Finally got around to getting an account setup to discuss baseball outside of my articles.
Rutgers is pretty solid team, as mentioned, with a trio of power hitters in the lineup. Chris Brito, Jordan Sweeney and Ryan Lasko combine for 22/31 home runs and are also the top 3 on the team in total bases by a sizable amount. Getting through those three guys will be the challenge all weekend. Mike Nyisztor is another interesting player, as he is batting .370 and has a .500 OBP, but has only started 12 games, so we will have to see how much he plays.
Their starting staff is somewhat underrated and knows how to limit walks. Harry Rutkowski is the presumed Friday starter, posting a 2.90 ERA on the season, while Ben Wereski is the #2, with a 3.21 ERA. The thing about Wereski is that he does not walk batters. Just 4 walks in 33.2 innings. Their #3 is Brent Teller and while is ERA is a little higher (5.56) he does not walk a lot of guys either. The three guys combine for 87 strikeouts and 25 walks in 96.2 innings. The #4 starter on the weekend will likely be Justin Sinibaldi (3.37 ERA).
Kyle Muller (2.31 ERA) and Nate McLain (2.70 ERA) are the best two bullpen arms for Rutgers and much like the starters they limit walks. The two have walked a combined two batters in 25 innings of work.
If the Hawks want to win they are going to have to bring the bats for a full four game series because, barring a meltdown from the Rutgers staff, they arent going to give a lot of free bases.
Should be a really good series, but the next three weeks are going to be really important facing Rutgers, Maryland, Northwestern and Indiana.
