Week 9 review
Auburn
The Tigers traveled to Gainesville last weekend and picked up a huge series win over Florida. Auburn won two out of three games, improving to 31-21 overall and 11-16 in conference play. The Tigers’ chances to make the 12-team SEC tournament field improved drastically over the weekend. Auburn closes out the regular season at home versus Arkansas.
Alabama
The Crimson Tide defeated Missouri in two out of three games last weekend, including a 7-6 thrilling victory to close out the series. Alabama’s record improved to 31-22 overall and 13-13 in league play. If the Crimson Tide finishes the season strongly, they have a great chance of making the NCAA tournament field. Alabama travels to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt this weekend.
SEC baseball rankings
1. Vanderbilt (46-6, 24-2)
2. LSU (46-7, 21-6)
3. South Carolina (38-14, 16-10)
4. Arkansas (34-17, 17-9)
5. Ole Miss (35-18, 14-13)
6. Mississippi State (38-15, 14-13)
7. Alabama (31-22, 13-13)
8. Auburn (31-21, 11-16)
9. Florida (28-25, 13-14)
10. Kentucky (29-22, 10-17)
11. Texas A&M (28-24, 11-15)
12. Missouri (16-30, 8-19)
13. Tennessee (21-28, 7-18)
14. Georgia (19-31, 5-19)
Week 10 Previews and Predictions
Thursday, May 16 – Saturday, May 18
Texas A&M at Tennessee. The weather has been Tennessee’s worst enemy this season. Two of Tennessee’s games against Georgia were canceled, which may cause the Vols to miss the SEC tournament. Tennessee needs to win its series over Texas A&M this weekend and needs Missouri to lose its series against Kentucky. Otherwise, the Volunteers will be sitting at home next week. Series prediction: Tennessee 2, Texas A&M 1.
Arkansas at Auburn. The Tigers finally won a road series last weekend. After struggling away from home all season, Auburn upset Florida in Gainesville. The Razorbacks have consistently been one of the league’s better teams all year, both home and away. Arkansas won two out of three games against Tennessee last weekend. Series prediction: Arkansas 2, Auburn 1.
Florida at Georgia. The Bulldogs are likely out of the SEC tournament, but the Gators have an opportunity to gain momentum entering postseason play. Florida is coming off of a disappointing series loss at home to Auburn, and would greatly benefit from a sweep this weekend in Athens over the struggling Bulldogs. Series prediction: Florida 3, Georgia 0.
Kentucky at Missouri. At this point, it looks like the Tigers will be the last team that makes the SEC tournament. However, if Missouri is swept at home by Kentucky and if Tennessee can steal a game or two against Texas A&M, the Tigers might be on the outside looking in next week. Kentucky is not in danger of missing the con-ference tournament, although the Wildcats have been a disappointment all season. Series prediction: Kentucky 2, Missouri 1.
Alabama at Vanderbilt. The Commodores clinched the regular season SEC title last weekend and will be the top seed in the conference tournament next week. Vanderbilt was unanimously voted number one in the NCAA rankings this week. The Commodores have not lost a series in conference play all year. Series prediction: Vanderbilt 3, Alabama 0.
South Carolina at Mississippi State. The Gamecocks easily swept Georgia last weekend, while Mississippi State lost to rival Ole Miss in Oxford. Both teams are searching for wins to help their tournament seeding for both the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Series prediction: South Carolina 2, Mississippi State 1.
Series of the Week
Ole Miss at LSU. The Tigers clinched the SEC West last weekend and will be the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. LSU defeated Texas A&M in two out of three games. Ole Miss beat archrival Mississippi State twice and moved into fifth place overall in the conference. Not much is at stake in this series, although the Rebels could fall in the standings if they do not win at least one game. Series prediction: LSU 2, Ole Miss 1.