The 8th ranked LSU Tigers look to rebound after losing last weekend’s series against Texas.
LSU’s weekend rotation stays the same, despite some struggles from Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores. And all eyes will be on the Tigers bullpen after several relievers had trouble throwing strikes in Saturday’s loss to the Longhorns.
I would be surprised if we see freshman William Schmidt in a high leverage situation after three straight outings where he’s allowed runs.
We could see mid-week starter Jaden Noot out of the bullpen. His last four appearances have been good.
Offensively the Tigers lead the SEC in team batting average with a .338 mark. They lead the league in doubles with 68. The Tigers are second in on-base percentage and third in runs scored with 262.
Mississippi State should have a sense of urgency as the Bulldogs are off to a 1-5 start in league play. They were swept by Texas and dropped two of three to 10th ranked Oklahoma.
The Bulldogs have good team numbers. They are 5th in the SEC in hitting with a team batting average of .314. State’s team ERA is 3.39, fourth best in the SEC.
State ranks third nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio and fewest hits allowed per nine innings (4.54). They also sit fourth in the country in strikeouts per nine innings (13.4)
Pitching matchups
Thursday
LSU Sophomore LH Kade Anderson 5-0 2.65 ERA
Anderson pitched like an ace last week, two runs in six innings.
MSU Junior RH Evan Siary 0-0 2.31 ERA
State has switched up its rotation because of the short week. Siary has made just one start and gave up three runs in three innings last week against OU.
Friday
LSU Junior RH Anthony Eyanson 3-0 4.50 ERA
Eyanson has allowed eight runs in eight innings of work in the SEC.
MSU Senior LH Pico Kohn 4-0 2.52 ERA
Reigning SEC Pitcher of the Week after throwing six shutout innings against the Sooners.
Saturday
LSU Sophomore RH Chase Shores 4-1 4.88 ERA
Opposing hitters are hitting .300 against Shores.
MSU Senior RH Karson Ligon 2-3 4.76 ERA
Gave up five runs in five innings against Oklahoma.
The Bulldogs also have several quality arms out of the bullpen in Kevin Mannell, Luke Dotson, Mikhai Grant and Ryan McPherson.
Bats to Watch for Mississippi State
DH Noah Sullivan
10th in the SEC with a .495 batting average. Transfer from USC-Upstate
3B Ace Reese
.302 batting average, 8 home runs and 32 RBIs. Transfer from Houston.
1B Hunter Hines
4-year player at Mississippi State who has 58 career home runs. Received 1st team All-SEC preseason honors over LSU’s Jared Jones. Hines had a good series last weekend against Oklahoma.
Game 1: 7 PM
Game 2: 6:30 PM
Game 3: 2 PM.
Rain moving into Baton Rouge Friday night and rain chances remain high on Saturday.
