Tennessee baseball is back in action this weekend when they travel north on Interstate 75 to face Kentucky in a three-game series. The Vols are looking for their second straight series win while Kentucky is looking to get back on strong footing after a rough few weeks.
Here’s how to watch the three games and more details on the SEC weekend series in Lexington.
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How To Watch: Tennessee baseball (30-15, 10-11 SEC) at Kentucky (27-15, 9-12 SEC)
Game one: 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, May 1
Announcers — PxP: Dick Gabriel, CC: Keith Madison
Watch: SEC Network+
Game two: 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2
Announcers — PxP: Dick Gabriel, CC: Keith Madison
Watch: SEC Network+
Game three: 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 3
Announcers — PxP: Dick Gabriel, CC: Keith Madison
Watch: SEC Network+
Tennessee Is Mixing Up Its Weekend Rotation
The Vols have only used four starting pitchers in SEC play, but are now rolling with their fourth different rotation in eight SEC series.
Tegan Kuhns is back on Friday night after posting a 1.52 ERA in his last five appearances. With a 2-5 record in SEC series openers, Tennessee is looking to be better on Friday night. Moving Kuhns back into the opening spot gives Tennessee its best chance.
After starting on Sunday every week of the season to date, Evan Blanco is starting on Saturday against the Wildcats.. The left-handed pitcher has been a consistent force for Tennessee this season, posting a 4.35 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 41.1 innings pitched in SEC play.
Landon Mack is moving to the Sunday starter spot after posted a 8.48 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched over his last three starts.
Projected Starting Pitching
Friday:
Vols RHP Tegan Kuhns (3-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 59 IP, 73 K, 11 BB) vs. LHP Ben Cleaver (1-3, 4.60 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 29.1 IP, 34 K, 20 BB)
Saturday:
Vols LHP Evan Blanco (5-2, 3.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 61 IP, 75 K, 20 BB) vs. RHP Jaxon Jelkin (6-2, 3.96 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 63.2 IP, 69 K, 16 BB)
Sunday:
Vols RHP Landon Mack (3-4, 5.01 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 55.2 IP, 71 K, 23 BB) vs. RHP Connor Mattison (2-1, 5.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 31 IP, 35 K, 11 BB)
Kentucky Has Lost Six Straight Series
Kentucky came out the gates hot in SEC play, sweeping Alabama in Lexington to begin conference play. But the Wildcats have lost six straight series since. They have done a good job of avoiding disaster, winning one game every weekend to keep them in striking distance of a NCAA Tournament appearance,
But the Wildcats likely need to get at least one more series win to make the NCAA Tournament. They had a disappointing performance last weekend, dropping two of three games against South Carolina.
With a road series against Florida and a home series against Arkansas left on the schedule, the Wildcats desperately need to win this series.
Prediction
Kentucky has been Tennessee’s kryptonite in past seasons because of its small ball style. But this Tennessee team has the best fielding percentage in the SEC and has been much better at holding runners than past teams.
Combine that with a Tennessee lineup that seems to be finding its footing and a Kentucky team that’s struggling as of late and I like the Vols to get the job done.
Tennessee wins two of three games
