College Baseball is coming up on its second weekend! Here are the series that you need to keep an eye on.
The key matchup of the week is #12 Florida at #8 Miami. Florida entered the season with high expectations for their pitching, even after the staff experienced growing pains a season ago. The Gators took care of business against an outclassed Marshall team last week and will look to continue their recent dominance over Miami.
The Hurricanes also swept their first weekend foe, Rutgers. The biggest early season news for the Canes is the loss of SS Freddy Zamora who is out for the season with an ACL injury. Miami should have enough offensive power to fill his place in the lineup, but the Canes will be tested against the Gator pitching staff
John's (@johnny_omaha_) Prediction: Miami wins two out of three
Kyle’s (@kylemckelv) Prediction: Miami wins two out of three
Tulane at #22 Cal State Fullerton
Tulane is off to a 4-0 start and will hope to continue their hot streak as they travel across the country to southern California. They will face the #22 Cal State Fullerton Titans who just took two out of three games on the road at Stanford last weekend. The Titans looked markedly improved in the pitching department from a season ago. However, the Tulane offense features some of the most lethal bats in the country, including Golden Spikes hopeful, Hudson Haskin.
John's Prediction: Fullerton wins two out of three
Kyle’s Prediction: Fullerton wins two out of three
UConn vs #9 Michigan
In a scheduling oddity, UConn and #9 Michigan will play each other in Florida after meeting just last weekend in Arizona for a single game at the MLB4 Tournament where UConn bested Michigan, 7-1. However, that result may not be representative as it was Michigan's fourth game of the weekend (and only the third for UConn) and the Michigan bullpen was depleted. It will be interesting to see how these teams compete in a full weekend series.
John's Prediction: Michigan wins two out of three
Kyle’s Prediction: Michigan wins two out of three
Oregon State at #4 Mississippi State
Oregon State comes in with a chip on their shoulder in something of a rebuilding year for the Beavers. They have started off the year at 2-2 and could make a statement by taking down one of the best teams in the SEC on the road. The #4 Bulldogs will have to show their mettle as they will be without their ace. JT Ginn was just scratched from this weekend series which changes the dynamic of this matchup completely. The big question of the weekend will be: how deep is Mississippi State's pitching staff?
John's Prediction: Mississippi State wins two out of three
Kyle’s Prediction: Mississippi State sweeps
Dallas Baptist at #16 North Carolina
After sweeping an outmatched South Dakota State team, Dallas Baptist notched a quality win over UT Arlington in midweek action. #16 North Carolina will be a stiff challenge for DBU. At 5-0, the Tar Heels have outscored their opponents 43-9 so far this season. If Dallas Baptist wants to establish itself as a legitimate contender to host a Regional, this series may prove crucial. North Carolina has spent the season sneaking up the rankings and could earn another jump with a series win this weekend.
John's Prediction: UNC wins two out of three
Kyle’s Prediction: Dallas Baptist wins two out of three
Other Series Predictions
Wake Forest at Long Beach State
John's Prediction: LBSU wins two out of three
Kyle’s Prediction: Wake Forest wins two out of three
UCF at #7 Auburn
John's Prediction: Auburn sweeps
Kyle’s Prediction: Auburn sweeps
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