D1baseball.com came out with its projected field for the NCAA Baseball tournament and the defending champion LSU Tigers were not among the 64 teams in the tourney.
At 26-16 overall, 5-13 in the SEC, the Tigers need more wins to get on the right side of the bubble.
That opportunity presents itself this weekend as LSU hosts Auburn. If you think LSU’s season has been rough, Auburn’s is worse. The Plainsman are 2-16 in the SEC.
LSU Coach Jay Johnson says Auburn has played a very tough schedule. LSU played a stretch of four straight weekends against Top 10 foes, Auburn has played five straight SEC series against teams ranked in the Top 11.
Auburn has really struggled on the mound. They have a team ERA of 5.94. They don’t strike out many hitters, only 348 and that’s second fewest in the SEC.
Sophomore righthander Dylan Watts has emerged as Auburn’s Friday night pitcher. He’s started the last three Fridays after strictly pitching out of the bullpen. Watts has an ERA of 5.66, but had his best start last Friday, allowing two earned runs in four innings against Mississippi State.
LSU is once again starting Gage Jump on Friday. He’s coming off a career-high 14 strikeout performance against Missouri last week. Luke Holman will start on Saturday after suffering a loss last week in Columbia. Sunday’s starter is to be announced.
LSU fans are thinking of sweeping, but one thing the Tigers can’t afford to do is lose this series, or they can forget about making the NCAA Tournament.
Game 1 Friday 6:30 PM (On the Bet 1350am, 92.9fm and the Audacy Ap)
Game 2 Saturday 6:00 PM (On the Bet 1350am, 92.9fm and the Audacy Ap)
Game 3 Sunday 1:00 PM (On WWL AM&FM, WWL.com and the Audacy Ap)