Well, that was fun.
LSU swept Oklahoma this weekend, taking all 3 games in a showdown of teams both in the Top 10 of the college baseball polls.
We have a lot to say, so let’s get started. Here’s our 5 takes from the Tigers’ weekend sweep.
5 TAKES AS LSU SWEEPS OKLAHOMA
1. The polls are stupid – The polls are dumb in college baseball. I said it. D-U-M-B. They are made by magazines that sell subscriptions and people who sell subscriptions have a vested interest in the entire country being included and multiple conferences being represented. LSU came into this weekend 7th – with a 7-2 record in the SEC with both losses on the road to a Top 5 team. Find me 6 teams better than them. Hell, find me one team better than them. I’ll wait. The polls are dumb and mean next to zero in college baseball. LSU is a Top 3 team at absolute worst.
2. The ‘on schedule Tigers’ remain tough – Remember last weekend, we told you that LSU would be awfully tough if they can stay an ‘on schedule’ team. The Tigers did that this weekend. When LSU can get length and effectiveness from all 3 starters and can mix and match Zac Cowan and Casan Evans in save situations, this team will be awfully hard to beat. Gavin Guidry comes back next week. If he’s a dude, LSU goes from good to great. If the Tigers can develop one more arm on top of those 6, they go from great to dogpiling. LSU did not allowed an earned run this weekend. That’s incredible.
3. Jared Jones is making a bundle – Jared Jones opted to return to LSU for his junior season, despite being selected in the 2024 MLB Draft. Good decision, kid. Jones has worked on his game and has become more than a power hitter and a real force in the Tigers’ lineup, working the ball to all fields and hitting for a .400 average. He’s also made strides defensively and is becoming a plus-glove on the right side of the defense. We love to see it. Kid is making himself a bag.
4. Eyanson and Shores … oh my! – If Jay Johnson could bottle and sell what he got from Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores this weekend, he’d make a bundle. The 2-3 starters for LSU combined for 11.2 innings with 6 hits allowed and 12 strikeouts. That plays. The walks were still a little bit of an issue for both, but they kept the big inning out of the equation and that’s all those cats need to do to be super effective.
5. Stanfield an unsung hero of this team – Where would LSU be without Chris Stanfield? The Auburn transfer has come in and has made a HUGE impact. Defensively, he’s a stud and makes tons of great plays, often making them look routine. But offensively, he’s emerged as a weapon and he leaves Norman hitting .327 after a 6-hit series. Again, that plays.
6. LSU defense outstanding – all things considered – The LSU defense was not perfect this weekend. The Tigers committed 3 errors and had a few mistakes here and there. But c’mon, let’s have some perspective. The wind was blowing 25-30 mph all weekend, it was freezing and on Saturday, the game was played in a misting rain. In that kind of weather, all you want is to make MOST of the routine plays, and they did that while also even making some exceptional plays.
7. Jacked up for Tuesday – LSU plays Nicholls on Tuesday and yours truly will be on the call on ESPN+. I’m jacked up. Sorry for a little self-promotion, but tune in and hear me call my first LSU game.
8. Prepare to be annoyed – Not at my commentary on Tuesday (OK, maybe that, too). but LSU next plays at Auburn and their field is an absolute mess. It’s a hitter’s dream – it’s 320 down the lines and just 360 in the alleys. If you get hold of one, it’s going out. If you don’t get hold of one, but someone blows in the right direction, it’s going out. If you bunt and there’s a head wind, it’s going out. OK, I exaggerate, but it’s not my favorite park. You can get way too many cheap home runs and swing a game.