June 4, 2009

Another great day to blog so we shouldn't wait.

The Hot List:
1. Super Regional Top 3 Previews


Let DO THIS!!!!

1. So I have decided to take the top 3 best match-ups of the Super Regionals and break them down for you guys today. I'll be giving you guys my 8 picks for the CWS today as well.

#1...The best series is the Rice/LSU series. It pins two very successful programs that have been to Omaha quite a bit in the last 10 years. LSU is lead by two outstanding pitchers in Louis Coleman and Anthony Ranaudo. Both have combined to win 21 games this season. The tigers are also led by a very solid closer in Matty Otto who has a 2.22 ERA with 15 saves this season.
Rice also bring 3 quality arms to the series with Ryan Berry, Mike Ojala, and Taylor Wall. They don't have a solid closer like LSU does but respond with a solid offense led by Anthony Rendon batting .384 with 19 HR's on the season.
OUTLOOK: It's hard to see Rice win this series having to travel to LSU this weekend. Pitching will be key in this series and could possibly be a coin flip if all 3 starters for both teams are on their game. I expect LSU to win in 2 games. They have the offense, pitching, and closer that you need to be a strong contender at the CWS. Dont be surprised if Rice give them a run for their money and wins in 3 games. Go Tigers.

#2 The next best series is Clemson at Arizonia State. Its a different Clemson team then in year's past when we have seen. They bring one quality starter to the table with Casey Harmon and will most likely rely on outhitting the Sun Devils in Tempe. They bring Ben Paulsen batting .369 with 13 HR's to the table.
ASU has argurably one of the best pitchers in the country with Mike Leake (15-1, 1.23 ERA). They also fire back with Josh Spence (8-1, 2.37 ERA), and Mitchell Lambson (8-3 2.81 ERA).
OUTLOOK: What does this all mean??? I'll be hard pressed to see Clemson score many runs in this series as they struggled to out duel OSU's 2 high caliber starters. It's simple this season, ASU isn't running into a 4 seed team on a tear to Omaha with hopes of winning it all (i.e. Fresno State), so all they have to do is be the team they have all season and they'll win easily in 2 games. This is probably one of the most dangerous teams in the CWS if they get in. Clemson's fight and spunk may push this to 3 games should one of ASU starters falter but they'll just be too strong to be beaten this year at home.

#3 This is one of the most interesting match-ups as Virginia is a hot team with loads of momentum winning the toughest regional last weekend at Cal Irvine. They are lead by 2 great pitchers in Danny Hultzen and Andrew Carraway. This team also bring a team 3.19 ERA to the field. Offensively they aren't the flashiest team, but have been getting timely hits and small balling teams to get great W's. This team won the ACC tournament to earn the automatic bid into the regionals...they're hot...look out.
Ole Miss once again is back in the same situation it's been in the last few years, hosting a super regional, and maybe thinking they'll get a chance to make it to Omaha. The last few super's for Ole Miss have been disappointing...letting teams like Miami make the CWS instead of them. This year's team isnt very flashy on the mound but has gotten some good starts from Drew Pomeranz, Philip Irwin, and Brett Bukvich. Ole Miss bring a team 4.14 ERA into the series. Offensively they have been a better hitting team batting .315 as a team and slugging out 54 HR's.
OUTLOOK: This is the hardest matchup to pick in my eyes because both teams are fairly balanced. The edge and the pick goes to Virginia because of their hot postseason play and the fact that I think this team could make a splash at the CWS next week. It'll be another disappointing super regional for Ole Miss but when they get some more solid pitching, it'll be easier to pick them to win.

Other Picks: Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, Fullerton, Southern Miss, Virginia, ASU, LSU

Tomorrow will ask the Question: How much is too much to pay for a Head Football Coach?
Tune in then....