I read @KyleHuesmann 's Illinois series preview and, to be blunt, two things jump off the page to me:
(1) Illini starting pitching, particularly the Friday and Saturday starters, walk very few batters and force opponents to hit their way onto the base path. One of Iowa's offensive strengths is a keen eye at the plate and getting runners on base via walks. Many rallies result from multiple walks as opposed to hit after hit after hit. I think that this will pose a particular challenge to Iowa's offense. For example . . . with exception of Sunday's game, Iowa had a plethora of runners on base and many of those came via walks. The key (blow the game open) hit remained elusive and both Friday and Saturday's games were close affairs. Something to keep an eye on.
(2) When you add (1) to the fact that the Illini have a solid hitting lineup, Iowa's starting pitching must bring their "A" games from their first to their last pitch. Even though Maryland's pitching held the Illini to relatively few runs over the three game set, I envision that the Illini lineup is going to keep pressure on Iowa's pitching staff all weekend.
Of the three remaining series, I'm most concerned about this one as far as Iowa taking the series. One or two poor starting pitching performance, some defensive lapses and offensive struggles could prove to be awfully problematic.
Looking forward to being in the stands for the weekend games.
(1) Illini starting pitching, particularly the Friday and Saturday starters, walk very few batters and force opponents to hit their way onto the base path. One of Iowa's offensive strengths is a keen eye at the plate and getting runners on base via walks. Many rallies result from multiple walks as opposed to hit after hit after hit. I think that this will pose a particular challenge to Iowa's offense. For example . . . with exception of Sunday's game, Iowa had a plethora of runners on base and many of those came via walks. The key (blow the game open) hit remained elusive and both Friday and Saturday's games were close affairs. Something to keep an eye on.
(2) When you add (1) to the fact that the Illini have a solid hitting lineup, Iowa's starting pitching must bring their "A" games from their first to their last pitch. Even though Maryland's pitching held the Illini to relatively few runs over the three game set, I envision that the Illini lineup is going to keep pressure on Iowa's pitching staff all weekend.
Of the three remaining series, I'm most concerned about this one as far as Iowa taking the series. One or two poor starting pitching performance, some defensive lapses and offensive struggles could prove to be awfully problematic.
Looking forward to being in the stands for the weekend games.
