Ole Miss Rebel Baseball: Kentucky Weekend Series Preview

The Ole Miss Rebels travel to the Bluegrass State this weekend to take on the Kentucky Wildcats in an SEC series that the Rebs could use to gain significant momentum in the tail end of the season. The Rebels come into the series having lost three of the last four, while Kentucky has won four of their last five, including a series in College Station against Texas A&M. As of late, we have been saying every weekend how huge the upcoming series is for the Rebels, but this may be one of the biggest for a few reasons. First, these two teams are only separated by a half game in the SEC standings. Secondly, the Rebels, after dropping a home series to LSU last weekend, desperately need to pick up a road series win.  Finally, the series against Kentucky currently represents a critical RPI boosting opportunity remaining on the schedule.

These two teams represent two of the SEC leaders in most offensive categories as evidenced by the chart comparison below.  At the plate, the Wildcats are led by A.J. Reed who leads the SEC in most individual offensive categories, including 16 HRs.  Rebel first baseman, Sikes Orvis currently sits at 2nd with 9 HRs.

Kentucky currently sits at 27-14 on the season and 9-9 in the conference.  The Wildcats have been a bit of mystery at home this season taking two from South Carolina and Florida and in a head scratcher lost two to Missouri.

Friday starter A.J. Reed, a left handed junior, is currently 7-1 on the year with a 2.15 ERA. AJ will be making his 25^th consecutive Friday start.   In 71 innings of work, AJ has allowed 62 hits (17 extra base hits) and 25 runs (17 earned).  Reed has struck out 46 batters while walking 18. Opponents are hitting .233 against him this season. Yes, this is the same A.J. Reed that leads the SEC in homeruns. Dude's talented.

A.J. Reed will face off against righty Chris Ellis who is currently 5-0 with a 1.72 ERA for the Rebels.  Chris has 41 strikeouts in 62.2 innings pitched, and opponents are hitting .248 against him this season.

Saturday starter Dylan Dwyer, a left handed sophomore, has a 5-1 record with a 3.40 ERA.  In 45.0 innings pitched, Dwyer has allowed 38 hits (nine extra base hits) and 19 runs (17 earned).  He has 40 strikeouts to go along with only 13 walks. Opponents are hitting .233 of Dylan this year. Last season, Dylan was 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in 14 appearances (no starts).

Dylan Dwyer will face off against lefty Christian Trent who is 5-0 with a 2.18 ERA. Through 66.0 innings, Trent has struck out 54 men while only allowing 10 walks. Opponents are hitting .220 this season off Christian.

Sunday starter Andrew Nelson, right handed junior, has struggled some this year posting a 1-4 record with a 4.44 ERA.  In 48.2 innings of work, Nelson has allowed 55 hits and 30 runs (24 earned). Andrew doesn't get a lot of strikeouts with only 24 on the season to go along with 12 walks. Opponents are hitting .294 off him this season. Nelson pitched last season at Cuesta College in which he was a first team all-conference pitcher.

Andrew Nelson will be facing off against Sam Smith. Sam has worked eight straight quality starts for the Rebels on Sunday. Sam is currently 5-3 on the season with a 2.32 ERA. In 62.0 innings of work, Sam has 34 strikeouts to go along with 12 walks. Opponents are hitting .245 against Sam this season.

Team Stats:

• ERA: Kentucky 3.73 (12^th in SEC)
  Ole Miss 2.25 (2^nd in SEC, 6^th NCAA)
• Opposing Batting Average: Kentucky .264 (12^th SEC)
  Ole Miss .227 (7^th SEC)
• Strikeouts: Kentucky 254 (14^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 320 (5^th SEC)
• Runs Allowed: Kentucky 198 (13^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 121 (3^rd SEC)
• Hits Allowed: Kentucky 371 (11^th SEC)
  Ole Miss 321 (7^th SEC)

Predictions:

• Ghost - Rebs win Friday night, fall Saturday and Sunday
• @BlakeKirbyReb - Rebs win one
• @Fit4LifeLLC - Ole Miss wins the series