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D1Baseball Weekly Chat: May 5
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Aaron Fitt
12:45
Yeah we've noticed the same thing, Dom -- as Roons has put it, Oregon had a tendency to "play with its food" a little bit earlier in the season and kinda sloppily win 2 out of 3 against teams it felt like the Ducks should have swept. Personally, I think part of that was just a product of first-half identity stuff, trying to find the right combinations and find their stride on the mound. Feels like the pitching has really come together, and I think they've been much more consistent of late, and certainly their performance against the best teams they've played has been loud, as you mentioned. I think that's an Omaha team, and I expect them to play like it in June.
Greg
12:47
Is Tennessee's staff after Marcus Phillips on Saturday and Sunday a real point of concern for the Vols?
Kendall Rogers
12:47
I think it is. I think I wrote this after the LSU series, but as much as I like Doyle and Phililps, the arms at the backend of the bullpen do not scare me. Sure, Franklin and Snead throw hard, but Snead doesn't miss enough bats for my liking -- just 19 strikeouts in 26 innings in league play with premium velocity. Kuhns will be really good in the future, but he's just OK right now. Yes, it's definitely a concern for me.
FittsMagic
12:48
After the Ducks debacle, it felt like Canham & the Beavs had to make an adjustment to the pitching staff. Did shifting Keljo back into the bullpen this weekend make you feel better about this team's chances in the post season?
Aaron Fitt
12:48
Once again, I'll have to credit Roons -- he's been hinting all year that he thinks the Beavers would be best suited with Keljo in the bullpen, and ultimately I think he was right. This weekend was a good reminder of what kind of dominant force Keljo can be in relief, even for extended innings (4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R). Feels similar to what Arkansas did with Gabe Gaeckle -- both those guys have real stuff, but for whatever reason they just seem to thrive coming out of the bullpen, and I think having them in those extended stopper roles provides a ton of value. I also like Eric Segura in a starting role, so I just think this move made sense across the board. And yes, it does make me feel better about OSU's postseason outlook.
FittsMagic
12:50
What is the status of Jackie Robinson Stadium lawsuit that disrupted UCLA's fall season? Are they even allowed to host a regional on-campus?
Aaron Fitt
12:50
As I understand it, yes they can host. And from what I've been hearing, the Bruins are optimistic that this will all be resolved in a way that allows UCLA to remain at JRS in the years to come -- although this dog & pony show has been exhausting.
Poll Mechanics
12:51
How about the Fighting Brock Ungrichts leading the WCC behind a 14-2 stretch after that 6-24 start?
party 1
Kendall Rogers
12:51
Not too surprised. We were pretty high on USD coming into the season, so it was obviously a surprise that the Toreros got off to such a slow start. Now, it feels like they're playing like the team we thought they'd be. Jack Gurevitch has my attention. In conference play, the hard-hitting junior is batting .417 with six doubles, five homers and 24 RBIs. Pretty loud. Brock is a REALLY good coach, BTW.
Marc
12:53
I totally get why you left Texas at #1 despite the awful weekend. The resume is still strong and consistent all year until now. However, if this was a projection of how you think Texas will do moving forward instead of what they have done to this point, where would they be? Seems like the lack of pitching depth might be revealing itself after Jared Spencer's injury.
Aaron Fitt
12:53
I am indeed a bit concerned about the effect of the Spencer injury... but I would still regard Texas as a top-five national title contender long term, and probably top three, alongside Arkansas and LSU. To me, those feel like the most complete teams, overall, with others like FSU, UNC, Oregon, Clemson, Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee in the next tier (but not too far behind).
Hardball Fan
12:54
What's the latest on the House Settlement and roster counts for next season?
Kendall Rogers
12:54
It's expected to be approved in the next couple of weeks. What will be interesting is if Judge Wilken rules that the roster limits will be a gradual change or an immediate change -- administrators want an immediate rip the band-aid off approach.
dopta
12:56
Big12 teams with best chances for Regional bids...does it now include a 7th team with Cincinnati? what would baylor need to do? Is Kansa St safe?
Aaron Fitt
12:56
Suddenly Cincinnati's postseason case is looking a whole lot better, after sweeping the Jayhawks -- the Bearcats are now up to No. 43 in the RPI, even ahead of K-State (No. 46), though the Wildcats are one game better in the standings (14-10 vs. UC's 13-11). I suspect both teams will land in the "bubble-in" category in our Nerdcast tonight, but if we wind up having to pick just one of the two, I might give Cincinnati the edge, based on a better Q1 record (7-9, compared with KSU's 4-14) and the fact that the Bearcats will host the series against the Wildcats in the regular-season finale, so advantage UC there.
GoCards
12:57
Do you see a path where Louisville is able to get back in the hosting conversation?
Kendall Rogers
12:57
Would probably need to win the GT and Wake Forest series for sure, at minimum. Conference standing and RPI (27) is the issue right now. Winning both of those series would probably put U of L in striking distance.
Frank
12:58
With a pivotal series against Vandy on the horizon, how crucial is it for Tennessee to secure a series win to bolster their hosting chances and regain confidence?
Aaron Fitt
12:58
The Vols are definitely leaking oil, and considering they finish the regular season with a road series at Arkansas, I definitely think it is critical for them to win this home series vs. Vandy. But you know they're going to get up for that one. If Vandy goes in there and wins it, the Commodores could be in danger of losing six of their final seven series to finish the regular season, and that just doesn't feel host-worthy.
Josh (Pittsburgh)
12:59
Good morning fellas, nice series weekend for the Noles, glad to get Joe Charles back in the pen and looked good yesterday when it was getting a little tight. How close to a Top 8 lock are they? (presuming they win the ACC or finish Top 2?)
Aaron Fitt
12:59
Yeah, Joe Charles was a big difference maker for them this weekend, and their pen certainly needed that jolt. Good veteran arm that will be a key piece for them in the postseason. I think if they finish top two in the ACC, I'm comfortable calling that a top-8 lock.
Phil
12:59
Creighton wins the Big East tournament. Who would get the At large bids Xavier or UConn? Any chance they’d let 3 BE teams in?
Kendall Rogers
12:59
If Creighton won the auto bid, my feeling as of today is that UConn and Creighton make the field and Xavier would be on the outside looking in. WTS -- XU could greatly improve its chances by winning the Creighton and Penn State series on the road. Win those two and it would be tough, I think, to keep Billy OC's club out of the tourney.
Aaron Fitt
1:00
All right gang, I've got to run to a radio hit, KR will take a few more and get you to the finish line. See you next week!
Poll Mechanics
1:02
The fun mid-majors (WKU, SELA, McNeese, Troy, Xavier, Cal Poly) are sliding. We're getting 14 SEC teams, right?  A&M and Mississippi State both have Mizzou left, while UK gets to the 13-win threshold by winning one of their last two series or not getting swept plus taking a game in Hoover.
Kendall Rogers
1:02
I would lean 14 SEC teams as of today, but I just have a weird feeling someone out of that league gets snubbed on Selection Monday ....
RazorSaint
1:04
Gage Wood coming back for the Hogs could very likely be the missing piece this season for the Hogs. This pitching staff is set up perfectly to make a run to Omaha
Kendall Rogers
1:04
Would agree here. I was extremely encouraged by Wood's outing over the weekend -- nine strikeouts and ZERO walks. I also love the role that the Hogs have Gabe Gaeckle in right now. It reminds me a little bit of the way Jim Schlossnagle used Chris Cortez (an elite arm) at A&M last year. He's like Arkansas' security blanket right now.
Eric Simmons
1:08
If Florida wins 1 against Texas and 2 or 3 against Alabama I think they're in the NCAA Tournament what do you think?
Kendall Rogers
1:08
With its RPI in a great spot, the Gators are easily in the tournament, IMO, with 13 wins. Let's not forget about the non-conference series win the Gators also have against a Miami team who is near the top of the ACC standings at the moment.
Kragen (DBU)
1:09
D1 gang, were the Patriots in the conversation for the Top 25 this week? Playing some great ball right now!
Kendall Rogers
1:09
DBU was definitely in the mix for the Top 25 this week. It was joined by Texas A&M, Florida, and Miami, predominantly, while Northeastern, the nation's leader in consecutive wins, was also in the mix. Losing Jake Bennett for the reason is a tough pill to swallow, but getting Poole back soon should really help.
Tiger
1:11
Missouri hasn't gone to regional since joining the SEC. Now, they're on pace to go 0-30. Meanwhile, Texas, albeit a blue blood has waltzed into the league and looks to on the way to a regular season title and OU will also be in a regional. What is holding Mizzou back from being even respectable?
Kendall Rogers
1:11
Tiger -- Missouri will not win at a high level in baseball until it actually treats baseball like a legitimate sport from a financial perspective. Missouri's facilities are not good and the administration has not shown - in any shape or form -- that they have a plan to support baseball. I did like that Laird Veatch (the AD) came out last week saying baseball needs to be supported at a high level, but he gave no specifics. I'm intrigued to see those specifics in the near future. If not -- Missouri will continue to struggle (albeit, probably not THIS bad).
Leo
1:15
Seems like UTRGV and SLU are the only realistic options for an at-large bid out of the Southland at this point, and MAYBE Lamar if they catch fire over the final few weeks.  If SLU and UTRGV meet in the SLC Championship series, would you guys consider the Southland a lock for two bids at that point?
Kendall Rogers
1:15
If they both make the tourney title game, I think both would obviously have very good shots. I do think having Jay Artigues as the chairman of the committee helps. Jay isn't the type to go out of his way to shill for his conference, but he WOULD have a great idea of how good both of those teams are vs. some others, whereas that typically is not the case for the Southland in the past.
Chris
1:17
Is 13 conference wins the magic number for the Aggies? What will be critical for the Ags to do to comfortably make the tournament?
Kendall Rogers
1:17
I think the Aggies are in with 13 given those marquee series wins over Arkansas, LSU and Tennessee, but again, I would prefer, if I'm A&M, to get to 14-15 to leave no doubt. You do NOT want to go into Selection Monday hoping teams in other conference tournaments win, lose, etc.... that's not a fun spot to be in.
MasonK
1:20
KR - what do you think of the year JB Middleton is having?  Do you think he is a lock for first team all american?
Kendall Rogers
1:20
He would be an All-American for me right now. I love what Middleton has done. He has always been a premium arm that we just waited on to put all the pieces together. Now, he's an elite PITCHER, not just a thrower. His numbers are just bonkers with a .169 OBA and 88 strikeouts in 77.1 innings.
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