Baseball Weekend Preview: LSU @ Auburn

Well, after a shit show of a weekend and a horrid outing against Tulane, the LSU Tigers are back to take on Auburn in a three game series on the Plains. I wish I could say I'm excited about this weekend series, but I'm just not. I'll watch, but I won't be happy about it until I see something to give me some hope. Auburn is the right team to be going up against at this point, so hopefully a good showing against the false Tigers brings me back into good spirits.

Anyway, let's meet Auburn.

AUBURN TIGERS

Record: 12-13, 1-5 SEC

Rank: N/A

Recent Record: Swept by Arkansas, destroyed Alabama 10-1 in the midweek

RPI: 124

ISR: 119

Yeesh. So even if we beat Auburn, we aren't going to get any boost at all. Their recent midweek stomping of Alabama looks impressive though, so who knows which Auburn team we'll get this weekend.

Warblogel Bats

Player	Yr	Pos	BA	Slg%	OB%	R	HR	RBI
Anfernee Grier	JR	OF	0.434	0.708	0.535	35	7	23
Joshua Palacios	JR	OF	0.411	0.645	0.496	28	3	20
Niko Buentello	JR	IF	0.38	0.64	0.488	21	6	34
Team			0.333	0.471	0.416	194	21	174

One thing Aubbie does well is hit the dang ball. Grier gave LSU fits last year and he looks like he's going to do the same this year. Palacios and Buentello are both JUCO transfers who are paying immediate dividends. Honestly, those team batting stats are shocking. Auburn hit a measly 0.273 last season with a 0.371 slugging percentage. To raise their averages that much in one season is damn impressive. Firing Sonny Golloway was a great decision.

Eagle Plainsmen Arms

Player	Yr	Pos	IP	ERA	K	BB	BAA
Justin Camp	SR	RHP	36.1	4.71	28	9	0.261
Cole Lipscomb	JR	RHP	27.1	5.27	27	11	0.215
Taco Bell Anderson	Jr	RHP	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Gordon Cardenas	JR	RHP	15.1	0.59	11	8	0.154
Team			225.2	4.15	188	97	0.251

Given how good their bats are, the pitching is stunningly bad. Camp and Lipscomb are well established as the Friday/Saturday starters, but Auburn hasn't been able to lock down that third starting pitcher.

This is the little bit of hope I was looking for. Auburn can hit and score, but they can't stop anyone else from scoring. LSU pitches okay, but can't score to save their lives. Something's gotta give this weekend.

Should you be worried?

Definitely. LSU goes on the road for a second straight week. Auburn may be struggling to get wins, but they have a solid lineup and can put up runs. LSU will need to play spectacular defense and get long outings out of Lange, Poche, and Valek to have a chance in each game. The less I see of the LSU bullpen, the better.

How's the weather going to be?

In Auburn:

DOUBLE HEADER ON SATURDAY ALERT

In South Louisiana:

LOOKS GOOD! (ignore Friday)

Best Logo on Google Image Search

I dunno what this is, but that cat is giving me the side eye and I want to punch its smug face right into the freaking sun.

Prediction

Fock Fear, Drink Beer, have a good time. LSU figures out a way to win at least one. The other two end in heartbreak in either direction. Did I mention beer is good?