Pitching Vs Arkansas

As it is every year, pitching depth is going to play a factor in determining who wins this year's CWS.

In an ideal world, we start Cowan or Noot and finish the game with a combination of whichever one of those guys didn't start and our 2nd line bullpen guys. That would leave Anderson, Eyanson, and Evans available to start this weekend (Or Evans available to close if needed). If we have to play on Thursday, then we will burn Anderson. We did that in '23, when we had to use Skenes in that epic battler against Lowder. Still won, but it would have been easier if we hadn't had to use him.

Arkansas has used up their top two starters and will not have the luxury of starting either Root or Wood against us. Gaeckle threw 90 pitches on Saturday, so he could be available - maybe as a Thursday starter. Jiminez threw 40 pitches yesterday, so he's probably out.

As for tonight, Biedelshies and Bybee are two guys who have started weekend games for the Hogs. Neither is overwhelming, but both throw strikes.

After that, most of their bullpen is available, so they could be relying on Coil, Gibler, Foutch, and Gaeckle to help them cross the finish line. Obviously, they have to win two against us, but if they pull it off, they'll have Root and Wood available for the weekend and well positioned.

Let's win this tonight...