while FSU's last game vs the gaytors was early april.

One question is around pitching. We will have been off for 10 days and two of our SEC starters haven't pitched in two full weeks so this is a full reboot. Should we consider any changes in the starting rotation order? Small is statistically our best arm but pilk has been our #1 guy all year. FSU will very likely save their #1 guy for Sat. Also it is CRITICAL for us to start out the tourney with a win. I think I'd start Small on Friday and Pilk on Sat.

 

[MSUDC11]

Stick with what got you here. Pilk is good enough to beat Oklahoma. Henderson has already indicated that’s the plan anyway.

I’m more curious to see how we manage the bullpen. We really could use a 7 or 8 inning outing from either Pilk or Small.

 

[thekimmer]

I think our only hope is to win it in three....

Stick with what got you here. Pilk is good enough to beat Oklahoma. Henderson has already indicated that’s the plan anyway.

I’m more curious to see how we manage the bullpen. We really could use a 7 or 8 inning outing from either Pilk or Small.

I don't see us winning it if we have to go four much less five games. We just don't have enough pitching depth. I really hope we can score enough runs to allow us to extend our starters a bit.

 

[8dog]

It is only critical to start with two wins. Position yourself the best to win two. Not just the first.

 

[MSUDC11]

I don't see us winning it if we have to go four much less five games. We just don't have enough pitching depth. I really hope we can score enough runs to allow us to extend our starters a bit.

You’re not wrong, but I thought the exact same thing last year and we somehow made it out of Hattiesburg. And this team has slightly more depth than last year’s did.

 

[gymdawg.sixpack]

I see 2 things as a must if we're going to make any real noise this postseason: 1. We need pilk to be a #1 and give us more than 5 good innings a start. 2. We need Alexanders bat to come alive.
I think if everything else holds we'll be a hard out.

 

[philduckworth]

Gotta go Pilk and Self in Game 1. Then Small and France in Game 2. Those are our best 4 guys. If we can win the first 2, we have a great shot at winning the regional. If we lose either game, I think we are toast.

We had a 6 inning scrimmage on Saturday and Sunday to stay sharp, but I have no idea who pitched.

 

[thekimmer]

You’re not wrong, but I thought the exact same thing last year and we somehow made it out of Hattiesburg. And this team has slightly more depth than last year’s did.

True, that was a most satisfying tourney. What got us through there was no so much pitching but hitting scoring 7, 8, and 8 runs in the last three games. Although Billingsley did pitch the game of his career with a complete game 1 run affair vs USM then in the next contest we opened the pen, threw the kitchen sink at em and held on for dear life.

 

[Willow Grove Dawg]

For us to win a game 4 or 5, it will have to look like a slow pitch softball game

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

Ultimately we are playing against Oklahoma's best pitcher

and without looking, I'm sure they have one (they all do at this level)

We go to our strengths, and hope for the best.

JMO...

 

[Shamoan]

Last time we were in Tallahassee, we lost 2 games to Samford. 0-5 and 2-3 thanks to a bad throw by Sam Frost. We are going to need to hit and pitch above our heads. Games 1&2 are critical.

 

[MSUDC11]

Last time we were in Tallahassee, we lost 2 games to Samford. 0-5 and 2-3 thanks to a bad throw by Sam Frost. We are going to need to hit and pitch above our heads. Games 1&2 are critical.

We were a pitcher heavy team in a hitter’s ballpark in 2012. We couldn’t hit and our pitching wasn’t sharp enough that weekend to overcome it in that park. I think this team can hit the ball well enough to have more success in this park. The key is going to be how well we pitch.

 

[Shmuley]

Is it ok if my thoughts around this regional are focused pretty much exclusively on who the 17 our new coach is recruiting while the games are going on? #LetThisBeTheSabanHire

 

[Go Budaw]

You’re not wrong, but I thought the exact same thing last year and we somehow made it out of Hattiesburg. And this team has slightly more depth than last year’s did.

They really don’t have any more depth than last year. Small being back helps, but the pen is just as thin as ever.

Add:
Small
Neff
France
James

Subtract:
Price
Self (most of the year, anyway)
Plumlee
Barton
Barlow