UGA vs VCU Regional Preview: What You Need to Know

The VCU Rams’ play fashion would make your Granddaddy smile. 

They throw strikes, put the ball in play, and grind their approach to successful baseball video games. The Rams acquired scorching sizzling on the proper time, they’re 28-4 of their final 32 video games, and are presently on a 15 successful streak. They used that late season surge to blow via the Atlantic 10 event, successful their first convention title since 2015. They are going to look to hold that momentum with them to Chapel Hill once they tackle the Georgia Bulldogs tonight at 7 pm (ESPN+). There shall be many matchups all through the sport that can swing the ultimate rating someway, let’s try a few of these.

Cannon vs the Rams

It’s now confirmed that UGA ace Jonathon Cannon will get the ball tonight. Georgia can relaxation straightforward understanding that this Ram’s lineup has not seen something like Cannon but this yr. His mixture of velocity and pitch repertoire isn’t one thing you’ll be able to essentially observe for, and that’s not to say VCU has not confronted some actually good pitching, it’s only a praise to the third workforce All America pitcher Cannon.

You’ll be able to’t begin speaking concerning the Rams’ lineup with out first mentioning power-hitting first baseman Tyler Locklear. Locklear will come into the weekend slashing .403/.540/.801 with 19 homers, 23 doubles and, in all probability most impressively, 22 strikeouts. He has been among the best hitters within the nation since day 1 and has been constantly enhancing his draft inventory to 1st spherical standing. He’s completely the man that Coach Scott Stricklin and the teaching workers circled a number of occasions within the scouting report assembly as being the man they WILL NOT let beat them. If there’s a state of affairs the place Locklear comes up with an opportunity to drive in some runs, don’t count on the UGA workers to be very aggressive in pitching to him.

Aside from Locklear, VCU’s lineup doesn’t possess a ton of energy. What they do very well is put the ball in play as they’ve solely struck out 438 occasions as a workforce (for reference, Georgia has struck out 527 occasions). Hitters like Will Carlone (.315), Connor Hujsak (.288), and Logan Amiss (.275) don’t have loopy energy numbers however have hit a mixed 46 doubles and can look to complement and defend Locklear in opposition to Cannon. Cannon might want to win the matchups in opposition to these guys so as to reduce the injury that Locklear can do.

Cannon might want to give the Dawgs some size in tonight’s recreation to offer them one of the best probability at advancing. On paper, Cannon vs the VCU Rams’ lineup is the right matchup to do exactly that. Cannon throws a ton of strikes (10 walks in 74 innings) and the Rams hardly ever strike out, this combo results in loads of balls being put in play. If Cannon can preserve the Rams aggressive and get some early outs, he may have an opportunity to go deep within the recreation. One factor to look at although, Cannon admitted to me in an interview not way back that one among his weaknesses is throwing too many strikes. As a pitcher, after we get forward within the depend, we don’t wish to give the hitter a superb pitch to hit. When Cannon will get hitters to 2 strikes tonight, he must put them away.

How the Dawgs rating runs

Phrase on the road is the UGA lineup will see lefty starter Tyler Davis. Davis (3.25) is a big-time competitor with a fastball that shall be 87-90 as much as 92, a changeup round 80, and a slider sitting at 80-82. He, like the complete VCU workers, doesn’t stroll anybody. He has walked 18 guys in 55 innings, whereas the complete workforce has walked 170 in 515 innings. With the restricted variety of free passes given, they’ll make the Dawgs swing it to beat them. UGA is presently slashing .256/.361/.423 in opposition to lefties, in order that they haven’t actually lit it up in opposition to the southpaws this season.

After Davis, the Rams’ three most relied-on arms out of the bullpen are Noah Wilson (2.41), Jack Masloff (2.86), and Jaden Griffin (4.58). They’ve a plethora of different guys they don’t seem to be scared to make use of in numerous conditions however the frequent theme you will notice is the strike-throwing. The balls are going to be within the zone and UGA has to make use of that to their benefit. Understanding the VCU arms take satisfaction in not strolling many batters, the UGA hitters have to be particularly aggressive in hitters counts like 2-0 or 2-1. When hitters know the ball shall be within the zone, they have a tendency to get extra comfy. Search for the Dawgs to return out swinging early and seeking to do injury from the primary pitch.

Verdict

You’ll discover from the primary pitch tonight that aside from Locklear, Georgia would be the far more proficient workforce. What’s so nice about post-season baseball although is expertise can solely take you up to now. VCU is driving a lot momentum coming into this matchup they usually know the best way to win. They play a mode of baseball that can give coaches complications as a result of they won’t beat themselves. They will pressure the Dawgs to play a clear recreation and can put strain on them in all aspects of the sport. Georgia may have their arms full tonight, however will are available with loads of confidence with their ace on the mound. Tune in tonight at 7 on ESPN+.