appyvol's keys to beating LSU

#1
appyvol

appyvol

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#1
Most of this is just common sense, but here's my keys to the game.

1.) No free passes.

Walks and errors have been an Achilles heel for us this season. It seems like we walk the leadoff man more than any team I've ever seen. I don't have numbers to back this up, but we can't afford that against a powerful LSU lineup. We must get ahead early. First pitch strikes!!!

2.) Productivity from the 5-8 slots.

Lance is strong in the 9 hole, and we have as good as any RBI men in the top of the lineup with Nick, VJAX, and Rogers. But 5-8, especially Bartlett, have been extremely disappointing. We have to put the ball in play and force the issue.

3.) Aggressive base running.

Send the runners early and often, especially Nick and VJAX.

It's going to take runs to beat LSU. With the lack of production in the 5-8 slots, it's worth the risk to get them in scoring position in case we actually manage a few hits there. Nick is 24-28 on stolen bases, let's take our chances and force the issue. I'd like to see some more hit and runs at the top of the line up as well. Let's leave it all on the table.

4.) Roll it.

Double plays have been our saving grace in many innings this year. We'll need at least 3 tomorrow IMO.

5.) I've already said it, but NO ERRORS.

Please please please make the routine plays.

6.) JUST WIN!!

Go Big Orange!
 
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#2
#2
1. Great point and one reason why UT is not a .500 team in the SEC. The pitchers pitch from behind in the count too much which lead to walks and extra base hits.
2. Offense dies after the Vols get through the 9-4 rotation. Would consider going back to Senzel at SS and putting a hitter at 3B. Hard to have so many automatic outs in a row. At any rate, the hitters in 5-8 need to be able to take pitches, extend ABs, and get a bunt down routinely.
3. Not sure I agree with this. This team cannot afford to give up outs on the base paths. Also, you want to get through the 5-8 slots in the order as quickly as possible to get back to the top. If you get a runner on, it just gets you there quicker.
4. Hitting cut off men and holding runners on are keys to keeping the runners on first base to set this up.
5. I'd add "play smart" to your #5.
6. "Hard to beat a team four times in a row." Well, at least it sounds good to say that after LSU swept the Vols. Having someone from the bullpen step up would go along ways to help with the "just win." Probably won't have Soto available in the opener. Hard to come back from two appearances like that on two days rest.
 
#5
#5
LSU going with a Johnny Wholestaff tomorrow. Saving their ace for UF. Basically treating this game like we would a mid-week matchup.
 
#7
#7
Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersD1 29m29 minutes ago
Kendall Rogers Retweeted Chandler Rome
Very intrigued to see how this experiment goes tomorrow against Tennessee. #Vols will throw the kitchen sink at #LSU.


Chandler Rome @Chandler_Rome
Jake Latz will start for #LSU against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament tomorrow, Paul Mainieri says.
2 retweets 4 likes
 
#8
#8
Interesting call.

Latz is not your standard freshman with only 3.1 innings.

He was drafted in the 11th round out of high school in 2014, one of the highest drafted guys not to sign that year. Missed his true freshman year to an elbow issue. Was mowing down LSU hitters last fall until the elbow issue re-surfaced. Got a non-conference start in April, gave up 2 runs in 1.1 innings and had a sore elbow afterwards. After a month off, he had two scoreless 1-inning relief appearances within the past week or so, including vs. Florida.

Manieri must think his elbow is coming around, but Latz won't go deep. He's a high-value guy they will not push too hard.
 
#9
#9
Some of the SEC teams use the SEC Tournament to fine tune their pitching staff to prepare for the NCAA Regionals. LSU is still trying to get a host spot in the NCAAs so they will try to win the game. But, they are not willing to tire out any arms to do it.
 
#10
#10
Backwards K said:
Some of the SEC teams use the SEC Tournament to fine tune their pitching staff to prepare for the NCAA Regionals. LSU is still trying to get a host spot in the NCAAs so they will try to win the game. But, they are not willing to tire out any arms to do it.
Click to expand...

They already have a host spot locked up. They want to do some damage at Hoover to get a national seed.
 
#11
#11
ShowmeVols said:
Interesting call.

Latz is not your standard freshman with only 3.1 innings.

He was drafted in the 11th round out of high school in 2014, one of the highest drafted guys not to sign that year. Missed his true freshman year to an elbow issue. Was mowing down LSU hitters last fall until the elbow issue re-surfaced. Got a non-conference start in April, gave up 2 runs in 1.1 innings and had a sore elbow afterwards. After a month off, he had two scoreless 1-inning relief appearances within the past week or so, including vs. Florida.

Manieri must think his elbow is coming around, but Latz won't go deep. He's a high-value guy they will not push too hard.
Click to expand...

Best case scenario for us here

Golden opportunity
 
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#12
#12
Latz is a lefty. Fastball is 88-93, Occasional change-up around 81, and a plus curve/slider in the 75-79 range.

Struck out the side against UF in his inning.
 
#13
#13
Here's a key: score more runs than LSU.

You can take that to the bank, if we score more runs than LSU, WE WILL WIN!!!
 
#15
#15
VolsSportsFan said:
Here's a key: score more runs than LSU.

You can take that to the bank, if we score more runs than LSU, WE WILL WIN!!!
Click to expand...

Yep. The only sure thing in baseball is that the team that scores more runs than the opposition will win the game 100% of the time.

And sometimes it rains.
 
#16
#16
VolsSportsFan said:
Here's a key: score more runs than LSU.

You can take that to the bank, if we score more runs than LSU, WE WILL WIN!!!
Click to expand...

Not true. We are visitors and if we score 2 runs in the top of the 9th to take a 5-4 lead and the rains come the game reverts back to 4-3 and we lose.

Just saying
 
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#25
#25
vol66 said:
Missed that I guess, that's not good.
Click to expand...

Dustin Dopirak
@TennesseeBeat: Serrano: "The only arm that may not be available is Zach Warren. His arm was a little stiff yesterday."

Dustin Dopirak
@TennesseeBeat:
Serrano: "We will not win at all costs. Zach has a future after Tennessee."
 
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