We already had one game played to kick off the weekend.
Texas hosted Oklahoma and absolutely worked them in a seven-inning run rule, winning 14–0. Ruger Riojas threw a complete game shutout, and Texas jumped on LJ Mercurius early with four runs in the first inning and never really looked back. They kept their foot on the pedal the entire game and took a commanding series lead, and expect them to finish off the series, likely tonight.
Now shifting into the rest of the weekend, here’s what I’m looking at across the SEC.
South Carolina at #7 Georgia
This weekend, I’m really looking at Georgia’s starting pitching.
South Carolina’s batting average is near the bottom of the league — actually the worst in the league — and in most other offensive categories, they’re sitting in the bottom five as well.
So for me, this is a weekend where I want to see Georgia’s pitchers come out and throw strikes.
With how good Georgia’s offense is, they shouldn’t have a shortage of scoring runs. The weather is supposed to be beautiful in Athens, so everything lines up for them offensively.
I’m looking for Joey Volchko to fill up the zone, for Dylan Vigue to have a good weekend, and to see how Georgia deploys the rest of their bullpen.
I think Georgia should take at least two out of three, but I do think South Carolina could sneak a win.
Prediction: Georgia takes 2 of 3
#5 Auburn at Alabama
I think Auburn takes two out of three this weekend.
For me, it comes down to the consistency of Auburn’s starting pitching versus the inconsistency of Alabama.
Alabama just got swept and then turned around and swept Florida, so it’s been a little all over the place. Their offense has been inconsistent, and they haven’t been able to string things together.
Auburn’s pitching has been more consistent overall, even though Sanders and Petrovic got hit around a little bit by Texas last weekend. Texas is really, really good, so I don’t put too much weight into that.
I expect Auburn to bounce back.
That said, Alabama at home in a rivalry weekend is always going to be a hostile environment. I’m also watching how Tyler Fay bounces back after throwing 132 pitches. Him and Zane Adams are always a tough one-two combo, especially at home.
But overall, I think Auburn is a good enough team to win this series.
Prediction: Auburn takes 2 of 3
Florida at #4 Arkansas
This is one where I’m going a little against what you’d expect.
It’s really hard to go into Arkansas and win a series. I love their starting rotation, their bullpen, and just their staff as a whole, and Dave Van Horn always has his teams ready.
But for some reason, this feels like a weekend where Florida takes care of business.
They just went out and beat Florida State 5–0 this week at a neutral site, and I fully expect Kevin O’Sullivan to have his team ready.
I think Florida comes in and finds a way to win two out of three.
Prediction: Florida takes 2 of 3
#25 Texas A&M at Missouri
Texas A&M is ranked, and I do think they’re a top 25 team, but I think Missouri wins this series.
Josh McDevitt is starting Friday night, and he’s kind of hit or miss, but the numbers are good. He’s 4–1 with an ERA under 3, more strikeouts than innings pitched, and he has good stuff.
If he’s on, he can shut down an offense.
Missouri also plays well at home. They played Auburn really tight in all three games, and I expect them to do the same here.
And with Texas A&M getting swept by Missouri last year, I think there’s a little bit of pressure there too.
For whatever reason, I feel like Missouri edges them this weekend.
Prediction: Missouri takes 2 of 3
#19 Kentucky at LSU
I think LSU is in danger this weekend.
Kentucky is a scrappy team. They take pitches, they work counts, and they’re probably not the team LSU wants to see right now while they’re scuffling a bit.
That said, Kentucky has some inconsistency.
Ben Cleaver has moved to Sunday, and Nate Harris jumping up into Saturday gives LSU a bit of an advantage, especially at home, in my opinion.
They’re going to have their hands full in game one against Jaxon Jeklkin, but I do think LSU finds a way.
This feels like a must-win series for them at the Box, and I think Jay Johnson has his squad ready.
Prediction: LSU takes 2 of 3
#6 Mississippi State at #19 Ole Miss
As tough as it is to go into Swayze Field and win a series, I think Mississippi State is just the better team right now.
I think they’re deeper.
They are losing Ryan McPherson on Friday night, and Charlie Fosterr is going to fill in, which is something to watch.
On the Ole Miss side, I’m really watching Hunter Elliott.
How does the command look? Do the command issues show up again, or does he come out and set the tone?
If Elliott comes out and throws strikes, I could absolutely see Ole Miss taking this series.
But overall, I’m leaning Mississippi State.
Prediction: Mississippi State takes 2 of 3
#21 Tennessee at Vanderbilt
For some reason, I think this is a weekend where Vanderbilt’s bats outmatch Tennessee’s arms.
Teagan Kuhns has been moved out of the weekend rotation and isn’t starting, which is a little surprising. Brandon Arvidson is stepping into that Friday night role.
That changes things for me.
If Vanderbilt gets a quality start from Connor Fennell on Friday night, and with Wyatt Nadeau being solid on Saturdays in Austin Nye’s place, I think they have a real chance.
At home, I think Vanderbilt finds a way.
Prediction: Vanderbilt takes 2 of 3
Weekend Picks
Texas over Oklahoma (Game 1 already complete)
Georgia over South Carolina
Auburn over Alabama
Florida over Arkansas
Missouri over Texas A&M
LSU over Kentucky
Mississippi State over Ole Miss
Vanderbilt over Tennessee