Sports columnist Scott Rabalais weighs in from Omaha with three takeaways on LSU’s matchup with Coastal Carolina in the College World Series final:
1. ACE OR ACE?
LSU coach Jay Johnson declined to name a starter for Saturday’s game against Coastal Carolina’s No. 2 right-hander Cameron Flukey (7-1, 3.29 ERA). The Tigers are expected to start lefty Kade Anderson (11-1, 3.44 ERA), but there’s a case to be made for going with Anthony Eyanson (11-2, 2.92 ERA, 2 saves). A start Saturday may make him more available to come out of the bullpen for some crucial outs if the best-of-three series goes to Monday.
2. OUT FRONT EARLY
The Chanticleers are 37-2 this season when scoring first and 22-3 when scoring in the first inning. Coastal Carolina buried Louisville with a 6-0 first inning last time in an 11-3 victory. On the flip side, LSU is 25-3 when scoring in the first inning and 12-3 when the opponent does. The Tigers are 32-7 when they score first and 19-8 when scoring second. Also, LSU has erased three-run deficits to win eight times this season.
3. OMA-HOT
Weather could be a factor with100-plus degree highs forecast Saturday and Sunday. Saturday could tie or break the record (102 degrees) for the hottest day in CWS history. Then there’s wind: potentially 20-30 mph out of the south and southwest with gusts to 40 that could make hitting home runs to right nearly impossible. Johnson, whose dealt with 19 weather-delayed games, wasn’t fazed. “I didn't hear anything about lightning, right?” he asked. “Then I'm good with everything else.”
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