CBD Column: SEC Weekend Preview (May 19th-21st)

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We enter the last weekend of action in SEC play as we see a three team tie in the top of the SEC Eastern Division while all six teams in the SEC Western Division are within two games of the division lead. The Eastern Division tie sees Florida, South Carolina and Vanderbilt all tied with 20-7 conference records with South Carolina winning two out of three games against Florida and Vanderbilt. Florida defeated Vanderbilt this past weekend in two out of three games. The Western Division sees a four way tie at the top of the division at 13-14 between Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Auburn. Ole Miss is only one game behind that tie at 12-15 while LSU rounds out the division with a 11-16 record.

AUBURN (28-25, 13-14 SEC) at TENNESSEE (23-28, 5-22 SEC)

Thursday AU Jr. RHP Jon Luke Jacobs (1-3, 3.44 ERA) vs UT Jr. LHP Steven Gruver (4-7, 4.08 ERA)
Friday AU Jr. RHP Derek Varnadore (5-2, 3.60 ERA) vs UT So. RHP Nick Blount (1-4, 5.52 ERA)
Saturday AU TBA vs UT TBA

What to Watch For: Tennessee has struggled throughout the SEC season with only a 5-22 mark in conference play while being on a current eight game losing streak in conference play. The last Vols victory in SEC play came back on April 22nd.

Prediction: Auburn 3-0

KENTUCKY (24-28, 7-20 SEC) at FLORIDA (39-14, 20-7 SEC)

Thursday UK So. LHP Taylor Rogers (3-6, 5.01 ERA) vs UF So. LHP Brian Johnson (7-3, 3.38 ERA)
Friday UK Jr. RHP Alex Meyer (6-5, 3.06 ERA) vs UF So. RHP Hudson Randall (8-2, 2.14 ERA)
Saturday UK TBA vs UF Fr. RHP Karsten Whitson (6-0, 2.51 ERA)

What to Watch For: Kentucky’s Alex Meyer has been excellent in his last two starts including a victory over Vanderbilt two weeks ago. Can he continue his dominance this week in Gainesville which will likely be his last appearance in a UK uniform?

Prediction: Florida 3-0

SOUTH CAROLINA (42-11, 20-7 SEC) at ALABAMA (31-22, 13-14 SEC)

Thursday SC Jr. LHP Michael Roth (10-2, 1.35 ERA) vs UA Sr. RHP Nathan Kilcrease (5-4, 3.74 ERA)
Friday SC Fr. RHP Forrest Koumas (5-0, 3.17 ERA) vs UA Jr. LHP Adam Morgan (5-4, 3.89 ERA)
Saturday SC So. RHP Colby Holmes (5-2, 3.70 ERA) vs UA TBA

What to Watch For: Alabama is currently tied for first place in the SEC Western Division and really needs a solid series victory to help out their NCAA bid potential. They are playing on their home field and it will be a great atmosphere in Tuscaloosa. Can the Gamecocks handle the pressure?

Prediction: Alabama 2-1

OLE MISS (29-23, 12-15 SEC) at ARKANSAS (34-17, 13-14 SEC)

Thursday OM Jr. LHP Matt Crouse (6-4, 3.56 ERA) vs ARK So. RHP DJ Baxendale (8-1, 1.57 ERA)
Friday OM Jr. RHP David Goforth (4-7, 5.03 ERA) vs ARK So. LHP Randall Fant (2-3, 3.58 ERA)
Saturday OM Jr. LHP Austin Wright (5-4, 4.73 ERA) vs ARK TBA

What to Watch For: Both Ole Miss and Arkansas are right in the middle of the Divisional race in the Western Division with both schools needing a series victory. Can the Rebels go into Baum Stadium and win a series in one of the toughest environments in the country?

Prediction: Arkansas 2-1

VANDERBILT (42-8, 20-7 SEC) at GEORGIA (27-26, 15-12 SEC)

Thursday VU Jr. RHP Sonny Gray (9-3, 1.91 ERA) vs UGA Jr. RHP Michael Palazzone (8-3, 3.09 ERA)
Friday VU Jr. LHP Grayson Garvin (11-1, 2.08 ERA) vs UGA So. LHP Alex Wood (4-6, 4.38 ERA)
Saturday VU Sr. RHP Taylor Hill (4-0, 3.14 ERA) vs UGA So. LHP Blake Dieterich (2-3, 2.95 ERA)

What to Watch For: Vanderbilt is coming off a tough series loss to Florida last weekend while Georgia comes into the game looking to help out their potential NCAA bid. Will the Commodores have a let down against a determined Bulldogs squad?

Prediction: Georgia 2-1

LSU (34-19, 11-16 SEC) at MISSISSIPPI STATE (33-19, 13-14 SEC)

Thursday LSU Fr. RHP Kevin Gausman (4-6, 3.73 ERA) vs MSU So. LHP Luis Pollorena (6-3, 3.02 ERA)
Friday LSU Fr. RHP Kurt McCune (7-3, 3.30 ERA) vs MSU Jr. LHP Nick Routt (2-2, 3.86 ERA)
Saturday LSU Fr. RHP Ryan Eades (3-1, 4.86 ERA) vs MSU TBA

What to Watch For: LSU is on the verge of missing the SEC Tournament again but have a chance this weekend to move up into the Top 8 with a series victory at Mississippi State. Both schools need the wins though to get to Hoover and possibly get an NCAA bid.

Prediction: MSU 2-1