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Texas Longhorns vs. Tulane Green Wave
Soph. RH Kyle McCulloch vs. LH Jr. Brian Bogusevic
General Impression
Might as well call this home field advantage for the Longhorns. They've been here 4 years straight, they reek of confidence and this is their home away from home. They are making their National record 32nd Omaha appearance, blowing away any other school. Brian Bogusevic is Tulane's real ace, based on stuff, but he has shown some signs that his makeup isn't as good as co-ace Micah Owings.
Texas' Pitcher
Texas starts their ace Kyle McCulloch. He's a right hander that can be hittable for an ace, but he keeps his team in games and he steps up when it counts. He's the classic example of pitching up or down to the competition. He'll pitch up tonight. He evidences this by pitching even better in Big 12 Play lowering his ERA from 3.50 to 2.49. He also lowers his batting average against from .273 to .248. He'll face a Tulane lineup that can be streaky at times, and if last game's performance at the plate is any indication, they should be due for a slump.
Tulane's Pitcher
Tulane starts Brian Bogusevic, who is Tulane's true ace - on paper. For me, an ace is a guy who steps up in big games, and Bogusevic has not done that yet this postseason. In 2 post season starts he has been rocked, going 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA against SEC middle-packer Alabama and former 2003 National Champ Rice. He's been dominant this season, but he also plays in Conference USA.
Texas' Mismatch
Texas has no pressure on them. They play in Omaha every year. They didnt even dogpile after their super regional win. They just belong here, and the season starts now for Texas. They are the only experienced team in the field this year. While it's true they aren't as good as year's past, they also don't get enough credit. Against a guy like Bogusevic, Texas will continue to play their style of play. Get a man on, bunt him over, and get him in. They will constantly put pressure on a defense, starting from inning #1 and that is very annoying for a pitcher and defense. Bunt defense and tight game defense is every team's weakness except for Texas. They are 21-8 in 2 run games or less this year. They thrive in close games, they thrive in Omaha, and they thrive in against good pitchers because they play small ball all year round, not just in Omaha like some teams try to do. Their bullpen is phenomenal, and they can run up to 5 different guys out there if anyone gets in trouble and not miss a beat. Tulane is a 2-man team and Owings and Bogusevic make this team go. Owings came up lame running down the 1st base line last game and I'm wondering if it was cramps or a tweak injury. Either way, it should be a concern. Bogusevic made a game saving play in RF on a diving catch and now his glove is gone from the outfield.
Tulane's Mismatch
Tulane starts a better pitcher in this game, and if "Bogey" is on, he is lights out. Tulane is the #1 National Seed for a reason and they've won some impressive series this year. If Owings can swing a hot stick, he gets his team rolling, and the Wave are hard to stop.
Bottom Line
Bottom line, the pressure is on Tulane. They aren't in Omaha much, they hear rumblings about them being the #1 National Seed and how they play in a weak conference. They have the pressure to come out tonight, with a pitcher who has not pitched well in post-season pressure situations and prove the doubters wrong. They have to face an Omaha-tested Texas team that thrives in close games and pressure situations. Tulane's lack of being tested on a week-in and week-out basis in their weak conference will show late in this game. If Texas pitches around Owings, and they take his bat out of the lineup, Tulane has a hard time getting offense going. I look for Texas to play like the experienced team they are in a critical winner's bracket game. You're giving me Texas as a pretty nice underdog against an unproven team, and a struggling pitcher? Thanks for the odds.
My Line
Pick 'Em
My Play
(5 units) Texas +130
Look for Texas to start bunting from inning number 1 if they get a man on base. If you are a Tulane backer, prepare to sweat this game out to the final out with the constant pressure Texas puts on defenses, and how they always seem to have a man in scoring position. If Bogusevic thought pitching against Alabama in a regional was pressure, wait till he gets in a winner's bracket game in Omaha with the Longhorns butning every inning.
This is lining up for a very interesting Texas vs. Florida final.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
Soph. RH Kyle McCulloch vs. LH Jr. Brian Bogusevic
General Impression
Might as well call this home field advantage for the Longhorns. They've been here 4 years straight, they reek of confidence and this is their home away from home. They are making their National record 32nd Omaha appearance, blowing away any other school. Brian Bogusevic is Tulane's real ace, based on stuff, but he has shown some signs that his makeup isn't as good as co-ace Micah Owings.
Texas' Pitcher
Texas starts their ace Kyle McCulloch. He's a right hander that can be hittable for an ace, but he keeps his team in games and he steps up when it counts. He's the classic example of pitching up or down to the competition. He'll pitch up tonight. He evidences this by pitching even better in Big 12 Play lowering his ERA from 3.50 to 2.49. He also lowers his batting average against from .273 to .248. He'll face a Tulane lineup that can be streaky at times, and if last game's performance at the plate is any indication, they should be due for a slump.
Tulane's Pitcher
Tulane starts Brian Bogusevic, who is Tulane's true ace - on paper. For me, an ace is a guy who steps up in big games, and Bogusevic has not done that yet this postseason. In 2 post season starts he has been rocked, going 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA against SEC middle-packer Alabama and former 2003 National Champ Rice. He's been dominant this season, but he also plays in Conference USA.
Texas' Mismatch
Texas has no pressure on them. They play in Omaha every year. They didnt even dogpile after their super regional win. They just belong here, and the season starts now for Texas. They are the only experienced team in the field this year. While it's true they aren't as good as year's past, they also don't get enough credit. Against a guy like Bogusevic, Texas will continue to play their style of play. Get a man on, bunt him over, and get him in. They will constantly put pressure on a defense, starting from inning #1 and that is very annoying for a pitcher and defense. Bunt defense and tight game defense is every team's weakness except for Texas. They are 21-8 in 2 run games or less this year. They thrive in close games, they thrive in Omaha, and they thrive in against good pitchers because they play small ball all year round, not just in Omaha like some teams try to do. Their bullpen is phenomenal, and they can run up to 5 different guys out there if anyone gets in trouble and not miss a beat. Tulane is a 2-man team and Owings and Bogusevic make this team go. Owings came up lame running down the 1st base line last game and I'm wondering if it was cramps or a tweak injury. Either way, it should be a concern. Bogusevic made a game saving play in RF on a diving catch and now his glove is gone from the outfield.
Tulane's Mismatch
Tulane starts a better pitcher in this game, and if "Bogey" is on, he is lights out. Tulane is the #1 National Seed for a reason and they've won some impressive series this year. If Owings can swing a hot stick, he gets his team rolling, and the Wave are hard to stop.
Bottom Line
Bottom line, the pressure is on Tulane. They aren't in Omaha much, they hear rumblings about them being the #1 National Seed and how they play in a weak conference. They have the pressure to come out tonight, with a pitcher who has not pitched well in post-season pressure situations and prove the doubters wrong. They have to face an Omaha-tested Texas team that thrives in close games and pressure situations. Tulane's lack of being tested on a week-in and week-out basis in their weak conference will show late in this game. If Texas pitches around Owings, and they take his bat out of the lineup, Tulane has a hard time getting offense going. I look for Texas to play like the experienced team they are in a critical winner's bracket game. You're giving me Texas as a pretty nice underdog against an unproven team, and a struggling pitcher? Thanks for the odds.
My Line
Pick 'Em
My Play
(5 units) Texas +130
Look for Texas to start bunting from inning number 1 if they get a man on base. If you are a Tulane backer, prepare to sweat this game out to the final out with the constant pressure Texas puts on defenses, and how they always seem to have a man in scoring position. If Bogusevic thought pitching against Alabama in a regional was pressure, wait till he gets in a winner's bracket game in Omaha with the Longhorns butning every inning.
This is lining up for a very interesting Texas vs. Florida final.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
winkyduck said:
Not sure how much of the Baylor game you watched on TV, but Baylor needed a horseshoe, rabbit's foot and a 4-leaf clover to come away with that game. Very fortunate to even have been in extra innings. So, if you feel this game is the same way, luck has to run out at some point, and I'll continue to bang away with the teams that have the advantage, especially in an underdog line.
I wasn't betting my money on Baylor's Trey Taylor, and he got knocked out in the 2nd inning. And I'm not betting my money on the post-season alien that took over Brian Bogusevic's body. I'll gladly take Texas and the odds in a game that is an every year occurence for the Longhorns.
Later! :howdy:
