Red Raiders look to open Big 12 Tournament with a win over Horned Frogs

#3 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs #6 TCU Horned Frogs

Game time

May 23 (Wed): 7:30 PM (FCS)

Probable starters

TBA vs TBA

The matchup

The Red Raiders open up the postseason against the TCU Horned Frogs at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. Texas Tech comes into the tournament 38-15 after sweeping the Oklahoma State Cowboys to close the regular season. The Red Raiders have a near lock to host a regional but could use a couple wins to solidify a national seed in the NCAA tournament.

TCU comes in 30-22 after taking a sweep by the Texas Longhorns. TCU needs to win the Big 12 Tournament in order to secure a spot in the playoffs. Without the automatic qualifiers, TCU’s playoff aspirations are dead.

The last time these teams met, the Horned Frogs took the series from the Red Raiders 2-1 in Fort Worth.

Players to watch

Junior OF Josh Watson leads the Horned Frogs with a .309 batting average. In 194 at-bats, Watson put up 50 runs on 60 hits with 30 RBIs and eight home runs. Watson also earned second team All Big 12 honors yesterday.

Senior OF A.J. Balta bats .302 for the Horned Frogs. In 189 at-bats, he’s put up 34 runs on 57 hits with 46 RBIs and five home runs. He was named to the All Big 12 Honorable Mention Team.

Prediction

TCU comes into the tournament with nothing to lose and everything to gain, which can be dangerous for both teams. Texas Tech sits in a very comfortable spot with a Lubbock regional all but guaranteed however, there is still plenty on the line for Tadlock and company who would love to head into the tournament with 40 wins on their record. TCU won the series last time, but if the Red Raider offense is as hot as they were last weekend, there’s no way TCU will be able to keep up. Look for Tech to open the tournament with a win and some much needed momentum.

12-7 TTU