Gators go to JAX to play the Dolphins. JU is currently 5-3, 0-0 in Atlantic Sun. They took 1 and lost 2 to Kent State opening weekend, lost to FSU, then swept Siena 4 games last weekend. The same Siena we're playing the weekend after Miami. TV: None Radio: WRUF 98.1 FM / 850 AM Listen Live - ESPN 98.1 FM - 850 AM WRUF Stats: SIDEARMLiveStats Weather: 81 Deg at the start and 74 to finish. 1-4% chance of precip. WSW wind @ 9-13 = blowing out to center field Starting Gator: #13 R-So RHP Slater (1-0, 4.76) Starting Earl: #42 R-Jr RHP Bryce Fisher (0-1, 21.00) Go Gators!
Now is the time to make great strides in cleaning up our game……. Obviously our hitting is holding its own. Consistency is the key. Let that be our season long goal. Mental preparedness is crucial for the execution of all parts of the game. Unforced errors are something that we have control over and eliminating them from our game is critical. This includes base running errors as well as errors with the leather. This same preparedness is also key for our pitchers successes. There is no defense for walks—free passes can only prolong all defensive efforts. Unless it’s called “put him on” from the dugout walks only crank up their offense—which is no goal of our pitching staff. Attached directly to the walks as a pitcher is the missing your spot when you have 2 strikes on any hitter. Our intensity levels to execute pitches and record outs with two strikes ought to be the number one priority for every time that opportunity is there. Let’s get every part of our game rolling in the right direction tomorrow vs JU.
Amen. I will add, it's time to clean up the defense behind the plate with all 3 guys......being solid up the middle starts right there
This is when you attack a hitter's weakness but not everytime. Throwing a waste pitch is just a wasted pitch and expected in an 0-2 count. Some times you cross the hitter up.
JU is usually very competitive and they get fired up to play us and FSU. They're off to a weak-hitting start this year, batting only .228 as a team with their leading hitter at .300. They have 61 hits and 7 HR in 8 games with 75 K's. Team ERA is 5.38 with a .251 BA against. Their fielding percentage is 97.1%, with 9 errors, but they've thrown out 8 baserunners in 12 stolen vase attempts. I agree with the above - that we should start sharpening things up to get ready for Miami. FYI - Kris Armstrong is hitting .233 starting all 8 games, with 2 HR and a team leading 10 RBI with 13 K's.
Greg Maddux the best I ever saw at 0-2. Didn’t believe in being 2 feet outside 0-2. Always around the plate.
JU beat us two years ago in a 10-9 game. Since 2020 JU came close 3 other times in 1 run losses. I believe we are better than the last few teams but history says we better be ready.
Hoping it's our guys that "hit a mistake" from the opposing Earl, on an 0-2 count. Totally pleased the way the sticks are working this year. Keep swingin' boys. GO GATORS!!!!
SLATED TO START In line to start Tuesday's game at JU, Slater's best career outing arguably occurred vs. Jacksonville on March 8 of last season. Slater earned his first-career win in that contest, tossing five shutout, one-hit innings of relief with zero walks and two strikeouts. Tuesday's start marks the fourth of Slater's career and his second-ever appearance against the Dolphins. Home-and-Home with Jacksonville Up Next for No. 6 Florida - Florida Gators
Our bullpen has got to improve. We can't have them coming in plunking batters and walking in runs. Our bats are hot, but we all know SEC pitchers are much better then we have seen so far. This batting average will come down and home runs will not be as plentiful. We need to rely on pitching at some point, and right now this has to get better in order to survive the gauntlet to come.
Sully was very complimentary of Fisher for throwing strikes, even though he gave up a few runs. Some in the bullpen need to take note