@ND Baseball (Poll)

[GTNavyNuke]

We travel to the frozen tundra this weekend for ND's weekend home opener. Damn cold and windy most of the weekend.

ND has played all their games until last night away for good reason. Last night when it was warmer, they run ruled Butler 18-4 for their home opener.

They have done a very good job of beating poor teams 11 wins to one loss. But were swept by a good Wake team and won one against most likely a better Clemson team. They get their runs - 11 @ Wake and 16 @Clemson. And gave up 36 to Wake but only 16 to Clemson. So they are trending up in ACC weekend play.

I'll take us winning two (no one would reasonably expect us to sweep) and the middle runs categories. But the cold and wind will make it a different game.

 

[bensaysitathome]

Seems like one of those situations where we don't have enough data points. Road series are hard, and "keeping schedule" (win at home, don't get swept on the road) would set the bar at one win.

We know they're not playing good enough to be one of the top ACC teams right now. If we think we're a contender, we need to win two.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Seems like one of those situations where we don't have enough data points. Road series are hard, and "keeping schedule" (win at home, don't get swept on the road) would set the bar at one win.

We know they're not playing good enough to be one of the top ACC teams right now. If we think we're a contender, we need to win two.

I think ND is the best ACC team we have played, but I think we are mo better to take 2. I don't think ND has played this year in the cold weather either. I'd pick 1 against Clempson or Wake or Stanford or FSU.

 

[DecaturJacket]

I think ND is the best ACC team we have played, but I think we are mo better to take 2. I don't think ND has played this year in the cold weather either. I'd pick 1 against Clempson or Wake or Stanford or FSU.

Disagree. ND was projected to finish second to last in the ACC (only in front of BC - and one behind Pitt), is 12-6 (1-5) and only really has one win against a good opponent (salvaging the Sunday game to avoid the sweep against Clemson). Outside of Wake and Clemson, they do only have a bad loss to North Florida, but I don't see anything that would make me believe they're better than either of the ACC teams we've played thus far. They are pretty comparable to Pitt and worse than VT imo. Pitt at least has those first 4 guys in their lineup though. ND has 2 guys batting over .300 and only 6 guys above .200 (1 is at .208). Their pitching may be slightly better than Pitt, but they're not anywhere near VT on either side of the ball.

We should absolutely win at least 2 regardless of home v away. Anything less will be an extreme disappointment imo. You can't play the home v away card against the bottom teams.

EDIT: I guess d1b hasn't updated their stats - ND has 4 guys over .300 now. They had an 18-4 win last night over (6-14) Butler that bumped their stats up. Still nothing crazy though.

 

[DecaturJacket]

OFFENSE

22 Brzustewicz .373/.479/.475, 4 doubles, 1 triple
55 Johnson .345/.457/.586, 1 double, 2 hr
17 Lee .310/.412/.414, 1 double, 1 triple
15 Watters .308/.439/.569, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 hr, 20 rbi

Seems like Watters is their most impt batter. Those other three all have 8 or less rbi. They have a bunch of guys with low batting averages, but seem like they walk a decent amount and knock a bunch of guys in. They don't steal a ton of bases. They don't have much power and don't get many xbh.

PITCHING (based on last weekend)
FRI Radel 1-2 in 4 starts, 17.1 ip, 5.19 era, 15 k, 5 bb, .246 opp ba
SAT Dennies 2-2 in 5 starts, 22.0 ip, 5.73 era, 22 k, 4 bb, .256 opp ba
SUN Fox 0-1 in 4 starts, 14.2 ip, 3.68 era, 21 k, 5 bb, .259 opp ba

Reeth 7 app, 15.2 ip, 3.45 era, 18 k, 3 bb, .224 opp ba
Helwig 6 app, 13.2 ip, 5.27 era, 16 k, 10 bb, .231 opp ba
Van Ameyde 6 app, 13.0 ip, 3.46 era, 15 k, 3 bb, .233 opp ba
McDonough 6 app, 10.0 ip, 2.70 era, 9 k, 5 bb, .194 opp ba

 

[bensaysitathome]

OFFENSE

22 Brzustewicz .373/.479/.475, 4 doubles, 1 triple
55 Johnson .345/.457/.586, 1 double, 2 hr
17 Lee .310/.412/.414, 1 double, 1 triple
15 Watters .308/.439/.569, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 hr, 20 rbi

Seems like Watters is their most impt batter. Those other three all have 8 or less rbi. They have a bunch of guys with low batting averages, but seem like they walk a decent amount and knock a bunch of guys in. They don't steal a ton of bases. They don't have much power and don't get many xbh.

PITCHING (based on last weekend)
FRI Radel 1-2 in 4 starts, 17.1 ip, 5.19 era, 15 k, 5 bb, .246 opp ba
SAT Dennies 2-2 in 5 starts, 22.0 ip, 5.73 era, 22 k, 4 bb, .256 opp ba
SUN Fox 0-1 in 4 starts, 14.2 ip, 3.68 era, 21 k, 5 bb, .259 opp ba

Reeth 7 app, 15.2 ip, 3.45 era, 18 k, 3 bb, .224 opp ba
Helwig 6 app, 13.2 ip, 5.27 era, 16 k, 10 bb, .231 opp ba
Van Ameyde 6 app, 13.0 ip, 3.46 era, 15 k, 3 bb, .233 opp ba
McDonough 6 app, 10.0 ip, 2.70 era, 9 k, 5 bb, .194 opp ba

Yeah they're not excelling in pitching or hitting. In our young season so far, GT is 2nd in hitting, 7th in pitching. ND is last in hitting, 12th in pitching. At a glance, we should win this one.

BUT - their conference schedule has undoubtedly been tougher, and their best pitcher seems to pitch on Sunday, which I think we've established on this board as our weakest day.

Anything can happen, but I'm excited to see how it goes. Specifically the bullpen management.

 

[FredJacket]

Yeah they're not excelling in pitching or hitting. In our young season so far, GT is 2nd in hitting, 7th in pitching. ND is last in hitting, 12th in pitching. At a glance, we should win this one.

BUT - their conference schedule has undoubtedly been tougher, and their best pitcher seems to pitch on Sunday, which I think we've established on this board as our weakest day.

Anything can happen, but I'm excited to see how it goes. Specifically the bullpen management.

Going into a weekend series planning to pitch your best guy on Sunday is announcing you expect to lose the series and just HOPE you won't get swept & perhaps luck into winning 2.

 

[DecaturJacket]

Yeah they're not excelling in pitching or hitting. In our young season so far, GT is 2nd in hitting, 7th in pitching. ND is last in hitting, 12th in pitching. At a glance, we should win this one.

BUT - their conference schedule has undoubtedly been tougher, and their best pitcher seems to pitch on Sunday, which I think we've established on this board as our weakest day.

Anything can happen, but I'm excited to see how it goes. Specifically the bullpen management.

Their conference schedule thus far has no doubt been tougher, but they also were projected to be second to last in the conference for a reason. They haven't exactly looked very good in a lot of their wins over bad teams. 2 late inning wins very a bad Belmont team and a few almost collapses in some other bad games.

Like you said, it's still baseball. However, we have more talent than them and SHOULD be able to take this series pretty easily.

 

[MWBATL]

I’m not feelin’ it yet. If Paden is available and can play a mojor role, then I think we win 2 (maybe even sweep). Without him, in the cold wintry wet northlands, I think our hitting goes whoosh like the winter wind and our pitching….well, we’ll see. Give me one win and hope I’m so wrong that everyone picks on me….

 

[CINCYMETJACKET]

We travel to the frozen tundra this weekend for ND's weekend home opener. Damn cold and windy most of the weekend.

View attachment 17995

ND has played all their games until last night away for good reason. Last night when it was warmer, they run ruled Butler 18-4 for their home opener.

They have done a very good job of beating poor teams 11 wins to one loss. But were swept by a good Wake team and won one against most likely a better Clemson team. They get their runs - 11 @ Wake and 16 @Clemson. And gave up 36 to Wake but only 16 to Clemson. So they are trending up in ACC weekend play.

I'll take us winning two (no one would reasonably expect us to sweep) and the middle runs categories. But the cold and wind will make it a different game.

Damn Nuke. I looked last week (or earlier this week), and it was mid to high 40's to low to mid 50's forecast all weekend. Didn't see any of that 39 stuff. But, I've been there, done that, so I'll just throw all my winter weather gear in my car and hope for the best. Go Jackets!

 

[GTNavyNuke]

Damn Nuke. I looked last week (or earlier this week), and it was mid to high 40's to low to mid 50's forecast all weekend. Didn't see any of that 39 stuff. But, I've been there, done that, so I'll just throw all my winter weather gear in my car and hope for the best. Go Jackets!

I saw you on TV with your winter gear once. Ready for a polar expedition. It's "springtime" baseball. Have fun but expect windburn rather than a tan!

 

[randerto]

I’m not feelin’ it yet. If Paden is available and can play a mojor role, then I think we win 2 (maybe even sweep). Without him, in the cold wintry wet northlands, I think our hitting goes whoosh like the winter wind and our pitching….well, we’ll see. Give me one win and hope I’m so wrong that everyone picks on me….

I'm in agreement - I have bad memories of GT playing in early season cold games up north dating back to playing Pitt a few years ago with snow. I might be too optimistic with two W's but I don't feel good about our likely overall level of play in the cold/windy weather... Baseball isn't meant to be played with wind chill adjusted temps below 40-45...

 

[Techcaster572]

Weekend rotation announced.

Tate - Friday
Brady- Saturday
TBA - Sunday

Now that's interesting.

I'm wondering if Payden gets a shot on Sunday or possibly Patel

 

[bensaysitathome]

Weekend rotation announced.

Tate - Friday
Brady- Saturday
TBA - Sunday

Now that's interesting.

I'm wondering if Payden gets a shot on Sunday or possibly Patel

Payden would have been on a very long rest if it's just to get him ready for Sunday. I'm inclined to believe Patel gets the nod, and Payden is indeed hurt.

 

[Techcaster572]

Payden would have been on a very long rest if it's just to get him ready for Sunday. I'm inclined to believe Patel gets the nod, and Payden is indeed hurt.

The issue I have with Payden being hurt/injured is there would be at least something to indicate he was/is day to day.
HIPPA prevents knowing about the injury, but Giesler was still listed as being out.

I'm not sure what the secrecy is with Payden.

But you are right. The fact that Mason pitched on Saturday would make more sense for him to start on Sunday.

 

[gtbeak]

My guess is that they truly don't know who will start on Sunday, or if there will even be a Sunday game. The weather report for the weekend doesn't look very good. Tomorrow should be OK, and Saturday should be sunny but quite cold. Sunday has a 90% chance of rain starting around 8 AM and continuing most of the day. My guess is that there won't be a Sunday game, and unless they try to play 2 tomorrow this likely is just a 2 game series.

 

[FredJacket]

My guess is that they truly don't know who will start on Sunday, or if there will even be a Sunday game. The weather report for the weekend doesn't look very good. Tomorrow should be OK, and Saturday should be sunny but quite cold. Sunday has a 90% chance of rain starting around 8 AM and continuing most of the day. My guess is that there won't be a Sunday game, and unless they try to play 2 tomorrow this likely is just a 2 game series.

I have not looked at weather but if Sunday weather really does look that bad... they'll play a DH to get 3 in.

 

[gtbeak]

I have not looked at weather but if Sunday weather really does look that bad... they'll play a DH to get 3 in.

Normally I would agree, but a DH in weather where the temps top out at 40? That's a lot of innings in 30 degree weather. They could shoot for a DH tomorrow if our travel schedule allows.

 

[FredJacket]

Normally I would agree, but a DH in weather where the temps top out at 40? That's a lot of innings in 30 degree weather. They could shoot for a DH tomorrow if our travel schedule allows.

I did look at weather. Windy is part of the deal too. South Bend doesn't seem like a very good vacation destination this weekend.

 

[CINCYMETJACKET]

I did look at weather. Windy is part of the deal too. South Bend doesn't seem like a very good vacation destination this weekend.

Yeah, I have a colleague that's going to Croatia for 10 days later this month. I'm going to South Bend to watch baseball in 30 - 50 degree weather. Wow, I need a better vacation planner. Now it was nice when we used to play Miami in March and I could take a 10 day excursion through the east coast of Florida to watch spring training baseball, hit Miami, and then watch more spring training baseball on the way back. But we have not had that opportunity since 2019 I believe.