Realsouthwolf said:
Watched the WF-Clemson series.
Wake looked good. They seem to have found their groove too.
This will not be an easy series.
I think the toughest game in the series will be the Thursday night game. State will have to face Chase Burns (Tennessee transfer) and he has been really good all season (season ERA of 2.85). He has had 10 games with 10+ strikeouts per game and in his last three games, he has averaged 14 strikeouts a game. His fastball has been 100 to 100+ regularly throughout the season and if he gets it to move (that has been his issue this season - lack of movement on it), he can pile up the strikes. If it is not moving, he will definitely give up hits and this is where he has gotten in trouble throughout the season.
I think State will have a potential for more success on Friday and Saturday, assuming Burns pitches well on Thursday. Wake has struggled to find consistency in their day 2 and day 3 weekend pitchers. Josh Hartle has dropped off this year and Wake has been moving him around in the lineup all season. Last weekend against Clemson, they moved him to Sunday and he had one of his best games of the year (9 strikeouts, 4 hits, 3 runs, 1 HR and 1 BB). I will not be surprised if Wake keeps him in the same slot and he pitches on Saturday this weekend.
The weather could pose a problem for the Saturday game. It is currently forecast to be the wettest day of the weekend with rain expected throughout the day. It is a shame, since Saturday will be Senior Day, so hopefully they can get the game in. Hopefully, they are able to get the ballgame played.