re: Official #1 LSU vs #9 Arkansas Prediction Thread

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Starting Pitching:
LSU (check)
Arky

Bullpen:
LSU
Arky (check)

Offense:
LSU (check)
Arky

Defense:
LSU (check)
Arky

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STARTING PITCHING:

While the Tigers have had a stable weekend rotation for several weeks now, the Razorbacks finally are comfortable with their threesome in the rotation with right-handed pitchers Barrett Astin and Ryne Stanek, and senior left-handed pitcher Randall Fant leading the charge.

Astin served primarily as a reliever last season, but has held both roles for the Razorbacks this spring. Astin pitched well against Alabama last weekend and typically sits 89-92 with his fastball, along with a low-80s slider, upper-70s changeup and a low-to-mid 70s curveball. The righty has a 2.31 ERA in 39 innings. He also has struck out 28 and walked nine, while teams are hitting him at a .247 clip.

Stanek obviously is the leader of this starting rotation. Stanek sits 90-95 with his fastball, which typically stays low in the zone, while he also has a plus 82-85 slider at times as well. Stanek has also thrown a curveball in the low-70s at times this season, while his changeup, which sits 79-81, is a potential plus pitch as well. Stanek has a 1.90 ERA in 42 2/3 innings, along with 38 strikeouts and 16 walks.

Last but not least, Fant is just one of those guys where you know what you're going to get. The 6-foot-4, 185-pounder, sits in the mid-to-upper 80s with his fastball, while he'll also utilize a 77-80 changeup and 81-82 cutter. Command is the big key with Fant, who has a 1.71 ERA in 31 2/3 innings of work.

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BULLPEN:

LSU might have the edge in some other important categories, but there's no doubt entering the weekend the Razorbacks have the edge when it comes to the bullpen.

The Hogs have a big-time, stocky, reliever in junior right-hander Colby Suggs. Suggs has struggled with command at times this season, but when he's on, there's zero doubt he's one of the best in the business. Suggs has a fastball that sits 92-95 on the radar gun, and he's almost unhittable when he's commanding that 78-80 curveball.

Though Suggs receives much fanfare, sophomore left-handed pitcher Jalen Beeks is arguably the Hogs' best reliever. Beeks has been terrific this spring, with an 0.70 ERA in 25 2/3 innings of work, along with 20 strikeouts and five walks. Beeks has a high 80s fastball along with a mid 70s curveball.

Also keep an eye on hard-throwing Chris Oliver, who is up to 92-93 at times with his fastball, along with junior right-hander Brandon Moore and left-hander Trent Daniel. Moore has a big 6-foot-3, 228-pound, frame with a 1.72 ERA in 31 1/3 innings of work, while Daniel has a 2.03 ERA in 13 1/3 innings.

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OFFENSE:

Offensive production certainly is the biggest difference between the Tigers and Razorbacks at this point in the season, and even the basic numbers tell the whole story. For instance, LSU enters the weekend hitting .322 as a club, while the Razorbacks still are trying to find an identity with a weak .276 batting average.

While the Tigers have things flowing very well offensively, the same can't be said about the Razorbacks.

Mainly because of their defensive woes, the Hogs have had to put together different lineups on a consistent basis. It also hasn't helped that second baseman Dominic Ficociello has had trouble with that pulled ribbed muscle since the beginning of the season.

Ficociello is having a tough offensive campaign as a result, only hitting .258 with a home run and six RBIs, while electric outfielder Tyler Spoon is a versatile and impressive player, hitting .336 with six doubles, three homers and 35 RBIs.

Also keep an eye on athletic Brian Anderson (.320/2/22), along with Joe Serrano (.300/1/12), Jacob Mahan (.295/1/13) and youngster Willie Schwanke (.233/1/15), who got some important playing time and was productive against Alabama last weekend.

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DEFENSE:

Here's yet another area where the Tigers have a clear-cut advantage. Typically, you can't always look at fielding percentage to determine a true edge, but in this case you certainly can. For instance, the Tigers have an outstanding .983 team batting average. But the Razorbacks? They have a .958 fielding percentage.

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I actually predict 2/3... I only proposed that we take all 3

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e Tigers have an outstanding .983 team batting average

Wowsers!

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We should be at 1.000 but whatever!!!!

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You turning into a believer, hcb?

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No, arkansas sweep

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