The ACC heads to the second to final weekend with some key conference matchups in Charlottesville, VA and Clemson SC.
UNC at UVA
The Tar Heels invade the Hitting Wahoos of UVA for a big ACC Clash. This should be an excellent series with both teams having tremendous staffs. UNC is led by All-Everything Andrew Miller (10-0 1.91 ERA) who will face off against Sean Doolittle (8-1 1.99 ERA) in Game 1. Saturday’s game will be televised on the Regional Sports Networks with Robert Woodard (5-1 3.21) facing off against Jacob Thompson (9-1 2.39). In the series finale, Daniel Bard (6-2 3.69) will face Mike Ballard (6-2 3.01).
We predict that UVA takes 2 out of 3 and loses the first game of the series against Miller.
FSU at Clemson
The Seminoles head to Clemson’s Doug Kingsmore Stadium for an important series for seeding in the ACC and NCAA tournaments. FSU and Clemson both changed up the order in their staff for the weekend series. In game 1, FSU will send Tyler Chambliss (10-3 2.01 ERA) to face Stephen Faris (6-2 2.69). Faris had some struggles this season on the mound with a horrible performance at Boston College where he only went 1.2 innings and had very little control. If he finds his control, He should be fine against the Hitting Noles. Game 2 is the best matchup of the weekend. Bryan Henry (9-2 1.88 ERA) will face Josh Cribb (8-0 2.66) in a battle of the aces. Cribb has pitched well in the entire season while Henry has pitched well against the weaker teams in the ACC but has struggled against the likes of UNC and Miami. FSU will start for Game 3 Mark Sauls (1-0 2.70 That is not a misprint) against Tommy-John surgery phenom Jason Berken (7-3 2.77). Berken is a hard-throwing and fast working right hander who topped out against Boston College at 94 MPH.
I predict that Clemson will sweep FSU.
Duke at GA Tech
Tech will sweep the Blue Devils
NC State at Va Tech
NC State will take 2 out of 3
Miami hosts Wake Forest
Wake Forest takes 2 out of 3.
As always feel free to email me at bpfoley2004@yahoo.com with any hot topics or questions.
