A little perspective

[KurtRambis4]

I know everyone's disappointed in the way we've played so far. I've been pretty upset with our SP, without a doubt. However, we've played probably 3 of the top 5 teams in the league (as of now). Also, 3 of the top 4 pitching clubs, currently, are LSU, Arkansas, and UK. If our SP could throw strikes for 2 IP overall, we would probably have a decent record against them. Again, I'm not too happy with the performances to date, but it's not like we've faced crap teams. Also of note, we've played 2 of our 3 series on the road. The one home series has been against the best team in the league, that we let off the ropes for one game.

If we can just get our SP to give us some quality starts, we can turn things around.

 

[patdog]

Agreed. Not time to give up on this team at all. It's just frustrating as hell to know we SHOULD be 5-4 at worst in those 9 games. We're obviously not as good as most on here thought we would be. But I still think this team is better than any team we've had since 2003.

 

[57stratdawg]

This team can play with anyone, but I also feel like it could lose to just about anyone. I've said all along, we've just got to pull our head out of our asses. I guess if it was that simple, it would have happened along time ago. Our pitchers, in particularly our starters, just need to focus on getting outs and eating up innings.

I will not ***** about our starters giving up an extra run per outing if it means they pitch two extra innings.

 

[missouridawg]

Agreed. Not time to give up on this team at all. It's just frustrating as hell to know we SHOULD be 5-4 at worst in those 9 games. We're obviously not as good as most on here thought we would be. But I still think this team is better than any team we've had since 2003.

Count me in the group that still thinks we've got top 15 talent. We're about 5 or 6 pitches from realistically being 6-3 in the SEC and winning 3 straight series over top 10 ranked teams. The "ifs-and-buts" game isn't very fun.... but it's applicable here.

For poops and grins, I checked out the opposing records of the top 5 teams in the SEC right now. Coincidentally, they have all either played UGA, Mizzou, TN, or Auburn... and sometimes more than one of those teams.
Opponents' SEC record
LSU 6-21
VAN 8-19
ALA 5-22
ARK 12-15
UK 8-19

MSU's opponents are 20-7 on the short SEC season.

With Florida, Auburn, aTm, and Bama on the horizon for 4 of our next 5 series... things are going to get easier. It's frustrating... but there's no need to flip out.

If pull another 1-2 against an Auburn (like we did last year), I'd start to get concerned. Starting this weekend, we need 2-1 against Florida.

 

[57stratdawg]

We gotta have at least two this weekend. No ifs, ands, or buts, gotta take two from Florida.

 

[patdog]

I've thought all along this was a borderline regional host, most likely getting one of the last 4 host sites. I still think the team is that good, but we've got to make up some ground if we want to host. Agree with 57stratdawg too that this team can beat anyone in the country and could just as easily lose to anyone.

 

[maroonmania]

This team can play with anyone, but I also feel like it could lose to just about anyone. I've said all along, we've just got to pull our head out of our asses. I guess if it was that simple, it would have happened along time ago. Our pitchers, in particularly our starters, just need to focus on getting outs and eating up innings.

I will not ***** about our starters giving up an extra run per outing if it means they pitch two extra innings.

Just frustrating right now that we've lost EVERY SEC game we've played decided by 2 runs or less and usually due to our own mistakes. It is something to say though that with all of our frustrations, after 31 games played, there are only really 2 games that we were pretty much out of at the end and that is the 7-3 loss to Central Arkansas and the 7-3 loss to LSU.

 

[Shmuley]

Short and succinct version of your post ...............................

We are about to hit that part of our SEC schedule where our talent matches up better.

 

[CadaverDawg]

We gotta have at least two this weekend. No ifs, ands, or buts, gotta take two from Florida.

Definitely

 

[justin_aguilera]

Short and succinct version of your post ...............................

We are about to hit that part of our SEC schedule where our talent matches up better.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Yes, Florida did shutout the black bears on Saturday and Sunday, but their pitching staff is nowhere near as talented as what we've seen. Their staff ERA is 4.14. Jonathan Crawford, their guy who has logged the most starts (7) and innings (42.1) has a 4.46 ERA. At the plate, they only have one regular starter who is batting over .300 -- Justin Shafer (.325). Their team batting average is .261. Florida is always a threat, butthey definitely aren't the same as they have been in the past. We just need to jump on their pitchers early and our guys need to consistenly find the strike zone.

 

[Hanmudog]

Looks like our current RPI is anywhere from 11 to 15 in spite of our 3-6 SEC record so I think giving up would be way premature.

 

[War Machine Dawg]

Agreed. Not time to give up on this team at all. It's just frustrating as hell to know we SHOULD be 5-4 at worst in those 9 games. We're obviously not as good as most on here thought we would be. But I still think this team is better than any team we've had since 2003.

Completely agree with that. We're definitely improved in the talent department since Cohen's arrival, and should keep improving in that area. I just want to see Cohen stop over-managing the lineup and get our 9 best hitters on the field, which includes Norris.

 

[chew1095]

Need to get the bats going as well. I think that will happen once we move deeper into SEC play. We always play better the second half of SEC play and our competition is not as strong as what we have seen thus far. We haven't played great ball thus far and in spite of that we are couple of plays away from being 5-4.

I could really see us winning 9 of our next 12. This weekend is critical. Its at home. Its a winnable series. It would do wonders for our confidence.

And I am sure this has been mentioned, but 17 Bama. Their schedule is complete ********. Nothing we can do about it, but 17 'em nonetheless.

 

[patdog]

Our talent matched up fine against LSU, UK, and Ark. Our execution and decision making were lacking.

 

[missouridawg]

If you think we were overmatched

in talent during the last 3 series, then you must've not been watching the same games that I was.

We were every bit as capaable of going 6-3 during those 9 games instead of 3-6. We're going to be fine.

 

[KurtRambis4]

No doubt

we need to get a little better production offensively, but we need to eliminate the errors (mental). This walking everyone and their mother crap HAS to stop. Our starters have to get their **** straight. We've given away at least 2 games because of piss poor pitching and mistakes they've made.