NighthawkVol
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-Hard not to be excited about the pitching this team has. I know we weren't playing an SEC team, but Georgia Southern is a program that upset some big time teams last year (East Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma) and will be right in the thick of a Regional hunt. Tennessee swept them last year, but those wins were by 2, 2, and in extra innings. This year, Tennessee just annihilated them in all three games.
-Burns and Dollander were phenomenal. The bullpen didn't allow a run (Sewell looks even better than last year and will be an extremely valuable stretch/emergency starter/long relief man). Add Tidwell and Halvorsen to the mix for SEC play and this could be the best staff in the SEC by conference play/postseason.
-Speaking of pitching, Drew Beam looks like a future star. I know he only went 3 inning and had some control trouble, but part of that was a strange strike zone. I didn't know anything about this kid until a couple of weeks ago. He is a big kid with good stuff. Anderson should be able to mold him into something special.
-If I had to be critical of anything, maybe Ethan Smith's debut was a little concerning, given that he had to be bailed out of some jams by great defense. But in his defense, it was a bunt single that ignited all that. I'm sure he'll be fine.
-I like the lineup used on Sunday as the primary lineup for Tennessee, ASSUMING Chambers is the bat he's supposed to be (he didn't really show it this weekend, but it's just one series). Stephenson in LF makes a ton of sense, given that a) he speed serves UT well in the outfield; b) he's considered an average arm at SS; c) Chambers seems like a defensive liability; and d) Stephenson HAS to be in the lineup. He's just too dynamic with his speed. And he showed that he has some pop in the bat too.
So I'd go with the Russell/Taylor platoon at Catcher, Lipcius at 1B, Ortega at 2B, Lawson at SS, Lipscomb at 3B, Stephenson in LF, Gilbert in CF, Beck in RF, and Lawson at DH. I think that gives UT the best defensive lineup without sacrificing hitting. That DH spot might rotate some between Lawson, Burke, Moore, and Booker (or Stephenson with Booker in LF). So many options with this lineup.
-I love seeing all the folks jump on the bandwagon. I used to come over to this board and there was nothing to discuss because no one was here. Reminds me of being a Preds fan, hoping every year for a deep playoff run, then we finally got the run to the Final in 2017. After that, no one could wait until the opening game, including a bunch of new fans who never cared much before. This weekend's crowd at Lindsey Nelson reflects something similar. And just because I was a Preds fan before they made that run, that doesn't mean I wasn't happy to have new fans on board. Same applies here. Vitello is really doing something special with this program.
-Burns and Dollander were phenomenal. The bullpen didn't allow a run (Sewell looks even better than last year and will be an extremely valuable stretch/emergency starter/long relief man). Add Tidwell and Halvorsen to the mix for SEC play and this could be the best staff in the SEC by conference play/postseason.
-Speaking of pitching, Drew Beam looks like a future star. I know he only went 3 inning and had some control trouble, but part of that was a strange strike zone. I didn't know anything about this kid until a couple of weeks ago. He is a big kid with good stuff. Anderson should be able to mold him into something special.
-If I had to be critical of anything, maybe Ethan Smith's debut was a little concerning, given that he had to be bailed out of some jams by great defense. But in his defense, it was a bunt single that ignited all that. I'm sure he'll be fine.
-I like the lineup used on Sunday as the primary lineup for Tennessee, ASSUMING Chambers is the bat he's supposed to be (he didn't really show it this weekend, but it's just one series). Stephenson in LF makes a ton of sense, given that a) he speed serves UT well in the outfield; b) he's considered an average arm at SS; c) Chambers seems like a defensive liability; and d) Stephenson HAS to be in the lineup. He's just too dynamic with his speed. And he showed that he has some pop in the bat too.
So I'd go with the Russell/Taylor platoon at Catcher, Lipcius at 1B, Ortega at 2B, Lawson at SS, Lipscomb at 3B, Stephenson in LF, Gilbert in CF, Beck in RF, and Lawson at DH. I think that gives UT the best defensive lineup without sacrificing hitting. That DH spot might rotate some between Lawson, Burke, Moore, and Booker (or Stephenson with Booker in LF). So many options with this lineup.
-I love seeing all the folks jump on the bandwagon. I used to come over to this board and there was nothing to discuss because no one was here. Reminds me of being a Preds fan, hoping every year for a deep playoff run, then we finally got the run to the Final in 2017. After that, no one could wait until the opening game, including a bunch of new fans who never cared much before. This weekend's crowd at Lindsey Nelson reflects something similar. And just because I was a Preds fan before they made that run, that doesn't mean I wasn't happy to have new fans on board. Same applies here. Vitello is really doing something special with this program.
