Cats vs Hawgs (Sunday)

[Big_Blue_1018]

I am not sure about that. I saw plenty of talent on the UK Team, maybe the offensive numbers are somewhat inflated due to the schedule I don't know, but I saw a team with a good approach at the plate.

What I don't understand is the pitching rotation. You all know your team and I don't, but at this point in the season, unless the situation calls for it or if a pitcher is limited due to coming off an injury, pitchers should be able to throw many more pitches than what Mingione allowed. Guilfoil was dominant, why he was used on Friday in a 6-1 game baffled me.

Get the pitching rotation straightened out and catch the baseball, and I think the Cats can win plenty of conference games. Good luck the rest of the way!

There is talent on this team. That’s never been a question. The problem is the coaching staff. The pitching staff this weekend was just weird. Cotto being pulled yesterday and then Bosma today in a similar situation. I just don’t get it. And I’ll say the stats are inflated because UK has played some very bad teams. I said in another thread, UK played with fire early and was very close to having 4 maybe 5 more losses. I think this weekend really exposed who UK really is.

 

[ThreeHogNight]

There is talent on this team. That’s never been a question. The problem is the coaching staff. The pitching staff this weekend was just weird. Cotto being pulled yesterday and then Bosma today in a similar situation. I just don’t get it. And I’ll say the stats are inflated because UK has played some very bad teams. I said in another thread, UK played with fire early and was very close to having 4 maybe 5 more losses. I think this weekend really exposed who UK really is.

I have been saying it in this forum for years, Kentucky Baseball deserves much better than Mingione. Take a Brinks truck to Louisville and make Dan McDonnell say no.

Again, I don't know the the inside details of your team, but the pitching rotation was definitely weird to me. The basic scouting report on Arkansas is throw left handers against us, we can usually hit power right handers but we certainly didn't even touch Guilfoil Friday.

Didn't Kentucky have a very good starting pitcher several years ago that Mingione would start on Sunday instead of Friday? I never understood that, in my opinion, you go best on best on Friday, hopefully win a pitching duel and take your chances on Saturday/Sunday and maybe win the series.

 

[SeanCain]

I have been saying it in this forum for years, Kentucky Baseball deserves much better than Mingione. Take a Brinks truck to Louisville and make Dan McDonnell say no.

Again, I don't know the the inside details of your team, but the pitching rotation was definitely weird to me. The basic scouting report on Arkansas is throw left handers against us, we can usually hit power right handers but we certainly didn't even touch Guilfoil Friday.

Didn't Kentucky have a very good starting pitcher several years ago that Mingione would start on Sunday instead of Friday? I never understood that, in my opinion, you go best on best on Friday, hopefully win a pitching duel and take your chances on Saturday/Sunday and maybe win the series.

I’m not sure UK administration would pay to get a proven winner. Outside of basketball, the formula is win first and you will get support.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I have been saying it in this forum for years, Kentucky Baseball deserves much better than Mingione. Take a Brinks truck to Louisville and make Dan McDonnell say no.

Again, I don't know the the inside details of your team, but the pitching rotation was definitely weird to me. The basic scouting report on Arkansas is throw left handers against us, we can usually hit power right handers but we certainly didn't even touch Guilfoil Friday.

Didn't Kentucky have a very good starting pitcher several years ago that Mingione would start on Sunday instead of Friday? I never understood that, in my opinion, you go best on best on Friday, hopefully win a pitching duel and take your chances on Saturday/Sunday and maybe win the series.

I think at one point we had Thompson, a first round draft pick pitching on Sunday. 2019 I think. Largely happened because we failed to keep, recruit and/or develop any other weekend quality starters. That's been an issue throughout for Mingione. I'm still not sure this staff has an SEC ace pitcher, and we've not had one under Mingione that wasn't recruited by our previous coach.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

I have been saying it in this forum for years, Kentucky Baseball deserves much better than Mingione. Take a Brinks truck to Louisville and make Dan McDonnell say no.

Again, I don't know the the inside details of your team, but the pitching rotation was definitely weird to me. The basic scouting report on Arkansas is throw left handers against us, we can usually hit power right handers but we certainly didn't even touch Guilfoil Friday.

Didn't Kentucky have a very good starting pitcher several years ago that Mingione would start on Sunday instead of Friday? I never understood that, in my opinion, you go best on best on Friday, hopefully win a pitching duel and take your chances on Saturday/Sunday and maybe win the series.

I dont think McDonnell would ever come to UK regardless of the money. Kentucky in the SEC is a laughing stock. We played in a glorified high school stadium for 50 years even though I loved the cliff. Our support from the administration has been laughable at best. Even with Barnhartt here. Yeah, he hired Cohen but wouldnt make the necassary changes with Henderson and Im afraid hes going down that same path with Minge. Hell, UK can barely get a sniff out of the local media here so why would any legitimate coach want to come here. I love UK baseball. Was a season ticket holder for 11 years. But its getting harder and harder.

 

[Tskware]

Here is a stat for you. We got beat 38-13 in four games this week, and strangely, every single game was almost exactly a 3-1 ratio: 20-7; 6-2; 9-3 and 3-1. At least we are consistent!!!

By the way, we gave those 38 runs in 32 innings, opponents had four less innings at bat.

That is some bad ish there.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I'm more concerned with the 7 errors, which was really closer to probably 10 errors.

We also hit .202 as a team. Oddly, felt a bit like what we expected at the start of the year. Pitching would be decent but hitting would struggle. We saw that this weekend.

Just not the ideal start. Dont think next week is any easier with UGA.

 

[backinky2018]

Very discouraging. Arkansas is a really good program, but this arkansas program is not going to win the SEC or go to the CWS this year. No reason to go over there and not be competitive. This is going to be a long season.

 

[CockyCat3]

I'm more concerned with the 7 errors, which was really closer to probably 10 errors.

We also hit .202 as a team. Oddly, felt a bit like what we expected at the start of the year. Pitching would be decent but hitting would struggle. We saw that this weekend.

Just not the ideal start. Dont think next week is any easier with UGA.

I agree, we've got to clean it up in the field for sure. That also leads to confidence issues and leaks over to the other side of the ball. Makes a guy push more at the plate if he is trying to make up for not making plays in the field. Estep, Plastiak and Harris have been great at the plate and all had a rough time in the field this weekend, and coincidentally enough a rough weekend at the plate.

I really think a lot of you are making too big of a deal of this weekend. Arkansas is the #3 team in the country. To say it won't get easier hosting UGA than playing at Arkansas is a stretch. Nothing is going to be easy in the SEC, but if you asked me, I'd take UGA at home over Arky away 100 out of 100 times.

I really think our pitchers showed up this weekend. Bosma looked like an SEC ace in the first 2 innings today. Need more than 2 innings for sure, but coming off of not pitching last week to mow thru 1-6 of the #3 team shows he has the stuff. The first 2 starters this weekend are tough to evaluate because we were just so bad in the field behind them.

It definitely could have been better for an SEC opener, but I dont think it's the end of the world. I think UGA is really going to be a good evaluation of where we are. I just don't think there would have been a worse place to open up SEC play this year than at Arkansas. Tenn maybe.

I think we have shown we can hit, we've shown we can pitch, and we've shown we can field, we just haven't done all of them in the same game yet. I'm holding out hope it will click this weekend. Sweep UGA at home and we are right back in the mix!

 

[Comebakatz3]

I agree, we've got to clean it up in the field for sure. That also leads to confidence issues and leaks over to the other side of the ball. Makes a guy push more at the plate if he is trying to make up for not making plays in the field. Estep, Plastiak and Harris have been great at the plate and all had a rough time in the field this weekend, and coincidentally enough a rough weekend at the plate.

I really think a lot of you are making too big of a deal of this weekend. Arkansas is the #3 team in the country. To say it won't get easier hosting UGA than playing at Arkansas is a stretch. Nothing is going to be easy in the SEC, but if you asked me, I'd take UGA at home over Arky away 100 out of 100 times.

I really think our pitchers showed up this weekend. Bosma looked like an SEC ace in the first 2 innings today. Need more than 2 innings for sure, but coming off of not pitching last week to mow thru 1-6 of the #3 team shows he has the stuff. The first 2 starters this weekend are tough to evaluate because we were just so bad in the field behind them.

It definitely could have been better for an SEC opener, but I dont think it's the end of the world. I think UGA is really going to be a good evaluation of where we are. I just don't think there would have been a worse place to open up SEC play this year than at Arkansas. Tenn maybe.

I think we have shown we can hit, we've shown we can pitch, and we've shown we can field, we just haven't done all of them in the same game yet. I'm holding out hope it will click this weekend. Sweep UGA at home and we are right back in the mix!

You certainly never lack for positive thinking.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

I agree, we've got to clean it up in the field for sure. That also leads to confidence issues and leaks over to the other side of the ball. Makes a guy push more at the plate if he is trying to make up for not making plays in the field. Estep, Plastiak and Harris have been great at the plate and all had a rough time in the field this weekend, and coincidentally enough a rough weekend at the plate.

I really think a lot of you are making too big of a deal of this weekend. Arkansas is the #3 team in the country. To say it won't get easier hosting UGA than playing at Arkansas is a stretch. Nothing is going to be easy in the SEC, but if you asked me, I'd take UGA at home over Arky away 100 out of 100 times.

I really think our pitchers showed up this weekend. Bosma looked like an SEC ace in the first 2 innings today. Need more than 2 innings for sure, but coming off of not pitching last week to mow thru 1-6 of the #3 team shows he has the stuff. The first 2 starters this weekend are tough to evaluate because we were just so bad in the field behind them.

It definitely could have been better for an SEC opener, but I dont think it's the end of the world. I think UGA is really going to be a good evaluation of where we are. I just don't think there would have been a worse place to open up SEC play this year than at Arkansas. Tenn maybe.

I think we have shown we can hit, we've shown we can pitch, and we've shown we can field, we just haven't done all of them in the same game yet. I'm holding out hope it will click this weekend. Sweep UGA at home and we are right back in the mix!

My friend I wish I could have your positivity. But I’m not there yet.

 

[CockyCat3]

Right, I mean, obviously you never want to be swept by anyone, but I think of all the series, being swept by Arkansas at their place in the first series of the SEC is about the time I could stomach it most. It just sucks that the schedule worked out like that. But I just don't think we can be talking about how the season is over because we lost 3 to the defending conference champs, and #3 in the country. That is a GOOD team. And yep, if you want to be a good team you have to beat a good team, so I would have much rather taken one from them. But, the season isn't over by any stretch.

I do really wish we had something figured out more with our rotation. I'm just really struggling to understand how they leave Stupp out there for 92 pitches but yank Cotto in the 2nd and Bosma in the 3rd. That is the part that has me the most unsettled. I think we will work through some things and we will field. I think we will hit. I think we will pitch too, but entering the SEC schedule it doesn't feel good to not be more solidified on the rotation. Although SC went into the weekend series with Texas a couple weekends ago with "Sanders, TBD, TBD" as the 3 starters for the weekend and still won the series, so I guess anything can happen.

I think the answer is to stay as positive as we can and cheer them on. I think they still have the potential to be a special team, but a lot is going to hinge on how they bounce back from this weekend. Do they get deflated, or do they get pissed?

 

[Comebakatz3]

We need to win at least 14 games to go to NCAA tournament. We play 4 more top 10 teams. Let’s just pretend we don’t win any of those series, but we steal a win in each. We would then need to win 10 games out of 15. So, we’d have to win every series against Missouri, South Carolina, Auburn, Georgia, and TAMU. Obviously, you sweep any of those and it means you have to win one less series. However, sweeps for UK are rare… we’ve only had 3 SEC sweeps in 41 series under Mingone and 2 of the 3 came in 2017. We also have to avoid getting swept again. Getting swept again means that we have to win an even less likely series, or we have to get a sweep. So, the margins are razor thin and they only get thinner when you get swept like we did this past weekend.

It isn't impossible, but it really cannot happen again if we hope to get to 14.

 

[Tskware]

A couple of wins over Louisville would help too, especially if we are 13-17 in the SEC. I honestly don't see this team going 14-13 from here to the end of the season against 27 SEC teams, would surprise the living heck out of me.

 

[CockyCat3]

I see a realistic scenario where we go into the last series against Auburn needing to win 2 out of 3 to get to 14 wins.

Win 2 against UGA
Win 1 against Ole Miss
Win 2 at A&M
Win 2 at Mizzou
Win 1 vs Vandy
Win 2 at Florida
Win 0 vs Tennessee
Win 2 at SC
Win 2 vs Auburn

That gets us to 14 wins, and I dont think it is impossible to think it could happen. Maybe we sweep Mizzou and only win 1 against Florida or UGA. I could also see us sweeping SC or Auburn depending how the rest of their season goes. SC is down bad this year. I have no idea how they beat Texas in 2, but they aren't good. Even if we are only at 8 or 9 wins going into those last 2 series I don't count us out. If we could win 5 of those and win a couple in the tournament we may have a shot.

 

[Comebakatz3]

A couple of wins over Louisville would help too, especially if we are 13-17 in the SEC. I honestly don't see this team going 14-13 from here to the end of the season against 27 SEC teams, would surprise the living heck out of me.

Maybe it could help, but I’m not convinced. It seems pretty hardline that it is 14 SEC wins. Look back to 2018. We took 2 of 3 from Texas Tech and went 1-1 against Louisville while also beating Indiana, who were a 2 seed in the tournament. We beat Houston, a 3 seed. Both of those teams made the regional final. So, we had a lot of good wins and 13 SEC wins. We were the lowest RPI team to be left out, they actually skipped over us and took teams with higher RPIs. So, it seems like the huge key is 14 wins in the league. Almost feels like nothing else matters.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I see a realistic scenario where we go into the last series against Auburn needing to win 2 out of 3 to get to 14 wins.

Win 2 against UGA
Win 1 against Ole Miss
Win 2 at A&M
Win 2 at Mizzou
Win 1 vs Vandy
Win 2 at Florida
Win 0 vs Tennessee
Win 2 at SC
Win 2 vs Auburn

That gets us to 14 wins, and I dont think it is impossible to think it could happen. Maybe we sweep Mizzou and only win 1 against Florida or UGA. I could also see us sweeping SC or Auburn depending how the rest of their season goes. SC is down bad this year. I have no idea how they beat Texas in 2, but they aren't good. Even if we are only at 8 or 9 wins going into those last 2 series I don't count us out. If we could win 5 of those and win a couple in the tournament we may have a shot.

Winning 6 of the 9 remaining series does not feel realistic to me.

 

[Aday117]

Not going to give up just yet after being swept on the road to a really solid team. I just don’t think we’ve shown all that much this season and we’re 20 games in now so not sure I see that changing. Pitching and defense needs to do a 180 to have a chance.