Thursday pitchers

[commadore]

So in the post game Corbs said that Futrell would NOT be pitching today. So will it Moore? Cunningham? I feel that is Pretty much giving in unless Owen is going to start. Comments?

[charlestonalum]

So in the post game Corbs said that Futrell would NOT be pitching today. So will it Moore? Cunningham? I feel that is Pretty much giving in unless Owen is going to start. Comments?

It is not "giving in," it is filling Florida with doubt, uncertainty and inhibiting their planning. It is actually called good coaching.

[roanoke]

Last night’s win was huge. We beat a ranked team on a big streak - and this should cement a top-8 seed. It reinforces us as a top 4 in the SEC despite the late swoon - and every one close behind us has lost… Aub, Vols, SC…

With pitching banged up, and Futrell coming off 100+ pitches, I hope we start Cunningham. Horn has been hot lately - but I suspect he’s earned some rest too…? There is certainly no need to start Owen or Futrell today.

Tomorrow I hope Owen is healthy enough to throw 3 or 4 innings. Florida is very good. I see no reason to throw him immediately into a gator pit today - we need his arm sound and his confidence high in the regional.

We are now playing with house money. We won’t burn regional arms - but we may keep them fresh.

[MrMemorial]

I'm thinking Cunningham on a short hook with Greyson and Graysen and Horn in the wings. Maybe if we can eek one out vs that Gator bunch, then Futrell or Owen with Maldo closing in the next, Ginther as the set-up man.

I would love to see Ginther get a start to be honest. We really are having to ration pitchers.

[roanoke]

Ginther is the wild card here. He had a very strong start last outing. But he’s such a good setup man - I’d hate to mess that up. On the other hand, Ginther is a lefty and Florida’s challenges with lefties are well documented.

He’s certainly proven he is capable if called upon.

I might add, Boki’s performance last night was critical. He threw strikes and kept guys off the bases - exactly what the doctor ordered. If Owen and Holton can’t go in the regional, I think Boki passed his audition to start a game. Reilly, a little inexplicably, is a great mid innings guy - but starting messes him up. Still, sterling outing and a critically important piece of the puzzle.

[HopsLikeHolwerda]

I'd also love to see Ginther here. Love the way he looks right now. Could be wrong, but that's who I'd go with.

I'd give my right arm to have a "Mason Hickman"-type available right now. Or a Richie Goodenow.

[KudzuLeague]

Is there a reason at this point to use arms now, rather than waiting for the NCAA tournament to begin? What do we gain if we win any more games in the SECT?

[charlestonalum]

Is there a reason at this point to use arms now, rather than waiting for the NCAA tournament to begin? What do we gain if we win any more games in the SECT?

experience and learning to win in pressurized situations - that is what I hitters need - agree that the pitchers do not need to be stressed. If we could perfect clutch hitting and gain confidence it would do us a world of good for the NCAA.

[Levon]

I'd also love to see Ginther here. Love the way he looks right now. Could be wrong, but that's who I'd go with.

I'd give my right arm to have a "Mason Hickman"-type available right now. Or a Richie Goodenow.

Mason Hickman was perhaps my all-time favorite Vandy pitcher. Nothing spectacular, just rock-steady. His game-3 win over Michigan is my favorite pitching performance by a Vandy pitcher. First 3 Michigan hitters got hits, he's down 1-0 with runners on 1st & 3rd and hasn't thrown a good pitch yet. He proceeded to shut them down for the next 6 innings or so (I don't recall exactly how long), while the bats went to work and completly broke Michigan's spirit. Loved that guy!

[cjdore]

I am thinking it may just be Hunter Owen. If he is healthy enough to go Corbs will want him to get early game so he will be rested for next week.

[dore74]

Other than $ and maybe a second chance (once in a while) for an underperforming team I don’t get the reason for the conference baseball tournaments—and in particular their double elimination aspect. The post season NCAA tournament is a sufficient challenge. After the gauntlet of a 30 game SEC season, and mid-week games to boot, what good comes from it.

I get it that double elimination is suited to baseball’s single game fickleness. But based on this pitching conversation—and I’m sure others on other team’s boards—is playing in five games at this point in the season a cost efficient thing to do if winning it all in Omaha with a healthy squad is the goal?

[Ndorefin]

I would be surprised if we see Futrell in this tourney. If we lose to UF, he could pitch a few innings Friday, but if we win, we won’t play until Saturday and that’s kind of late while looking forward to the NCAAs. From here I don’t see any of our starters going long unless they are pitching a shutout….no sense in wearing out arms.

[historybill]

Other than $ and maybe a second chance (once in a while) for an underperforming team I don’t get the reason for the conference baseball tournaments—and in particular their double elimination aspect. The post season NCAA tournament is a sufficient challenge. After the gauntlet of a 30 game SEC season, and mid-week games to boot, what good comes from it.

I get it that double elimination is suited to baseball’s single game fickleness. But based on this pitching conversation—and I’m sure others on other team’s boards—is playing in five games at this point in the season a cost efficient thing to do if winning it all in Omaha with a healthy squad is the goal?

If it really is true that not only are all the SEC teams already locked into the tournament, but their PLACES are already locked in, then I guess this is just fodder to fill space on the SEC network -- and fodder that practically no students are attending.

At least it's after school is in session, I suppose.

[AuricGoldfinger]

The more I've thought about it, the more I'd like to see the SEC go to single elimination.

I'm not optimistic, however.

[MrMemorial]

The more I've thought about it, the more I'd like to see the SEC go to single elimination.

I'm not optimistic, however.

The more I've thought about it, the more I'd like to see Mr.Memorial go to Maui for a long weekend with Sofía Vergara.

I'm not optimistic, however.

[cjdore]

These double elimination tournaments after the first day are at end of season to get our teams READY for the NCAA.

[DivergentDore]

These double elimination tournaments after the first day are at end of season to get our teams READY for the NCAA.

So true. No amount of regular season games can equip a player for postseason intensity.

[VU1970]

House money! Love it.

Last night’s win was huge. We beat a ranked team on a big streak - and this should cement a top-8 seed. It reinforces us as a top 4 in the SEC despite the late swoon - and every one close behind us has lost… Aub, Vols, SC…

With pitching banged up, and Futrell coming off 100+ pitches, I hope we start Cunningham. Horn has been hot lately - but I suspect he’s earned some rest too…? There is certainly no need to start Owen or Futrell today.

Tomorrow I hope Owen is healthy enough to throw 3 or 4 innings. Florida is very good. I see no reason to throw him immediately into a gator pit today - we need his arm sound and his confidence high in the regional.

We are now playing with house money. We won’t burn regional arms - but we may keep them fresh.

[geeznotagain]

The ONLY $ I'd bet on tonight's game is house money. I am afraid the Gators have our number this year.

[MrMemorial]

When the announcer said "and nobody up in the Vanderbilt bullpen" when the bases were loaded...bad omen.