Super Regional versus UofH

[Matt Cotcher]

This is a fascinating matchup from any & every angle...Texas and Houston play the same style of baseball and are unbelievably evenly matched. This Super Regional series is going to be close and could conceivably be decided by a manufactured run, a baserunning error, an assist from the outfield, etc. Whichever of these two teams plays cleaner games over the weekend will win – most casual baseball fans don’t enjoy low scoring, defensive games, but that’s what I’m expecting this weekend.

Execution

As I said above, these games should be decided by the subtleties of baseball…two-strike hitting, baserunning, error-free defense, passed balls, two-out offense…Branch Rickey famously said, “Baseball is a game of inches.”, get ready to understand that over the weekend.

- In the last 7 postseason games, UofH has only committed one error.

- Catcher Caleb Barker has thrown out 11 of the last 16 attempts at stolen bases

Pitching Duels

You could drive yourself crazy trying to dissect the pitching matchups between these two teams – they’re that even. Without Peters, I err towards giving Houston a slight edge. Yes, I know Hollingsworth was incredible last weekend but after not seeing a start or innings like that all year, there is no way to confidently predict that he could replicate that performance.

- In 72 postseason innings, the Texas pitching staff has only allowed 17 earned runs.

- In the Houston Regional, Longhorn pitchers limited the opposition to a .180 batting average

- Texas ranks ninth nationally in ERA – that’s impressive…until you note that Houston is sixth at 2.30

If it’s close

- Texas is 11-5 in one run games

- Houston is 13-7 in one run games

Magic numbers

- Texas is 41-10 when they score two or more runs

- Texas is 37-8 when allowing three or fewer runs

- Texas is 20-2 when they score in the 1st inning

The game within the game

The Longhorns rely on plate discipline and walks to help manufacture runs. Payton, Marlow & Clemens all finished in the top 10 of the conference in walks. Houston is 2nd in the country in walks allowed per 9 innings (1.79).

Shifting pressure to the other dugout

Head Coach Augie Garrido was asked if his team was the underdog in this series. His answer, “I think based on the way they came out of LSU, scored a lot of runs, and pulled off a couple miracles back-to-back means [Houston is] hot and confident.”

 

[streettopeschel]

we didn't play particularly clean last weekend. too many fielding errors (mostly E5s) and enough WTF baserunning moments that would have hurt against better competition.

if we fix those, i like our chances.

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I am homer so I picked us to win in 3

 

[Lukus Alderman]

The bigger field will keep the big innings down, in my opinion.

I agree that it'll come down to who plays better in the field.

We also can't make the same base running errors as we did in the regional. We left at least 4 runs on the table due to poor base running mistakes. We've got a lot to work on if we want to move forward, but we've got the talent to do it.

 

[texasdobbs]

I have Texas Winning. .. but it's going to come down to that third game... and will Texas hit and score runs at home? it will be a butting championship...

 

[joeywa]

Win in 2

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

#BUNTSTRONG

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Win in 2

If this ends up correct, then watch out, Omaha.

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

I picked us to win.

 

[MBHORNSFAN]

Win in 2

Very Strong pick

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I picked us to win.

There is hope!

 

[Matt Cotcher]

I was looking for execution and a clean game in order for the Horns to grab a 1-0 lead...

0 errors

0 PB's

1 PO

1 stolen base

2 sacrifices

3 BB's

Houston pitchers had to throw 158 pitches - in 8 IP that's roughly 20/inning.

I was impressed by the way they played in the Regional win over Rice. Today was even better. 

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I, too, noticed that our hitters did a great job of working up the pitch count. We pushed their best pitcher out early and ran around a 30 pitch count up on on of their top relievers. Our guys did a good job.

 

[Etex Horn]

Re: closers

Assuming UT makes the CWS (looking good right now),

In 2002 UT had Huston Street

In 2005 UT had J. Brent Cox

In 2014...can Curtiss or our other relievers replicate the performances of those listed above, who helped lead us to NCs?

Not wanting to criticize current players by comparison, just interested in others' thoughts. Obviously, first, need to best UH one more time, then we'll worry about it. I'm just saying, Street and Cox showed up big time in the CWS. Do we have the ONE reliever who can do what they did on the national stage?   

 

[joeywa]

Re: closers

Assuming UT makes the CWS (looking good right now),

In 2002 UT had Huston Street

In 2005 UT had J. Brent Cox

In 2014...can Curtiss or our other relievers replicate the performances of those listed above, who helped lead us to NCs?

Not wanting to criticize current players by comparison, just interested in others' thoughts. Obviously, first, need to best UH one more time, then we'll worry about it. I'm just saying, Street and Cox showed up big time in the CWS. Do we have the ONE reliever who can do what they did on the national stage?   

I don't think Curtiss is in the same league as Street or Cox, (understanding you said it wasn't a comparison.)  Those guys could go more than one w/o worry.  Curtiss is good for one, possibly two, (IMHO,) at this point in the year against the competition we're going to see from here on out.  He's a solid one-inning closer that on occassion can be counted on to go further.  I don't believe that it's truly necessary to push him into longer situations. 

And the depth we have on this staff is pretty salty.  In addition to Curtiss out of the pen, you've got Cooper, Hollingsworth, Culbreath, Duke who are all solid in releif, and Goins and Sawyer "could" give you innings if absolutely neccessary. 

 

[joeywa]

Win in 2

Just sayin'. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Win in 2

If this ends up correct, then watch out, Omaha.

Just sayin'!