With a crucial series against LSU looming, Mizzou needs a positive weekend to keep its Hoover hopes going in the right direction.
Missouri baseball’s series against LSU this weekend marks the beginning of the second half of Southeastern Conference play.
Despite being in last in the SEC East, Mizzou (17-21, 5-10 SEC) sits in a tie for 11th in the overall standings. The top 12 teams make it to Hoover. LSU (23-15, 3-12) is on the outside looking in, coming into this series in 13th place.
Despite being the defending national champion, Jay Johnson’s squad is having a rough go of it this year — the Bayou Bengals are yet to win an SEC series this year. This plays into Mizzou’s favor because a series that was once viewed as a guaranteed loss and probable sweep in the preseason is now winnable.
For both teams it’s particularly crucial. LSU hasn’t missed regionals since 2007 and certainly would if it failed to qualify for the SEC Tournament. Likewise, while it may not have been stated, Mizzou’s clear goal for Year 1 under Kerrick Jackson is to make it to Hoover.
In two of the past three seasons, 10 wins has gotten to Hoover — in 2022, 12 were required. So let’s split the difference and say the teams will need 11.
If MU takes the series, that puts it at seven wins, meaning, with our hypothetical win total, it would only need four wins in its final four series of conference play. That’s extremely doable.
Mizzou’s remaining series include facing Tennessee and Mississippi State on the road and hosting South Carolina and Auburn.
If MU drops the series, it’s not quite as doomed as LSU would be, but it would surely be difficult. Mizzou would likely need to sweep Auburn (19-17, 2-13), who currently sits in the cellar of the SEC standings, when the teams play May 10-12 in Columbia.
For LSU, a series loss could leave them all but out of the race to Hoover. If the MU takes two out of the three, LSU would need six to seven wins in its last four series. That’s a tall order.
Even through the struggles of this season, LSU still brings a dangerous three-headed offensive monster to Columbia this weekend. Third baseman Tommy White, first baseman Jared Jones, and designated hitter Hayden Travinski all hold an OPS over 1.000. White is expected to be a first-round pick this summer’s MLB Draft.
With the stakes so high for each team, I expect some competitive baseball at Taylor Stadium this weekend.
Weekend Schedule
Friday @ 7 p.m. — RHP Logan Lunceford (MU) vs LHP Gage Jump (LSU) — SEC Network
Saturday @ 4 p.m. — LHP Javyn Pimental (MU) vs RHP Luke Holman (LSU) — SEC Network+
Sunday @ 2 p.m. — TBD (MU) vs TBD (LSU) — SEC Network+