Scouting report, prediction for Arkansas’ series at Auburn
Arkansas baseball is off to a scintillating start in 2024, but a new challenge arrives this weekend.
The No. 1 Razorbacks (17-2, 3-0 SEC) will play a true road game for the very first time this season with a three-game series at No. 24 Auburn (13-6, 0-3).
The only time Arkansas has left the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium this year was for the Kubota College Baseball Series in Arlington, Texas, which felt like three home games with Hog fans filling out Globe Life Field.
Arkansas swept Missouri to begin its SEC campaign, while Auburn lost all three games of its weekend series at Vanderbilt.
Below is one thing to watch for Arkansas, a more detailed look at Auburn and a series prediction.
How does Arkansas baseball's pitching handle Auburn's offense?
The Razorbacks faced Oregon State in Arlington, but that was one game with Hagen Smith (3-0, 1.57 ERA) on the mound. This weekend's series represents the first multi-day challenge from a fearsome lineup, as Auburn ranks sixth in the SEC in runs, slugging percentage and home runs.
The Arkansas pitching has been dominant and leads the entire country with a 2.35 ERA. The Hogs are fresh, too, with only two relief pitchers logging more than an inning in the series sweep over Missouri. Starters Brady Tygart (3-0, 0.73) and Mason Molina (3-0, 2.74) give Arkansas one of the best rotations in the nation.
All signs point toward continued success in the SEC, but Missouri was not a proper test. The conference exam really begins Thursday night on the Plains
Auburn baseball players to watch
Batters: Cooper McMurray has been one of the best hitters in the country this year, slashing .369/.506/.846. He also ranks inside the top 40 nationally with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs.
But the lineup starts with Cooper Weiss and Ike Irish at the top of the order. When those two are getting on base and setting the table for McMurray, the Tigers are tough to beat. Weiss and Irish are both hitting better than .325 this season, but the duo went 7for-24 (.291) during Auburn's three losses to Vanderbilt this weekend.
Pitchers: On the flip side, the weekend starters have been a weakness for Auburn in 2024. Chase Allsup has been the Game One starter, and he has the highest ERA of the bunch at 7.15. Carson Meyers leads the group with at 4.79. Arkansas will think it has a good opportunity to keep the bats rolling.
Prediction: Arkansas wins series 2-1
Winning on the road in the SEC is never easy, but the Arkansas lineup is coming to life. Combined with the pitching, that's a big problem for conference rivals. The Hogs' winning streak will come to an end against Auburn, but this will be the sixth-straight winning weekend for the Razorbacks.