Stop with all the history---------the key to the game

no doubt

neither team has been ripping the ball, both teams have been equal defensively, both have a less than 100% bullpen

anthony ranaudo vs. cole green...winner takes the trophy

and i like that matchup for louisiana state

Fun killer

I say it comes down to our ability to hit the ball, not who is on the mound. We have to be patient and make their pitcher throw strikes. We have not hit the ball the last two nights the way we should and when we hit the ball the way we should they will not beat us.

quote:

---

If Ranaudo can't go 5, it's over.

---

Maybe... Remember Bradshaw and Cain shut them down the last 4 innings. The key is our hitting. We need 7 runs to win, 5 may get us there with AR throwing well. 4 or less runs and we are toast.

quote:

---

Which teams' pitchers are on their game. It's as simple as that.

---

It's astonishing how many baseball fans can't see the obvious: pitching, pitching, pitching, pitching.

Remember back in the 70's when Steve Carlton won 27 games on a Phillies team that only won 53?

quote:

---

I say it comes down to our ability to hit the ball, not who is on the mound

---

Against teams like Rice, Arky, UVA----yes. They didn't have a very good bullpen. So you wanted to get their starter out. I'd venture to say the guys coming out of UT's pen are just as good as Green. (Wood, Dicharry, THomas, Workman, Ruffin)

Thus, we need an awesome performance from Ranaudo to have a chance. I'm thinking at least 6IP, 3 runs or less will put us in a good position to win it.

I agree with another poster about <4 runs means we're toast.