Don’t be surprised if the nightcap game (Auburn vs. Bama has the SEC’s 2nd-best ERA, while Kentucky boasts the league’s best defensive stats. Both teams tend toward small ball, and while the Tide are one of the hottest teams, Kentucky has been superb in close games. Kentucky, as the 8-9 game, seems like a good one. Is that a winning formula for Hoover (and beyond)? Well, Hagen Smith figures to be good for one standout game, and if Arkansas’ pitching depth can follow him, they could be the ones to slow UF, LSU, and Vandy at the plate.

Arkansas plays solid fundamental baseball and avoids costly mistakes. Arkansas is 10th in the SEC in batting average, 9th in home runs and 8th in ERA.īut the Hogs’ 17 saves lead the SEC as does their double-play total. But the Hogs have been perhaps the league’s most consistent team, if not its most exciting. Or is Arkansas’s steady hand going to win out?Īrkansas lost its past 2 games and thus claims only a split of the regular-season title. They have plenty of help from a nasty rotation of Caglianone, Brandon Sproat, and Hurston Waldrep, with Brandon Neely (SEC-high 10 saves) pitching well out of the bullpen. With UF looking to win 4 games in 5 days, they figure to see well into some SEC bullpens, and Langford and Caglianone might just slug UF into the title. UF’s power duo of Jac Caglianone (28 HRs, most in SEC) and Wyatt Langford (.399) can hold their own against LSU’s dynamic duo. With 14 wins against Top-25 foes, only one SEC team can claim more victories over ranked teams (Vandy has 15). Either Alabama squad could surprise.įlorida hasn’t won the SEC Tournament since 2015, but they hit Hoover as the top overall seed. The Tide are kind of a lite version of Arkansas - solid on the mound, good if not overpowering at the plate, but a solid team that doesn’t seem to make many mistakes. Controlling hitters is where Alabama could surprise. Each went 8-2 over their final 10 SEC games and both climbed from the lower rungs of the SEC into the thick of the league battle.Īuburn struggled early on the mound but has improved significantly over the past month and seemingly presents a real threat to the league’s heavy hitters. Well, the 2 hottest teams heading into the SEC Tournament are Auburn and Alabama. Playing on a short turnaround, LSU will have to find some pitching depth or Hoover will continue their late-season struggles (just 5-5 in their last 10 games). Hurd also leads LSU in saves, so the bullpen isn’t exactly stellar. Ty Floyd has been merely OK (4.59 ERA), but the Tigers’ most common 3rd starters, Thatcher Hurd and Christian Little, each have ERAs over 6.50. But while Paul Skenes has been the nation’s top pitcher, it gets dicey after he exits.

Louisiana longshot series