I would use Manning. Wouldn’t announce anything until the last moment BUT I would pick Manning because you will probably need Nesbit for Game 2 and Game 3. And the moment shouldn’t be too big for him given his start in Miami.
And here are the batting averages comparisons from 3/14 before the conference season started and now half way thru conference play. Player------------3/14 AVG--4/19 AVG---DIFF Halter, Colby-------- .391----- .272 -------(-.119) Langford, Wyatt---- .377------ .348 -------(-.029) Thompson, Sterlin-- .358------ .336 ------(-.022) Riopelle, BT---------- .318----- .317 -------(-.001) Fabian, Jud---------- .310------ .291 ------(-.019) Calilao, Kendrick---- .286----- .257 -------(-.029) Fabian, Deric-------- .278----- .231 -------(-.047) Armstrong, Kris----- .227----- .222 -------(-.005) Rivera, Josh--------- .216----- .282 ------- +.066 Guscette, Mac------- .143----- .246 ------- +.103 Certainly Halter had the most to lose since he has the biggest drop but that also compounds the point how much we are missing his ability at the top of the order. Then we flip the script to see how bad Guscette was sitting 5 weeks ago and obviously has gained the most. Give him credit even though the last two weeks haven't helped with Mac. Props to Langford, Sterlin and Riopelle for holding their own from their lofty positions. But the big winner is Rivera who, like last year, has raised his average during SEC play. Granted most anyone, not named Armstrong, who has dropped less than 30 points is doing about right. Shout out to Jud Fabian who is continually working his way back up the list and now has the 4th best batting average on the team along with leading the conference in HRs and Walks.
If Barco can't go, that really puts our backs against the wall vs. Tennessee. But they have to go with what they've got. Manning has always had the stuff. That's why O'Sullivan has given him chance after chance, both last year and this. If he could just avoid walks, HBP and hanging curves, he could be great. But the consistency has just never been there. Pogue was great tonight in his 22 pitches. What will be will be, right?
Averages in conference play going into Tennessee game: Langford 333 Riopelle 328 Guscette 304 Sterlin 276 Rivera 268 Armstrong 250 Calilao 245 Jud 228 Halter 194 Fabian 163
87— You may be correct—at least I’m glad to know Manning’s mechanics are being worked on going in the right direction. I feel like if Barco’s not available though all of the questions posed last night ref: Pogue’s early exit are now self explanatory—he was good with both command and outcome so exit around something positive to have him ready to go this weekend.
There's a portion of the article in this link that talks about Barco being evaluated by medical staff today to determine if he's going to be able to start Friday. Notebook: Resiliency against Stetson key before facing Vols, Barco update
As critical as Barco is to this team, I personally would like to see him take a week off. The season will be determined by the last 4 series imo. 12 games against relatively weaker competition, UF needs 7-8 of them. UF needs 13 SEC wins imo. 7 more from 15 games. The RPI will be sufficient no matter which 7 UF wins so save Barco and get him ready for the stretch run in my view.
His body language while on the mound in Nashville looked more like pulled or strained at least lat muscle or something going on with his rib cage—it’s practically impossible to drive, extend, release, and follow through with that type of issue…. We will just have to wait on word from Sully.
I'm just hoping the Vols are ready for a normal baseball slump where the better team just has things go wrong and they lose a few games. It happens and at 34-3, they're overdue.
If Sully has to replace Barco on Friday he might go with someone that can give him 5 innings if the outing goes well enough. That would leave him choosing between Manning and Slater. Manning hasn't pitched against SEC teams in 4 weeks. Slater pitched 2 decent innings at Vandy on Fri/Sat. Slater has pitched 30 innings and Manning only has 17. Nick Fic has gone 40 innings but has been shaky as of late. All other pitchers with less than 20 innings have been in for short appearances, less than 3 innings. Nesbitt and Pogue still seem to be in a pitch count situation.
No real need to speculate at this point—Sully will announce whatever it’s going to be. We just have to be ready to roll.
Yogi also said, "In baseball you don't know nothing." and, "The future ain't what it used to be." and "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future."
Yogi also said: "I never said half the things I said" (although it's quite possible that he never said this either).