LSU baseball is in Norman, Oklahoma for the Tiger's fourth SEC series on the schedule. Oklahoma joined the SEC this year and this is LSU's first meeting with OU as conference foes. LSU already saw Texas, Oklahoma's fellow newcomer. So far, that series is LSU's only series loss of the year.
The Tigers will hope for a different result on this road trip.
Oklahoma ranks No. 10 nationally, according to D1Baseball's latest top 25. The Sooners are coming off a midweek win vs. Texas Tech and sit 23-5 on the year. Oklahoma is tough to beat at home with a 15-1 record in Norman.
LSU has a chance to boost its resume with a series win. LSU missed that opportunity on the road at Texas two weeks ago. Now, another top-10 opponent presents itself with LSU riding a five-game win streak.
We'll take a look at everything you need to know about this series before the first pitch on Thursday night.
Duel of ace's on Thursday night
Thursday night features one of the best pitching matchups we'll see all year as LSU's Kade Anderson takes the ball vs. Oklahoma's Kyson Witherspoon. Anderson and Witherspoon both rank top five in the SEC in strikeouts and have the attention of MLB scouts.
Witherspoon's 2.31 ERA ranks third in the conference. His opposing batting average allowed of .186 ranks sixth. Anderson's 3.52 ERA isn't quite on Witherspoon's level, but it's a top 15 mark in the SEC.
Witherspoon's fastball can hit the upper-90s, pairing it with a wipeout slider. Anderson features a deep pitch mix and isn't afraid to use the curveball or the slider to get outs.
Anderson struggled last week, allowing five earned runs vs. Mississippi State, but he's a good bet to bounce back on Thursday night. Expect runs to be at a premium in the series opener.
LSU will have the pitching advantage on Friday
If LSU can get the win on Thursday, the Tigers are in a good position to take the series. LSU will have the pitching advantage on Friday with Anthony Eyanson on the mound. For the Sooners, Malachi Witherspoon, Kyson's twin, will get the ball.
Malachi Witherspoon has talent, but he isn't having the same success as his brother. Alabama tagged Witherspoon for eight runs last week, although only five were earned. Earlier in the year, Witherspoon allowed six earned runs vs. South Carolina.
Eyanson hasn't been perfect, but he has swing-and-miss stuff and has only surrendered one home run this year. I like LSU's chances on Friday.
OU's Dylan Crooks is one of the SEC's top relievers
LSU will see the SEC's save leaders this weekend -- Dylan Crooks.
Crooks nine saves sit atop the SEC and he has 10 scoreless appearances on the year. If Witherspoon hands the ball off to Crews on Thursday night, OU has a good shot of stealing game one.
However, Crooks isn't unhittable. He doesn't rack up the strikeouts and LSU will have chances to put the ball in play.
LSU's bats can outpower Oklahoma
LSU has the better lineup in this series.
The Tigers lead the SEC in batting average and rank second in on-base percentage. LSU will drive the ball to the gap, leading the SEC in doubles. The Tigers rank top five in walks while having one of the lowest strikeout rates in the conference.
Oklahoma ranks outside the top 10 in most key offensive categories. The Sooners are 10th in batting ...
