NCAA Baseball Regionals (Poll)

[Golden Tornadoes]

Up 8-2 at home in a game that is
the biggest of the season you can’t give up 13 unanswered runs..

That's why I don't understand not bringing in Patel. Your offense just gave you a 6-run lead, and your best bullpen arm hasn't pitched since the ACC Tournament. Throw him out there and allow him to slam the door on any sort of potential comeback and celebrate hosting Kansas today. On the flip side, you have him today fresh as can be and can throw as much as you need him to. I'm trying not to have PTSD from Auburn a few years ago, but it's hard. Just have to go out today, pounce on very tired arms, and let your man take you across the finish line.

 

[305jacket]

Citadel being a weak 3 seed and not keeping the game close killed us. OU was able to save some good arms for us instead of burning them in the elimination game. That definitely played a factor.

Ultimately, today is a new day and we MUST strike on their starter today early. Both for psychological reasons for us (nervous energy will penetrate the building if we don’t have a lead early) and to get their depleted arms to have to keep running high pitch counts.

I trust Blakely and Patel to each get through 3 innings. Leaving the last 3 to some combination of Loy, Shadek and Barfield probably.

 

[GTJon]

I've always been torn about having to play extra games versus sitting out.

On one hand, you want to save your arms. Tournament settings usually comes down to pitcher attrition. GT was good enough to earn a "bye", while OU had to play an extra game playing two Sunday. They were in elimination mode and had to throw, pun intended, every viable pitcher they had to win 2 games. GT had the luxury of staying "on schedule" with pitching. GT is definitely in the better pitching position today than Oklahoma.

...on the other hand, there's something to be said for the hitting side. Getting to see more pitches, and more at bats helps the hitters. It's the one advantage of hitting that you typically see the ball better the more at bats you get. Between beating the Citadel earlier in the day, and playing GT, OU's hitters saw a LOT of pitches and had a lot of ABs. They put up 30 runs between the two games...usually something you see from GT. It's not like GT didn't put up runs, we got 8 runs which was one less than what we did against them the previous game which we won. The baseballs probably look like softballs to OU's hitters right now. Although not as extreme as MLB where the higher seed sits out an entire series for a bye, which has become a detriment for higher seeds recently in MLB playoff, you gotta wonder if OU's hitting was helped by playing an extra game even if it was a disadvantage for their pitching.

I don't think that advantage will be as great today as both teams are starting "fresh" in terms of hitters seeing the ball. OU's legs are probably a lot heavier, and their pitchers are certainly more stressed today. GT should have an advantage today. Our guys have played with a really good mindset all season...almost with an air of invincibility. I don't think a loss will change that today.

Trying to look on the bright side, if you throw out 2 innings (one of which I don't count because we were using back of the bullpen relievers), OU has only scored 5 runs in 15 innings against us. At some point, them playing their 5th game in 3 days in the heat and humidity has to start having an effect as well. I know it didn't work last night, but I just really think today, get an early lead, and it gets real hard for them quickly.

 

[DecaturJacket]

I had assumed Patel was more of a closer than mid reliever. I guess you throw that out the window in a do or die situation. Just don't give up those huge innings today.

This is a misconception. Despite being named on the list for "closer of the year" or whatever last year, he was never a true closer and was actually closer to a long relief/mid relief guy than a closer.

Last year when he was at his peak success, he came in in the middle innings a lot of the time. He had a lot of 3-4 inning relief appearances. I wanna say he even had like a 6+ inning relief appearances when one of our starters had to leave early.

 

[ibeattetris]

I had assumed Patel was more of a closer than mid reliever.

Last year Patel had a 6 inning "save" (technically counted as a win), so he should 100% have length.

 

[GTJon]

That's why I don't understand not bringing in Patel. Your offense just gave you a 6-run lead, and your best bullpen arm hasn't pitched since the ACC Tournament. Throw him out there and allow him to slam the door on any sort of potential comeback and celebrate hosting Kansas today. On the flip side, you have him today fresh as can be and can throw as much as you need him to. I'm trying not to have PTSD from Auburn a few years ago, but it's hard. Just have to go out today, pounce on very tired arms, and let your man take you across the finish line.

Flip side, what if we had brought Patel in for the 4th up 8-2 or 8-3 (that presumes you had him ready to go which they did not at that time)? Let's say he gets out of it, pitches through 6 with the lead and then the same combination of relievers blow it after that. Then all the complaints about "why did you burn Patel so early and now we don't have him fresh on Monday".

The plan was fine. You were counting on Gaudette who has been one of your main guys this year. You never expect he's going to give up 4 runs on 11 pitches.

 

[Techster]

Trying to look on the bright side, if you throw out 2 innings (one of which I don't count because we were using back of the bullpen relievers), OU has only scored 5 runs in 15 innings against us. At some point, them playing their 5th game in 3 days in the heat and humidity has to start having an effect as well. I know it didn't work last night, but I just really think today, get an early lead, and it gets real hard for them quickly.

Agree 100%. They've got to be mentally spent right now living on the edge, and being short on arms. Those big innings was a shot of adrenaline for them. If GT gets up, you have to think they're mentally looking at walking up a mountain after running a marathon, and that adrenaline is gone.

 

[GTJon]

This is a misconception. Despite being named on the list for "closer of the year" or whatever last year, he was never a true closer and was actually closer to a long relief/mid relief guy than a closer.

Last year when he was at his peak success, he came in in the middle innings a lot of the time. He had a lot of 3-4 inning relief appearances. I wanna say he even had like a 6+ inning relief appearances when one of our starters had to leave early.

I think we can all agree he should absolutely be the first out of the bullpen today and be ready to eat as many innings as he can go. Hopefully our bats are pounding their relievers so that ideal situation, whoever pitches the last couple of innings has a comfortable lead.

 

[g0lftime]

Metal bats are what make college baseball imo.

1. We're just starting to see the HR numbers balloon back up again. They originally died down for a while after the switch from BESR to BBCOR. I think they've actually done something with the balls recently.
2. The college game needs more offense to try to draw interest. If it were wood, it'd have zero interest much like the minor leagues.

BAS will likely come to college eventually, but it's expensive and most programs can't afford it so it'll likely be a while. MAYBE you see the big conferences start to implement it, but I'm not sure that'll happen soon either. Maybe though. Also if your argument is too many walks, I don't think BAS is going to help that - it's likely it'd increase walks if anything. College pitchers just don't have the control or consistency of pro pitchers.

I don’t enjoy 18- 15 score games with a pitching change every inning. Too many opposite field homeruns in college with metal bats. Much rarer in MLB with wood. There is a reason MLB doesn't use them. Pitchers are throwing in the 90's which is MLB velocity but with less control or off speed stuff. At least give them more consistent calls and same for batters. Technology allows better strike zone calls on the edges. Cost will come down ultimately. Triple A uses it. We can spend millions on facilities. P4 should be able to require it.

 

[Eli]

That's why I don't understand not bringing in Patel. Your offense just gave you a 6-run lead, and your best bullpen arm hasn't pitched since the ACC Tournament. Throw him out there and allow him to slam the door on any sort of potential comeback and celebrate hosting Kansas today. On the flip side, you have him today fresh as can be and can throw as much as you need him to. I'm trying not to have PTSD from Auburn a few years ago, but it's hard. Just have to go out today, pounce on very tired arms, and let your man take you across the finish line.

I would have went straight to Patel after pulling Blakey and if they beat me with my best bullpen arm on the mound and a 5 run lead then shame on us.

 

[4shotB]

@MWBATL You are consistent. I feel for/with you. This is going to be a tough next 6-10 hours. No other way around it. This 'tension' has been building since February (or before). You knew this weekend (and ultimately DAY) would come, didn't you? A full season of buildup for those (like you... and there are many) waiting for the pitching shoe to drop. All the "good news" regarding the pitching kept coming at you as the team stack up 50 wins and only 10 losses ... but you still doubt it is real. ... the pitching.

I'm seriously not trying to make light of it. You are the guy I think about every time there is the tiniest lapse with the pitching (an at bat or a sequence or a game). Baseball is not for the feeble or faint of heart. To your credit, you hang in there with the anxiety as palpable as it ever was.

Here's to your stamina ... and your willingness to share your angst.

It is binary now... it will either be DIFFERENT or the same in about 9 hours.

Peace... and To Hell with Georgia!

Fred..or others. Does this game carry much more weight than just this one game without any other lasting ripple effect (one way or the other)?

I am not going to lie. What caught my attention this year was the idea or hope that things WOULD be different with a new skipper in the dugout. I'm not sure if the great O was enough to bring me back assuming all other things were equal.

I think a win today takes a huge monkey off of our backs and will have much more lasting effect than just getting to go on to the Supers. I think this program (its fans for sure, maybe the players) needs to believe that the curse is indeed over.

Others will say, naw..it's just one game. Flush itt and go on to the next game or the next season. Thoughts?

 

[GriffinRamblinWreck]

I would have went straight to Patel after pulling Blakey and if they beat me with my best bullpen arm on the mound and a 5 run lead then shame on us.

Easy to say now….. I liked the love with a 6 run lead. In no world did anybody think they would drop a 8 piece in that inning. Patel was gonna pitch us home from 7 on but I’m glad we have him fully rested for today

 

[Eli]

Easy to say now….. I liked the love with a 6 run lead. In no world did anybody think they would drop a 8 piece in that inning. Patel was gonna pitch us home from 7 on but I’m glad we have him fully rested for today

Not really. You have to stop momentum and Patel has been your guy to do that all season especially in the most important moments of the game. I get we were trying to bridge the gap and would have understood it more if Patel had already thrown in the regional but he hasn’t so I’m living and dying with him on the mound for as many outs as he can get in the final game.

 

[Sugar3ThousandPounds]

I've always been torn about having to play extra games versus sitting out.

On one hand, you want to save your arms. Tournament settings usually comes down to pitcher attrition. GT was good enough to earn a "bye", while OU had to play an extra game playing two Sunday. They were in elimination mode and had to throw, pun intended, every viable pitcher they had to win 2 games. GT had the luxury of staying "on schedule" with pitching. GT is definitely in the better pitching position today than Oklahoma.

...on the other hand, there's something to be said for the hitting side. Getting to see more pitches, and more at bats helps the hitters. It's the one advantage of hitting that you typically see the ball better the more at bats you get. Between beating the Citadel earlier in the day, and playing GT, OU's hitters saw a LOT of pitches and had a lot of ABs. They put up 30 runs between the two games...usually something you see from GT. It's not like GT didn't put up runs, we got 8 runs which was one less than what we did against them the previous game which we won. The baseballs probably look like softballs to OU's hitters right now. Although not as extreme as MLB where the higher seed sits out an entire series for a bye, which has become a detriment for higher seeds recently in MLB playoff, you gotta wonder if OU's hitting was helped by playing an extra game even if it was a disadvantage for their pitching.

I don't think that advantage will be as great today as both teams are starting "fresh" in terms of hitters seeing the ball. OU's legs are probably a lot heavier, and their pitchers are certainly more stressed today. GT should have an advantage today. Our guys have played with a really good mindset all season...almost with an air of invincibility. I don't think a loss will change that today.

Yeah The Citadel did us no favors letting Oklahoma get a 3-hr batting practice in right before our game and providing pretty much zero resistance.

As much as it must've sucked for our team to have to sleep on that loss, it's what we needed to reset mentally.

 

[4shotB]

I’m living and dying with him on the mound for as many outs as he can get in the final game.

Eli, it's day late but you will probably get your wish today!!

 

[Eli]

Eli, it's day late but you will probably get your wish today!!

Let’s hope we can also recreate a 6 run lead..

 

[FredJacket]

Fred..or others. Does this game carry much more weight than just this one game without any other lasting ripple effect (one way or the other)?

I am not going to lie. What caught my attention this year was the idea or hope that things WOULD be different with a new skipper in the dugout. I'm not sure if the great O was enough to bring me back assuming all other things were equal.

I think a win today takes a huge monkey off of our backs and will have much more lasting effect than just getting to go on to the Supers. I think this program (its fans for sure, maybe the players) needs to believe that the curse is indeed over.

Others will say, naw..it's just one game. Flush itt and go on to the next game or the next season. Thoughts?

This is a HUGE day... to conclude a huge weekend... that follows an outstanding (generational) [regular] season. So... up front. Nothing that happens in this regional "takes away" the accomplishments of CJR, his staff, and the team through the ACC Tournament. All those wins and championships happened and they deserve to be celebrated. FULL STOP.

However... to say today is not something different altogether would be crazy. All the work. All the talent. All the success up to this point ... were it to result in something other than a super regional series in Atlanta next weekend. That would be a huge disappointment.

Personally, I do probably put more weight on the process than the outcome (if it is a loss today) than the average fan. I'm cool with that... and I hope "they" are too. Which means... I'll get over a loss quickly (relatively) and look forward to the future. It is very bright.

This team is special. I cannot imagine (right now) a bad result (loss) tonight. We've earned the #2 overall seed... and we went 2-0 to start the regional. Both things increase the odds of winning the thing. That includes the situation we find ourselves in today. We're in a good / advantageous position. Just go execute and a win is there for the taking.

 

[GT33]

This brings up, are there any changes in strategy we should change today?

For one thing, the shift is killing me. Maybe it's worked more than it hasn't this year, but it's not working against Oklahoma. They're good enough to find the open spots and then put pressure on you to cover. Plus, you're never in position to turn a double play. I would say, at least make the positioning a little less extreme today.

Also, dare we tinker with the lineup? He pinch hit Daniel for Baker last night? Would you consider starting Daniel or Rogers at DH today?

Any other strategy ideas from others?

Ramsey needs to stay the course. He has a winning hand, he just needs to play it. Last night he diverted from his norm. He did stick with Blakely like he's done to get another inning out of him, but he's yanked relievers when they've struggled. He normally would have pulled Gaudette after 2 batters, but he left him in to get pounded when he had Barfield, Patel, Shadek, etc sitting there.

 

[4shotB]

Not really. You have to stop momentum and Patel has been your guy to do that all season especially in the most important moments of the game. I get we were trying to bridge the gap and would have understood it more if Patel had already thrown in the regional but he hasn’t so I’m living and dying with him on the mound for as many outs as he can get in the final game.

Your post got me to looking. Whether the time frame is 10 or 25 years, the percentage of times a team has scored more than 8 or more runs in a half inning in the playoffs is less than .1% (note the decimal in front of the one).Meaning less than 1 in a 1,000 chance. Per Google AI. I can give the coach a little bit of a break for not planning for this outcome tbh.

 

[Eli]

Your post got me to looking. Whether the time It's frame is 10 or 25 years, the percentage of times a team has scored more than 8 or more runs in a half inning in the playoffs is less than .1% (note the decimal in front of the one).Meaning less than 1 in a 1,000 chance. Per Google AI. I can give the coach a little bit of a break for not planning for this outcome tbh.

It’s never about the 8 runs in the inning. I get we are math people but sports are a game of momentum. They lead the inning off with a home run and then we hit the next batter followed by an infield single. So you have two on and no outs in a 5 run game. You have to figure with no outs one of those runs scores no matter who is in the game so now we have a 4 run lead at minimum.