Auburn Week 5 Review
The Tigers dropped two out of three games on the road at LSU last weekend. After losing the opening game of the series, 3-2, and winning the second game, 6-1, Auburn lost the final game of the series, 6-2. Auburn has only won one series thus far in SEC play, and if the SEC Tournament started today, the Tigers would be on the outside looking in. Auburn is 21-15 overall and 5-10 in league play. The Tigers host Ole Miss this weekend.
Alabama Week 5 Review
The Crimson Tide won its second conference series of the season last weekend over Georgia. Alabama won the opening game, 7-6, in 11 innings, and lost the second game, 8-1. In the final game, the Tide defeated the Bulldogs, 5-2, securing a very important series win. Alabama improved to 19-16 overall and 6-9 in conference play. The Tide travels to Columbia to take on Missouri this weekend.
SEC Baseball Rankings
1. Texas A&M (33-3, 11-3)
2.LSU (31-6, 10-5)
3. Vanderbilt (28-10, 11-4)
4. Florida (28-10, 9-6)
5. Missouri (24-13, 10-5)
6. South Carolina (23-15, 6-9)
7. Arkansas (21-16, 7-8)
8. Ole Miss (18-18, 7-8)
9. Alabama (19-16, 6-9)
10. Mississippi State (22-16, 6-9)
11. Georgia (20-17, 6-9)
12. Kentucky (19-16, 5-9)
13. Auburn (21-15, 5-10)
14. Tennessee (15-17, 5-10)
Week 6 Previews and Predictions
Tennessee at Kentucky. Since only 12 teams make the SEC Tournament in baseball, this series is one of the most important of the weekend. Kentucky is only a half game ahead of Tennessee in the standings, and the loser of this series will be in the bottom two after this weekend of games. As of now, Tennessee and Auburn would miss the SEC tournament. However, that could change depending on the outcome of the Vols/Wildcat series. Series Prediction: Kentucky 2, Tennessee 1.
Vanderbilt at South Carolina. These two schools have been two of the best baseball programs in the country in recent years. The Commodores are the defending NCAA champions, while the Gamecocks recently won two NCAA national titles. Vandy is still one of the best teams in the country, and although South Carolina has had an up-and-down season, the Gamecocks are still a dangerous team. Series Prediction: Vanderbilt 2, South Carolina 1.
LSU at Georgia. LSU is starting to play some of its best baseball of the season, and the Tigers look like one of the best teams in the country right now. Georgia has had a good season thus far, but the Bulldogs are not a lock to make the SEC Tournament. They need to win at least one game against the Tigers this weekend. Series Prediction: LSU 2, Georgia 1.
Florida at Mississippi State. Like LSU, Florida is playing very well right now. The Gators had a down year by their standards last season but have bounced back this year as one of the SEC’s best teams. Mississippi State has been inconsistent this year but still look like a NCAA Tournament team. Series Prediction: Florida 2, Mississippi State 1.
Ole Miss at Auburn. If Ole Miss is going to return to Omaha for another College World Series, it needs to flip the switch soon. The Rebels have been hovering around .500 all season, but as long as they finish with an overall winning record, they should make the NCAA Tournament. Ole Miss has two crucial series victories over Vanderbilt and Florida that will help tremendously with its RPI ranking. At this point, Auburn is just trying to make the SEC Tournament and hoping it can sneak in to the NCAA Tournament. Series Prediction: Ole Miss 2, Auburn 1.
Alabama at Missouri. Missouri has been the most surprising team in the SEC this season. The Tigers’ first few years in the league were difficult, but they finally have a team capable of competing for an SEC title. Alabama has spent most of the season in the middle of the pack in the conference, but as of now the Crimson Tide would be in the SEC Tournament as well as the NCAA Tournament field. Series Prediction: Missouri 2, Alabama 1.
Arkansas at Texas A&M. The Aggies have been one of the most dominant teams in college baseball this season. Texas A&M has only lost three times and have yet to lose a series. The Razorbacks had a slow start to the season but have played very well in recent weeks. Series Prediction: Texas A&M 2, Arkansas 1.