- Feels like it's been forever since we've seen TTU play, and the biggest question for me going into this weekend is whether or not the time off will have any affect on what I think could be the hottest lineup in the country right now.
- Certainly feels like we've watched a different baseball team over the last month. On April 18th, Texas Tech walked in the winning run to drop the opener of the BU series. TTU was 23-13, and 6-7 in conference play.
- Flash forward to May 15th, and TTU has ripped off 11 wins in their last 12 contests, including 8 straight in conference play. And those 8 conference wins came against Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma.
- I would really like this team to come out firing on Thursday. Erase all doubts early on about being rusty, and bury the frogs.
- If there is one thing that is a little concerning about playing postseason baseball, it's how often Texas Tech plays from behind. Jamie Lent had the stat last week during the broadcast, and I didn't get a chance to get the exact stat, but I believe that TTU has trailed in more innings than they've led this season. There is something to be said about resiliency, and always feeling like you're in the game, but I'd like to get off to better starts once the postseason starts.
TCU HORNED FROGS 28-22 (10-11)
- TCU dropped it's home finale last night 10-5 to Lamar, sits at 10-11 in conference play, and have some wondering whether or not the toads have mailed in the season. But do not get comfortable, this team is good, and can beat anybody.
- TCU will anchor their rotation with their ace, Nick Lodolo, and follow him up in the series with Charles King and Brandon Williamson. All three starters have logged over 60 innings, and all three have good stuff.
- TCU's pitching staff beyond those three is a total crap shoot. Like, one total pitcher with an ERA under 4.0 beyond their three weekend starters. In fact, the Frogs have had over 100 innings logged by pitchers with ERA's above 6.0.
- Similar to the Oklahoma series, I think that TTU will need to really focus on getting to the TCU bullpen and then unleashing hell. Knocking the starters out of the game in the 4th or 5th does not give me a ton of confidence that TCU can log 5 solid innings a night from their pen.
- Unlike the Oklahoma Sooners, TCU has also been able to score some runs this year. Their offense is good, and has been let down most of the season by their staff.
- Keep and eye on Lodolo and King on the bump. They have combined for 3 complete games this season. Guenther, Watson, and Rizer are the heartbeat of the order, and it will be very important to keep those guys in check this weekend.
Texas Tech Red Raiders 34-14 (14-7)
- Texas Tech is paced by their offense. They hit .307 as a team, and anyone from 1-9 can win a baseball game on any given night.
- Can Bryce Bonnin be that third weekend starter for TTU moving forward? The stuff is there, but the propensity to unravel quickly concerns me. When he settles into a game, he's borderline unhittable. If he can absorb some consistency from Micah Dallas and Caleb Kilian, he could be a huge cog in how far this team can go.
- Seems like guys up and down the lineup have just taken turns having monster weekends. Jung, Klein, Warren, Neuse, and Masters have all garnered a weekly award at some point this season. Who will explode and have a big weekend against TCU? Give me Gabe Holt.
- Josh Jung moving to shortstop has been a huge stabilizing move for Texas Tech. I know that you lose a little offensive thump with Parker Kelley at 3B over some other guys, but he's been really good at the hot corner. Not a lot of stuff is coming easy for other teams since the defensive switch was made. Heck, throw in the Kurt Wilson move to the OF to that conversation as well.
STATS and NOTES
- Death, taxes, and teams stealing bases at will on the Red Raiders. Texas Tech has allowed 76 successful steals in 94 tries this season. No bueno. Just for comparison, TCU has allowed 27/44 for the season. Slow deliveries from pitchers, lots of stuff in the dirt, not great arms behind the plate? I think all have some affect on that number, but something needs to change.
- TCU has actually hit more homers than the Red Raiders 51-49, but have scored 63 less runs on the season. Texas Tech also out slugs TCU .480 to .447. Not a ton to take from those numbers, but it shows how TTU can really keep scoring runs without relying on home runs.
- TCU has had 69 errors this season, which is higher than most. Against a lineup like Texas Tech throws out there, you just can't afford to give up free runs. If you do, you'll more than likely see some innings blow up on you in a hurry.
- The main difference I see between these two teams? To me, it's the Red Raiders trust in several arms coming from the bullpen. That's a massive advantage in a conference series. Once TCU goes to their pen, there's a lot of sweaty palms wearing purple. Texas Tech feels good about 6-7 guys out of the pen, and won't hesitate to go there if a starter isn't having his best outing.
McMillon, Floyd, Haveman, Dobbins, Beeter, Queen, Garlett. Those guys are gonna win this series for you.
(One interesting note, Connor Queen is your ERA leader on the season)
Texas Tech wins the series 2 games to 1, and wins the Big 12 championship, again, as Baylor drops 2 of 3 in Stillwater.
Let's go get it.
- Certainly feels like we've watched a different baseball team over the last month. On April 18th, Texas Tech walked in the winning run to drop the opener of the BU series. TTU was 23-13, and 6-7 in conference play.
- Flash forward to May 15th, and TTU has ripped off 11 wins in their last 12 contests, including 8 straight in conference play. And those 8 conference wins came against Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma.
- I would really like this team to come out firing on Thursday. Erase all doubts early on about being rusty, and bury the frogs.
- If there is one thing that is a little concerning about playing postseason baseball, it's how often Texas Tech plays from behind. Jamie Lent had the stat last week during the broadcast, and I didn't get a chance to get the exact stat, but I believe that TTU has trailed in more innings than they've led this season. There is something to be said about resiliency, and always feeling like you're in the game, but I'd like to get off to better starts once the postseason starts.
TCU HORNED FROGS 28-22 (10-11)
- TCU dropped it's home finale last night 10-5 to Lamar, sits at 10-11 in conference play, and have some wondering whether or not the toads have mailed in the season. But do not get comfortable, this team is good, and can beat anybody.
- TCU will anchor their rotation with their ace, Nick Lodolo, and follow him up in the series with Charles King and Brandon Williamson. All three starters have logged over 60 innings, and all three have good stuff.
- TCU's pitching staff beyond those three is a total crap shoot. Like, one total pitcher with an ERA under 4.0 beyond their three weekend starters. In fact, the Frogs have had over 100 innings logged by pitchers with ERA's above 6.0.
- Similar to the Oklahoma series, I think that TTU will need to really focus on getting to the TCU bullpen and then unleashing hell. Knocking the starters out of the game in the 4th or 5th does not give me a ton of confidence that TCU can log 5 solid innings a night from their pen.
- Unlike the Oklahoma Sooners, TCU has also been able to score some runs this year. Their offense is good, and has been let down most of the season by their staff.
- Keep and eye on Lodolo and King on the bump. They have combined for 3 complete games this season. Guenther, Watson, and Rizer are the heartbeat of the order, and it will be very important to keep those guys in check this weekend.
Texas Tech Red Raiders 34-14 (14-7)
- Texas Tech is paced by their offense. They hit .307 as a team, and anyone from 1-9 can win a baseball game on any given night.
- Can Bryce Bonnin be that third weekend starter for TTU moving forward? The stuff is there, but the propensity to unravel quickly concerns me. When he settles into a game, he's borderline unhittable. If he can absorb some consistency from Micah Dallas and Caleb Kilian, he could be a huge cog in how far this team can go.
- Seems like guys up and down the lineup have just taken turns having monster weekends. Jung, Klein, Warren, Neuse, and Masters have all garnered a weekly award at some point this season. Who will explode and have a big weekend against TCU? Give me Gabe Holt.
- Josh Jung moving to shortstop has been a huge stabilizing move for Texas Tech. I know that you lose a little offensive thump with Parker Kelley at 3B over some other guys, but he's been really good at the hot corner. Not a lot of stuff is coming easy for other teams since the defensive switch was made. Heck, throw in the Kurt Wilson move to the OF to that conversation as well.
STATS and NOTES
- Death, taxes, and teams stealing bases at will on the Red Raiders. Texas Tech has allowed 76 successful steals in 94 tries this season. No bueno. Just for comparison, TCU has allowed 27/44 for the season. Slow deliveries from pitchers, lots of stuff in the dirt, not great arms behind the plate? I think all have some affect on that number, but something needs to change.
- TCU has actually hit more homers than the Red Raiders 51-49, but have scored 63 less runs on the season. Texas Tech also out slugs TCU .480 to .447. Not a ton to take from those numbers, but it shows how TTU can really keep scoring runs without relying on home runs.
- TCU has had 69 errors this season, which is higher than most. Against a lineup like Texas Tech throws out there, you just can't afford to give up free runs. If you do, you'll more than likely see some innings blow up on you in a hurry.
- The main difference I see between these two teams? To me, it's the Red Raiders trust in several arms coming from the bullpen. That's a massive advantage in a conference series. Once TCU goes to their pen, there's a lot of sweaty palms wearing purple. Texas Tech feels good about 6-7 guys out of the pen, and won't hesitate to go there if a starter isn't having his best outing.
McMillon, Floyd, Haveman, Dobbins, Beeter, Queen, Garlett. Those guys are gonna win this series for you.
(One interesting note, Connor Queen is your ERA leader on the season)
Texas Tech wins the series 2 games to 1, and wins the Big 12 championship, again, as Baylor drops 2 of 3 in Stillwater.
Let's go get it.
