Big 12 Baseball Preview: Oklahoma State at Texas Highlights Big Weekend
After another fun week, college baseball returns to action as 13 Big 12 teams are hitting the diamond. There are several big-time matchups ahead, so let’s take a look at the top storylines heading into the weekend.
The Most Underrated Series in College Baseball
Forget about being the most underrated series in the Big 12; this matchup between West Virginia and Cincinnati is the most underrated series in the entire country. The Bearcats are sitting with an 11-10 record in conference play and have been the biggest surprise in the Big 12 this season. Tommy O’Connor and Kerrington Cross have combined for 25 home runs this season to lead the way.
However, Cincinnati hasn’t been great on the mound this season, and they are going to be tested with a good West Virginia offense that is batting .279 in conference play. The Mountaineers have some power hitters of their own with Grant Hussey, Reed Chumley, and Kyle West. Plus, JJ Wetherholt who just may be the best player in the Big 12. I’m also curious to see Derek Clark, who seems to throw complete games every time he is on the mound.
Survive and Advance for TCU
Another weekend means another playoff-type series for the Horned Frogs, who are still trying to claw their way out of the early hole they dug themselves in. Now, they take on a struggling Baylor team that has lost five straight Big 12 games. The thing to watch here is TCU’s offense. They have the best ERA in Big 12 play (4.64) yet have the worst team batting average (.232). While the Bears do have a duo of solid bags with Enzo Apodaca and Wesley Jordan, I don’t see the Frogs having an issue on the mound this weekend. It’s just a matter of their offense stepping up.
The Sunflower Showdown is Back!
I can’t remember the last time the Sunflower Showdown had so much on the line because this weekend is huge for both programs. The Jayhawks currently have the longest winning streak in Big 12 play (6) and with their 12-9 record, they have a legitimate chance at making the postseason. The reason has been consistency on both sides of the play. They have some firepower offensively with Kodey Shojinaga, Jake English, John Nett, and Michael Brooks. Those guys complement their dominant duo on the mound, which includes Reese Dutton and Dominic Voegele.
Those two pitchers will be tested because what Kansas State lacks in pitching, they make up for offensively with Brady Day, Kaelen Culpepper, Brendan Jones, and Chuck Ingram.
A Texas-Sized Showdown in Austin
If you can only watch one series this weekend, then this one should be it. Texas and Oklahoma State are neck and neck in the conference title race. And speaking of being neck and neck, these two teams have one big thing in common: They can hit the long ball. In fact, they are the only two teams in the Big 12 who have hit more than 80 home runs this year. Oklahoma State has hit 86, while Texas leads with 95.
The Longhorns have four players who have combined for a whopping 56 home runs: Jalin Flores, Max Belyeu, Jared Thomas, and Will Gasparino. Meanwhile, Nolan Schubart, Carson Benge, Zach Erhard, and Collin Brueggemann have led Oklahoma State. Alongside the great hitting, both teams also have some solid pitchers. Sam Garcia and Brian Holiday have been great for the Pokes, while Ace Whitehead and Max Grubbs have emerged as stars for the Longhorns. Buckle up because this is going to be a great series.
Can UCF Stay in the Postseason Picture?
This series is all about UCF’s quest to make the postseason. Unless Houston makes a miraculous run in the Big 12 tournament, they won’t make the postseason. However, they can play a bit of a spoiler here against UCF.
Matt Prevesk and Jack Zyska have been key to the Knights’ offense, which has struggled at times in conference play. Luckily for UCF, Houston’s ERA in the Big 12 is 6.28, which is the third-worst, only ahead of Kansas State and BYU. This should be the weekend to get the offense going and back in the win column.
Can Oklahoma Stay on Top?
Here is another big series to watch in the Big 12. While the Sooners are still in first place, their lead is shrinking. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is right on that postseason bubble with a 12-12 record. Both teams have enough offense to keep up with almost anyone. Damian Bravo is the most consistent hitter in the Big 12, and he’s got some power behind him with Gavin Kash, Drew Woodcox, and Cade McGee.
Oklahoma has its own weapons at the plate, with five players batting over .315. The key to this series will come down to pitching. While each team has had its moments on the mound, neither staff has been consistent as of late.
Other Series
BYU at Miami
