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It's a potential knockout game for Kentucky and Auburn. Both squads are on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament and need to win this game, not only for the intrinsic value of another 'W', but also for the opportunity to play at least two more games.
Must Reads
Time and Expected Starters
- 5:30 PM ET, could be later if Missouri-South Carolina goes late
- Wildcats Starter: RHP Zack Brown, 6-5, 3.31 ERA, 6.8 K/9, 1.29 WHIP
- Auburn Starter: RHP Cole Lipscomb, 7-2, 2.38 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 1.14 WHIP
Team Comparison
UK | Auburn | |
Record | 30 – 24 | 34 – 22 |
SEC | 14 – 15 | 13 – 17 |
Last 10 | 5 – 5 | 4 – 6 |
RPI | 56 | 22 |
Warren Nolan | 85 | 68 |
Ken Massey | 49 | 29 |
Boyd's World | 60 | 31 |
UK | Auburn | |
Runs /G | 5.3 | 4.9 |
Runs Allowed/G | 5.2 | 3.9 |
SEC Runs /G | 4.9 | 4.0 |
SEC Runs All./G | 4.9 | 4.4 |
Kentucky has the superior offense while Auburn's pitching/defense has been better over the course of the season. The computer rankings like Tigers more than the Cats and the conference records aren't too dissimilar. This is likely to be a closely contested game, but if Kentucky can score 3 or more runs I like their chances with Zack Brown on the mound. The trick, of course, is scoring 3 or more runs off Tiger ace and All-SEC 2nd Team Cole Lipscomb who has been really, really good this year.
Programming Note: I'll have gamethreads/previews for as long as UK is playing, but I'll probably skip postmortems for individual tournament games this year.
UPDATE: Lineup posted
#UKbaseball faces off with @Auburn_Baseball in an elimination game at 5:30pm ET on @SECNetwork. Lineup: pic.twitter.com/kQtu6mlgr3
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) May 19, 2015