Just about all of the signs are negative heading into Tulane's series at USF that start tonight, but you never know for sure until they play the games. If the Green Wave wins the series, it will still have life despite being under .500 for the year.
The key game is tonight. On paper this is one Tulane almost certainly will lose. USF has a dominant left-hander, and the Wave has struggled against mediocre lefties. Kaleb Roper had his worst performance of the year in his last road start (six runs in two innings at Long Beach State) and did not inspire much confidence while beating Cincinnati last Friday, walking six in six innings. This one has all the makings of a 7-1 loss, but if Tulane wins, it will set up well for the rest of the weekend. Ben White is no sure thing on Friday, but at least he throws strikes. Keagan Gillies has been terrific at the back end of the rotation, and he has impeccable control.
My prediction is South Florida taking 2 of 3, but it is still early enough in the season for a turnaround. Kody Hoese has to perform better than he has in the last few games batting behind Grant Witherspoon, who is having a terrific year despite opponents pitching around him. The top of the order is potentially quite good with Artigues, Witherspoon, Hoese and Trevor Jensen.
Tulane is 7-2 against USF in AAC series, winning 2 of 3 at Turchin Stadium in 2015 and 2017 and sweeping the Bulls in Tampa in 2016. I doubt that means much this year, but for whatever reason, the Wave has played well against USF.
But the pitchers have to throw strikes. Incredibly, Tulane is walking batters as almost the same rate as last year's historically bad level, and just about everyone in the bullpen is struggling. It's to the point that Travis Jewett singled out Ross Massey for having lively stuff against Southeastern on Tuesday when he gave up three hits in one inning. I guess it was that he did not walk anyone.
The key game is tonight. On paper this is one Tulane almost certainly will lose. USF has a dominant left-hander, and the Wave has struggled against mediocre lefties. Kaleb Roper had his worst performance of the year in his last road start (six runs in two innings at Long Beach State) and did not inspire much confidence while beating Cincinnati last Friday, walking six in six innings. This one has all the makings of a 7-1 loss, but if Tulane wins, it will set up well for the rest of the weekend. Ben White is no sure thing on Friday, but at least he throws strikes. Keagan Gillies has been terrific at the back end of the rotation, and he has impeccable control.
My prediction is South Florida taking 2 of 3, but it is still early enough in the season for a turnaround. Kody Hoese has to perform better than he has in the last few games batting behind Grant Witherspoon, who is having a terrific year despite opponents pitching around him. The top of the order is potentially quite good with Artigues, Witherspoon, Hoese and Trevor Jensen.
Tulane is 7-2 against USF in AAC series, winning 2 of 3 at Turchin Stadium in 2015 and 2017 and sweeping the Bulls in Tampa in 2016. I doubt that means much this year, but for whatever reason, the Wave has played well against USF.
But the pitchers have to throw strikes. Incredibly, Tulane is walking batters as almost the same rate as last year's historically bad level, and just about everyone in the bullpen is struggling. It's to the point that Travis Jewett singled out Ross Massey for having lively stuff against Southeastern on Tuesday when he gave up three hits in one inning. I guess it was that he did not walk anyone.
