What are expectations for this season compared to last?

#51
#51
txbo said:
I'm with you. I clearly think that high of a ranking is a burden. Seriously though, if you were a baseball analyst with a vote, how low can you rank them without looking stupid?
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I think you could make a reasonable argument for #10. Exhibit A: Replacing entire veteran starting lineup with 3 transfer portal players and a combo of returning players and freshman.
 
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#52
#52
Volprofch05 said:
I’ve been thinking about the pressure for Tennessee teams in particular. I can see how during the regular season the team can feed off of having a crazy fan base. However, when it gets to the postseason and our teams are fully aware of how desperate our vocal fan base is to hoist a trophy or bust, does that become a significant impediment? I realize all athletes in general feel the pressure just because they are highly motivated, but playing at Tennessee is something different.
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Dealing with pressure is one of the hurdles of becoming a champion. A good bit of this squad now has experience with pressure. That's an advantage.
 
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#53
#53
taylorvol said:
I think you could make a reasonable argument for #10. Exhibit A: Replacing entire veteran starting lineup with 3 transfer portal players and a combo of returning players and freshman.
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I can't find nine teams, that on paper, I could rank above us. I'd even say, our pitching, on paper, looks so elite, it's hard to rank LSU above us.... but I'm glad they are.

Do you think we win the series against LSU?
 
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#54
#54
txbo said:
I can't find nine teams, that on paper, I could rank above us. I'd even say, our pitching, on paper, looks so elite, it's hard to rank LSU above us.... but I'm glad they are.

Do you think we win the series against LSU?
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LSU is loaded and with game being in Baton Rouge, I’d say we take a series loss. Hope I’m wrong. It will be an epic series for sure.
 
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#55
#55
taylorvol said:
I hear you but just don’t see how they can be ranked #2 based on a brand new lineup. I suspect no team has ever been ranked in the top 5 when they were replacing all 8 position players. Says a lot for confidence in our elite pitching and coaching staff.
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Because pitching is what wins championships. We might score fewer runs this year, but it’s not unreasonable to think we’ll give up less, too. Just ask Notre Dame. Not a great offensive lineup last year, but had elite pitching. What won them the Super Regional in Knoxville?

We return an entire rotation filled with All-Americans. All 3 of our starters were on Team USA. We unequivocally, no debate, have the best rotation in baseball. That alone will win you a lot of games. I see no issue with us being #2.
 
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#56
#56
taylorvol said:
LSU is loaded and with game being in Baton Rouge, I’d say we take a series loss. Hope I’m wrong. It will be an epic series for sure.
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Anybody that is a college baseball fan has to have that weekend circled on their calendar. Anybody with half a brain picks LSU to win the series at the Box. I think that's the weekend we can no longer hide how good we are. Vols 2-1.
 
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#57
#57
txbo said:
Anybody that is a college baseball fan has to have that weekend circled on their calendar. Anybody with half a brain picks LSU to win the series at the Box. I think that's the weekend we can no longer hide how good we are. Vols 2-1.
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I don’t know. When we start off 30-1 again we might pique some interest 👀
 
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#59
#59
TheMookieMonster said:
Because pitching is what wins championships. We might score fewer runs this year, but it’s not unreasonable to think we’ll give up less, too. Just ask Notre Dame. Not a great offensive lineup last year, but had elite pitching. What won them the Super Regional in Knoxville?

We return an entire rotation filled with All-Americans. All 3 of our starters were on Team USA. We unequivocally, no debate, have the best rotation in baseball. That alone will win you a lot of games. I see no issue with us being #2.
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On Kirby's podcast, he made suggestions to Seacrest possibly breaking into the weekend rotation. Is it possible that our pitching is even better that people know?
 
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#61
#61
txbo said:
On Kirby's podcast, he made suggestions to Seacrest possibly breaking into the weekend rotation. Is it possible that our pitching is even better that people know?
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Personally, I have pretty sky high expectations for our pitching, so I’m not sure if it would be possible to be any better than I think that rotation will be.

My pre-season hot take prediction is all 3 of our weekend starters finish sub 2.75 in ERA and Dollander goes sub 2.00 for the season.
 
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#62
#62
TheMookieMonster said:
Personally, I have pretty sky high expectations for our pitching, so I’m not sure if it would be possible to be any better than I think that rotation will be.

My pre-season hot take prediction is all 3 of our weekend starters finish sub 2.75 in ERA and Dollander goes sub 2.00 for the season.
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My hot take is Dolly has a great year but Burns and Seacrest are the story of the year.
 
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#63
#63
TheMookieMonster said:
Because pitching is what wins championships. We might score fewer runs this year, but it’s not unreasonable to think we’ll give up less, too. Just ask Notre Dame. Not a great offensive lineup last year, but had elite pitching. What won them the Super Regional in Knoxville?

We return an entire rotation filled with All-Americans. All 3 of our starters were on Team USA. We unequivocally, no debate, have the best rotation in baseball. That alone will win you a lot of games. I see no issue with us being #2.
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ND also had one of the oldest/most veteran teams in college baseball with some excellent bats including the 3rd basemen who hammered the ball against TN. The Braves even with Maddox/Smoltz/Glavine/Avery only won one WS during a long era of elite pitching. My point is baseball is a cruel game that sometimes defies logic. How has #1 team failed to win the CWS for almost 25 years? How did the last team to make the tournament, go on to win the CWS? Sometimes teams get hot at the right time, get timely hits, a little luck along with the ball bouncing the right way, and win national championships.
 
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#65
#65
taylorvol said:
ND also had one of the oldest/most veteran teams in college baseball with some excellent bats including the 3rd basemen who hammered the ball against TN. The Braves even with Maddox/Smoltz/Glavine/Avery only won one WS during a long era of elite pitching. My point is baseball is a cruel game that sometimes defies logic. How has #1 team failed to win the CWS for almost 25 years? How did the last team to make the tournament, go on to win the CWS? Sometimes teams get hot at the right time, get timely hits, a little luck along with the ball bouncing the right way, and win national championships.
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You most excellently define beisbol.
 
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#71
#71
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#72
#72
My guess on starting lineup with lots of changes/early rotations at C (Taylor and Miller), LF (Scott, Dreiling, Chapman) and DH (Dickey, Tears, Chambers, Ensley) expected.
Booker CF. L
Moore. 2B. R
Ahuna SS. L
Merritt RF. R
Burke 1B. L
Denton 3B. S
Dickey LF. L
Stark C. R
Miller DH. L

Righties:
Jaslove. SS
Ensley DH/1B
Taylor C
Payne 1B/3B
Backus OF

Lefties:
Scott. CF
Tears RF/DH
Chambers UT/DH
Dreiling OF/DH
Chapman OF/DH/3B
 
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#74
#74
preacherman20 said:
Remember Merritt will not play the first two games due to being ejected in his last game at University of Cincinnati. He and Coach A will have to sit the first two games in Arizona.
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I forgot about that but remember now from the podcast. Here’s my stab at it with Merritt out.

Moore 2B. R
Booker CF. L
Denton 3B. S
Burke 1B. L
Dickey LF L
Stark. C. R
Dreiling RF. L
Ensley DH. R
Ahuna SS L
 
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#75
#75
preacherman20 said:
Remember Merritt will not play the first two games due to being ejected in his last game at University of Cincinnati. He and Coach A will have to sit the first two games in Arizona.
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Frank won’t even be allowed in the park, will he?
 
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