State of Carolina’s Starting Pitchers Entering Chapel Hill Regional

TarHeelColby10

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First and foremost, if Jason does indeed start Friday we NEED him to be in the zone consistently in the early innings. His FB plays off of the curveball and Change up to LHH. If he can stay out of 3-2 2-2 counts through the middle innings that’s usually a sign that he’ll get to at least the 6th, we need him to get through the 7th to really set us up for success Saturday. It has seemed that Ryan has a little gamer in him. He’s pitched really well in all the big games he’s started. Ryan has ++ stuff when he has the fastball in the lower half. Ryan + Caden + Walker in the 1-0 game is paramount for us to win this regional.
 

unctar2001

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First and foremost, if Jason does indeed start Friday we NEED him to be in the zone consistently in the early innings. His FB plays off of the curveball and Change up to LHH. If he can stay out of 3-2 2-2 counts through the middle innings that’s usually a sign that he’ll get to at least the 6th, we need him to get through the 7th to really set us up for success Saturday. It has seemed that Ryan has a little gamer in him. He’s pitched really well in all the big games he’s started. Ryan has ++ stuff when he has the fastball in the lower half. Ryan + Caden + Walker in the 1-0 game is paramount for us to win this regional.
I “feel” like the little swoon here is more of a blip than a season trend. You’re exactly right in what you say. It’s amazing how it works in postseason with the streaky nature of both offenses and pitching. Hope we’re on the right side of the curve this year to get to Omaha.

We’re better than these teams. Just have to execute and play clean
 

premn

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You need your best players to play well to win. Luckily the moment should not be too big for either Jason or Ryan, but you still gotta do it
 
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1stGenerationHeel

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Question on the comment from the GT players about Boaz. Are the Carolina coaches able to pick up on what the hitters doing, so that they can send a message into Boaz and the catcher to potentially adjust the location of the pitches?

In 2.2 innings I find it hard to believe the GT hitters were able to force Boaz that much...
 
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FreddyB01

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Sep 3, 2025
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Fair to say these guys are likely to need some good run support for the team to be successful in the post season. Glauber and Rose gotta be ready and effective behind the “ big 3”.
I would say that it’s more like the big two for starters unless you want to replace Boaz with Glauber. Boaz hasn’t gotten passed the 2nd inning in the last 3 games he’s started.
 

GraceNugent

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Question on the comment from the GT players about Boaz. Are the Carolina coaches able to pick up on what the hitters doing, so that they can send a message into Boaz and the catcher to potentially adjust the location of the pitches?

In 2.2 innings I find it hard to believe the GT hitters were able to force Boaz that much...
Here is the full GT answers. I asked them: "You're a lineup that hunts pitchers' mistakes and forced out the UNC starter early, what did you take from your last outing abasing him into this one?"

Vahn Lackey: "Yeah, I mean, off the jump, we had a big adjustment, I guess, as a group last time we faced this Sunday guy, he was just living away, away, away, and basically just basically not giving us any pitches in the heart, and that was kind of, and Ramsey's big thing was kind of like making a new heart heart of the place, so we kind of scooted up on the box, I'm gonna scoot up on the plate a little bit, and then he started going in more, and it just made him more uncomfortable, and I just feel like that's that's what allowed us to put on runs early."

Drew Burress: "Yeah, I mean, I would double down on that. I mean, obviously those dudes have a really good pitching staff, and they've had a philosophy that worked for him for the most part of the year, and I mean, they do a really good job at throwing fastballs away, and then throwing sliders off of that, and I think with some of us kind of getting on the plate today, it definitely, it definitely made some of those guys a little bit more uncomfortable trying to kind of force the ball in, it didn't, couldn't really get it there a lot of times, and then, and then their, their typical pitches that are, they're really good, like on the black away, we're good to hit for us. I mean, I think I mean on all fronts, I mean, they hung a couple of off-speed pitches that we did damage on, but I mean we hit a lot of fastballs really hard today. They were good pitches. I think it was a pretty good plan, looking back on it"

Ryan Zuckerman: "I mean, Ramer [James Ramsey] got us right, and we kind of just went out there and stuck to the plan, you know, one through nine, we competed, and that's what we've done all season. We're continuing to do that."
 

TommyAshley

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Here is the full GT answers. I asked them: "You're a lineup that hunts pitchers' mistakes and forced out the UNC starter early, what did you take from your last outing abasing him into this one?"

Vahn Lackey: "Yeah, I mean, off the jump, we had a big adjustment, I guess, as a group last time we faced this Sunday guy, he was just living away, away, away, and basically just basically not giving us any pitches in the heart, and that was kind of, and Ramsey's big thing was kind of like making a new heart heart of the place, so we kind of scooted up on the box, I'm gonna scoot up on the plate a little bit, and then he started going in more, and it just made him more uncomfortable, and I just feel like that's that's what allowed us to put on runs early."

Drew Burress: "Yeah, I mean, I would double down on that. I mean, obviously those dudes have a really good pitching staff, and they've had a philosophy that worked for him for the most part of the year, and I mean, they do a really good job at throwing fastballs away, and then throwing sliders off of that, and I think with some of us kind of getting on the plate today, it definitely, it definitely made some of those guys a little bit more uncomfortable trying to kind of force the ball in, it didn't, couldn't really get it there a lot of times, and then, and then their, their typical pitches that are, they're really good, like on the black away, we're good to hit for us. I mean, I think I mean on all fronts, I mean, they hung a couple of off-speed pitches that we did damage on, but I mean we hit a lot of fastballs really hard today. They were good pitches. I think it was a pretty good plan, looking back on it"

Ryan Zuckerman: "I mean, Ramer [James Ramsey] got us right, and we kind of just went out there and stuck to the plan, you know, one through nine, we competed, and that's what we've done all season. We're continuing to do that."
Great question

Lackey- Great answer
Buttress- Good answer
Zuck - Coach speak down pat

😂
 

Zwikkerscores

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Jul 19, 2025
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I feel like all three are in something of a negative trend to end the season. Really the only pitcher that I feel really confident about is Glauber, then McDuffey.

2 weeks ago I thought we were a shoe-in for Omaha. Now I'm not so sure
 
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unc80

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Starting pitching was thought to be our strength entering the season. Now it seems to be the most shaky part of the team at the worst time. The offense has come around nicely and I darn sure don't worry about the defense. But we have to get a lot more out of our starters or things could get rough real soon.
 
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Heelium1

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First and foremost, if Jason does indeed start Friday we NEED him to be in the zone consistently in the early innings. His FB plays off of the curveball and Change up to LHH. If he can stay out of 3-2 2-2 counts through the middle innings that’s usually a sign that he’ll get to at least the 6th, we need him to get through the 7th to really set us up for success Saturday. It has seemed that Ryan has a little gamer in him. He’s pitched really well in all the big games he’s started. Ryan has ++ stuff when he has the fastball in the lower half. Ryan + Caden + Walker in the 1-0 game is paramount for us to win this regional.
Obviously, we could win "the 1-0 game" in a different way, but the way you foresee is much to be preferred. Here's to Jason going nine in Game 1.
 
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TarHeelColby10

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Obviously, we could win "the 1-0 game" in a different way, but the way you foresee is much to be preferred. Here's to Jason going nine in Game 1.
Oh absolutely, we’ve won games in basically every way imaginable this year. Would let hurt my feelings at all if we just come out and pepper the baseball off the wall all night and win 15-5 lol
 

MayetheForce

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Just a reminder that the last time we played this team we run ruled them (13-3) and Jackson Rose officially broke onto the scene

Really hope we can save DeCaro and Lynch for the later games and roll with something like this:
 

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premn

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Just a reminder that the last time we played this team we run ruled them (13-3) and Jackson Rose officially broke onto the scene

Really hope we can save DeCaro and Lynch for the later games and roll with something like this:
We aren’t going to be having their midweek arms this time, unfortunately
 
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GoHeels834

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ECU has seen decaro once already, and I’d have to be convinced he’s a better matchup vs TN who swing and miss a lot. If Gaines and Lynch can keep them off balance he could rack up a lot of Ks.
I think Lynch would do well against ECU. Hopefully we can jump on VCU quickly so we can pull DeCaro early. I think we have to have one of DeCaro or Lynch start game 3.
 

TarHeelColby10

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I think Lynch would do well against ECU. Hopefully we can jump on VCU quickly so we can pull DeCaro early. I think we have to have one of DeCaro or Lynch start game 3.
I don’t see a scenario where we pull Decaro early because we’re up. If anything, if we’re up he’s going to stay in even longer as long as the PC is good. We need length from him.
 

GoHeels834

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You win game 1. You pitch DeCaro. Also, you could come back to him Monday if needed

Rose should start over Boaz
I get you got to win Game 1 but we run ruled this team throwing Rose and Flannery. I personally would start Rose or even Boaz and if it doesn’t look good immediately go to Glauber to shut it down until we get a big lead. If we can’t beat VCU who lost 23 games without using our 1 or 2 starter then we don’t deserve to be there. It’s this time of year where you see a lot of teams take calculated risk with the pitching. I just think this would be the obvious time to save pitching.
 

TarHeelColby10

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I get you got to win Game 1 but we run ruled this team throwing Rose and Flannery. I personally would start Rose or even Boaz and if it doesn’t look good immediately go to Glauber to shut it down until we get a big lead. If we can’t beat VCU who lost 23 games without using our 1 or 2 starter then we don’t deserve to be there. It’s this time of year where you see a lot of teams take calculated risk with the pitching. I just think this would be the obvious time to save pitching.
You want to “save” pitching but use Glauber in game 1 if what you’re wanting to do doesn’t work? lol
 

GoHeels834

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You want to “save” pitching but use Glauber in game 1 if what you’re wanting to do doesn’t work? lol
Would you rather throw Glauber a good amount Game 1 when he is proven to come back on short rest and throw DeCaro or Lynch Game 3 or Throw Boaz and get crapped on Game 3 when Glauber will still probably be avaliable anyways?
 

heelforlife15

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My plan would be to start either Lynch/Decaro Friday and try to get good length out them. Can’t pull them for just a little adversity. Get 6 or 7. Hopefully you have a good lead at that point and can finish with Rose, Mathias, Padgett, Chewy.

Saturday start the other of Lynch/Decaro and go to McDuffie/Glauber after.

Sunday start whichever hasn’t pitched between Glauber and duff.

That’s a perfect world and 90% sure it won’t work out that way but that would be my plan going in.
 

GoHeels834

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I can agree with several strategies on this topic, but if we are in the same shape as we were in Sunday, I don't like our chances.
100% Sunday has to be DeCaro or Lynch. I took it as a sign when they didn't use DeCaro anymore in the ACC Championship after only throwing 55 pitches two days prior that they don't feel very comfortable using him on short rest. I get they might be saving him for regionals but with an ACC Championship on the line he should have been avaliable.
 

TarHeelColby10

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Would you rather throw Glauber a good amount Game 1 when he is proven to come back on short rest and throw DeCaro or Lynch Game 3 or Throw Boaz and get crapped on Game 3 when Glauber will still probably be avaliable anyways?
You’re putting the cart before the horse. Fridays is ALL about getting length from the starter. Whoever that is, I’m guessing it will be Decaro. The most important thing is starting 1-0 and having the 1-2 punch in the pen ready to go in the 1-0 game. Caden and Walker are the most two important players in the whole regional. If we want to win it, we can’t count on either of them on Friday. Assuming we win Friday, the most important game of a regional is the 1-0 game. If we have Lynch, Glauber, and Walker fresh for that there’s a really good chance we win it. The last 2 years we’ve gone to game 7 after losing the 2-0 game, if we do have to get there that’s when whoever starts Friday would come back and throw.
 
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GoHeels834

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You’re putting the cart before the horse. Fridays is ALL about getting length from the starter. Whoever that is, I’m guessing it will be Decaro. The most important thing is starting 1-0 and having the 1-2 punch in the pen ready to go in the 2-0 game. Caden and Walker are the most two important players in the whole regional. If we want to win it, we can’t count on either of them on Friday. Assuming we win Friday, the most important game of a regional is the 1-0 game. If we have Lynch, Glauber, and Walker fresh for that there’s a really good chance we win it. The last 2 years we’ve gone to game 7 after losing the 2-0 game, if we do have to get there that’s when whoever starts Friday would come back and throw.
I just think burning DeCaro in Game 1 is going to set us up for some problems later in the regional. We run ruled VCU with Rose and Flannery earlier in the season. I just don't get burning your ace when we should handle them easily with secondary arms. The 2 and 3 seed are not throwing their ace due to them playing us in Game 2. I think best case would be if DeCaro starts and we get up by 6 or more runs early you pull him. We will have to be strategic on getting some innings from people other than DeCaro, Lynch, Glauber and McDuffie. Friday should be that perfect opportunity.
 

TarHeelColby10

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I just think burning DeCaro in Game 1 is going to set us up for some problems later in the regional. We run ruled VCU with Rose and Flannery earlier in the season. I just don't get burning your ace when we should handle them easily with secondary arms. The 2 and 3 seed are not throwing their ace due to them playing us in Game 2. I think best case would be if DeCaro starts and we get up by 6 or more runs early you pull him. We will have to be strategic on getting some innings from people other than DeCaro, Lynch, Glauber and McDuffie. Friday should be that perfect opportunity.
We beat 13-3 in the midweek against their midweek arms. They have a starter who is very capable. It’s not February. VCU is probably the best 4 seed in the tournament, we’re not going to take a huge chance like your alluding to, to make the odds worse for us to lose that game. It happens every year, look at Ole Miss last year..
 
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premn

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I just think burning DeCaro in Game 1 is going to set us up for some problems later in the regional. We run ruled VCU with Rose and Flannery earlier in the season. I just don't get burning your ace when we should handle them easily with secondary arms. The 2 and 3 seed are not throwing their ace due to them playing us in Game 2. I think best case would be if DeCaro starts and we get up by 6 or more runs early you pull him. We will have to be strategic on getting some innings from people other than DeCaro, Lynch, Glauber and McDuffie. Friday should be that perfect opportunity.
You can also make the argument that both ECU and Tenn’s coaches think who they’re starting Friday is a better matchup Friday than against us. Blanco gives up HRs and ECU doesn’t hit them. Norby is on short rest and they have used him in long relief as needed. None of this stuff is happening in a vacuum.