Thought I wouldn't be making anymore plays, but one play has caught my eye. I will keep it small for tonight. Can't lay off this price.
2* OSU/UNC over 9 +105
UNC can flat out hit. That has never been a weakness of the Tarheel lineup. They have shown they don't have problems hitting low 90's pitching, which is what they will face tonight in Mike Stutes. 89-92 on the fastball, but he doesn't have that nasty sinking action/downward movement that kept all of North Carolina's swings on the infield last night. Dallas Buck held the Tarheels at bay with movement and sink, rolling up groundball after groundball and preventing UNC from the breakout inning. Stutes doesnt have that movement, that sink, and should give up another run or 2 to UNC tonight. I expect UNC's bats to get back on track and to score between 5-7 runs tonight alone. Tha front and meat of the lineup with Horton, Cox and Flack is 3 tough outs, and every time those guys come up they find a way to generate runs even with nobody on and 2 out as they did last night.
On the other side, Woodard is the least talented of UNC starters. His fastball will stay upper 80's and he relies on location and a generous strike zone from the umpire which he got last game. He also relies on his herky jerky speedy windup to look as if he is going to throw hard, and then breaks off a chanegeup and pulls the string. This worked wonders against the free swinging Clemson lineup loaded with homerun guys. Oregon State is a bit more disciplined at the plate. They aren't going to hit a lot of homeruns and they know it. They rely on basehits, hits and runs, stolen bases, bunts, timely hits, etc. I don't think the herky jerky windup of Woodard will be an issue for Oregon State tonight, and they should stay disciplined and be able to plate between 4-6 runs themselves. I also think Oregon State is still confident. They were winning 3-2 last night, and lost 4-3 vs. Miller. These next 2 games are their games to get it done. They are used to being in elimination games, they are undefeated in elimination games, and have played some of their best baseball with their backs to the wall.
Overall, I expect both teams to score about 5 runs tonight, and I wouldnt be surprised to see either offense go off a bit, and get into the 7's or 8's.
Oregon State has the pitching edge in this game, but UNC has the better hitting lineup. Somethings' gotta give, and I think after the pitcher's duel we saw last night, I think it will be a little easier to plate runs tonight than off the sinking Buck fastballs' or the overpowering Miller offerings.
Good Luck.
2* OSU/UNC over 9 +105
UNC can flat out hit. That has never been a weakness of the Tarheel lineup. They have shown they don't have problems hitting low 90's pitching, which is what they will face tonight in Mike Stutes. 89-92 on the fastball, but he doesn't have that nasty sinking action/downward movement that kept all of North Carolina's swings on the infield last night. Dallas Buck held the Tarheels at bay with movement and sink, rolling up groundball after groundball and preventing UNC from the breakout inning. Stutes doesnt have that movement, that sink, and should give up another run or 2 to UNC tonight. I expect UNC's bats to get back on track and to score between 5-7 runs tonight alone. Tha front and meat of the lineup with Horton, Cox and Flack is 3 tough outs, and every time those guys come up they find a way to generate runs even with nobody on and 2 out as they did last night.
On the other side, Woodard is the least talented of UNC starters. His fastball will stay upper 80's and he relies on location and a generous strike zone from the umpire which he got last game. He also relies on his herky jerky speedy windup to look as if he is going to throw hard, and then breaks off a chanegeup and pulls the string. This worked wonders against the free swinging Clemson lineup loaded with homerun guys. Oregon State is a bit more disciplined at the plate. They aren't going to hit a lot of homeruns and they know it. They rely on basehits, hits and runs, stolen bases, bunts, timely hits, etc. I don't think the herky jerky windup of Woodard will be an issue for Oregon State tonight, and they should stay disciplined and be able to plate between 4-6 runs themselves. I also think Oregon State is still confident. They were winning 3-2 last night, and lost 4-3 vs. Miller. These next 2 games are their games to get it done. They are used to being in elimination games, they are undefeated in elimination games, and have played some of their best baseball with their backs to the wall.
Overall, I expect both teams to score about 5 runs tonight, and I wouldnt be surprised to see either offense go off a bit, and get into the 7's or 8's.
Oregon State has the pitching edge in this game, but UNC has the better hitting lineup. Somethings' gotta give, and I think after the pitcher's duel we saw last night, I think it will be a little easier to plate runs tonight than off the sinking Buck fastballs' or the overpowering Miller offerings.
Good Luck.
arty:
