#4 Texas Tech Red Raiders at Texas Christian University Horned Frogs
Game times
April 27 (Fri): 8:00 PM (FS1)
April 28 (Sat): 7:00 PM (ESPNU)
April 29 (Sun): 1:00 PM (ESPNU)
Probable starters
Friday: RHP Davis Martin ( 6-2, 2.52 ERA) vs LHP Nick Lodolo ( 5-1, 4.35 ERA)
Saturday: RHP Caleb Kilian ( 6-1, 2.01 ERA) vs RHP Charles King ( 1-3, 5.44 ERA)
Sunday: RHP John McMillon ( 4-2, 3.54 ERA) vs TBA
The matchup
The Red Raiders wrap up a four game road trip against the TCU Horned Frogs in Fort Worth this weekend. Texas Tech enters the weekend 32-10 (10-5) after a 2-1 series win over Oklahoma. TCU comes in 20-17 (6-8) after a sweep by the Baylor Bears.
The Horned Frogs have struggled recently after injuries knocked out key players including batting ace Luken Baker, who was single handedly responsible for knocking the Red Raiders out of the 2016 College World Series.
Tech is ranked #4 in the country and 2.5 games behind Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title race. The weekend rotation has been solid however bullpen struggles,particularly on Sunday have prevented multiple sweeps for Tadlock and company. The Red Raider offense has been more consistent over the weeks. They have excelled at getting on base but occasionally struggle to bring runners home, as was apparent against Arkansas when the Red Raiders stranded three in the first inning in a 5-1 loss.
Players to watch
Senior INF Michael Landestoy has a .197 average which is down from last season. He does have 11 runs on 14 hits with six RBIs and a home run. If the Frogs want any chance of winning it will be up to Landestroy to step up.
Sophomore LHP Nick Lodolo has an ERA of 4.35 but don’t let that fool you. He was a first-round draft pick last year and has 72 strikeouts this season.
Prediction
TCU has struggled without its hitting specialists, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. This will be a decisive series at home with major playoff implications for the Frogs. Tech is still the better team coming in to the weekend but will need to play solid baseball if they want to come back to Lubbock with a series win. This will be a great chance for Tech to get a great win on the road and I expect Tech to take the series 2-1 in Fort Worth.
Friday: 10-7 TTU
Saturday: 12-6 TTU
Sunday: 8-4 TCU