IU vs Nebraska and O$U: 5/21 - 5/24/21

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,291]

More goofy pandemic scheduling but at least all 4 games are televised at no extra cost for most of us.   Gotta have our act together for these 4 games.   It's going to be a hot weekend in Bloomington and let's hope our bats and pitching are just as hot.  Our regular season concludes next weekend with a 3-game road trip to Maryland.

• Friday:  Nebraska at 8:00 on BTN
• Saturday:  Nebraska at 6:30 on ESPNU
• Sunday:  O$U at 5:00 on BTN
• Monday: O$U at 6:00 on BTN

Radio

Live Stats

[Brass Cannon 24,069]

We need to go 4-0 to have any chance 

[Aaron 4,169]

14 hours ago, Brass Cannon said:

We need to go 4-0 to have any chance 

3-1 would be fine if one of the losses is to OSU or if we split with Cornhsukers and then Nebraska splits with OSU and we sweep Bucks. Reality is we need to make up a game this weekend and get it down to 1/2 game into next weekend to have a chance.

The problem is Friday looks like a major uphill climb, as Sommer has been mediocre lately against Povich who is terrific for Nebraska. Our best chance with the way things lineup is losing Friday and winning the rest of the weekend. Then hope Nebraska splits with OSU.

Breakdowns are:

1. Povich vs. Sommer: Advantage Nebraska

2. Schanaman vs Lonsway: Advantage OSU

3. Hroch vs Brown: Advantage IU

4. Buntz vs. Pfenning (Likely): Advantage Neb

5. Burhenn vs Bierman: Advantage IU 

6. Smith vs Mudungo/Bothwell: Advantage IU 

Unfortunately OSU is holding back there second starter Burhenn who is decent and throwing him against Bierman. I was hoping OSU would throw their top 2 against Nebraska, but obviously a huge relief we don't face Lonsway again who had 17 K's in Columbus against us. 

Obviously it's baseball and anything can happen but if things play out this way when each team has pitching advantage IU is 3-1, Neb 2-2 and OSU 1-3. 

Key is we have to make up a game on Neb regardless of how it happens. Even if Michigan goes two of three and we go three of four we are even with them. Ideally you want Maryland to go 2 of 3 so we are a game up on both Michigan and Maryland. Then two of three by IU and Michigan in last week clinches title for us or a share if Michigan goes 2 of 3 over Maryland this week.

Its a narrower margin now, but three out of four very much keeps us in hunt as long as Nebraska splits the weekend however that happens. 

[btownqb 8,408]

7 minutes ago, Aaron said:

3-1 would be fine if one of the losses is to OSU or if we split with Cornhsukers and then Nebraska splits with OSU and we sweep them. Reality is we need to make up a game this weekend and get it down to 1/2 game into next weekend to have a chance.

The problem is Friday looks like a major uphill climb, as Sommer has been mediocre lately against Povich who is terrific for Nebraska. Our best chance with the way things lineup is losing Friday and winning the rest of the weekend. Then hope Nebraska splits with OSU.

Breakdowns are:

1. Povich vs. Sommer: Advantage Nebraska

2. Hroch or Schanaman vs Lonsway: Advantage OSU

3. Hroch or Schanaman vs Brown: Advantage IU

4. Buntz vs. Smith (Likely): Advantage Neb

5. Burhenn vs Bierman: Advantage IU 

6. TBA vs Mudungo/Bothwell: Advantage IU 

Unfortunately OSU is holding back there second starter Burhenn who is decent and throwing him against Bierman. I was hoping OSU would throw their top 2 against Nebraska, but obviously a huge relief we don't face Lonsway again who had 17 K's in Columbus against us. 

Obviously it's baseball and anything can happen but if things play out this way when each team has pitching advantage IU is 3-1, Neb 2-2 and OSU 1-3. 

Key is we have to make up a game on Neb regardless of how it happens. Even if Michigan goes two of three and we go three of four we are even with them. Ideally you want Maryland to go 2 of 3 so we are a game up on both Michigan and Maryland. Then two of three by IU and Michigan in last week clinches title for us or a share if Michigan goes 2 of 3.

Its a narrower margin now, but three out of four very much keeps us in hunt as long as Nebraska splits the weekend however that happens. 

Crazy all the possibilities that could happen here

[btownqb 8,408]

25 minutes ago, Aaron said:

3-1 would be fine if one of the losses is to OSU or if we split with Cornhsukers and then Nebraska splits with OSU and we sweep them. Reality is we need to make up a game this weekend and get it down to 1/2 game into next weekend to have a chance.

The problem is Friday looks like a major uphill climb, as Sommer has been mediocre lately against Povich who is terrific for Nebraska. Our best chance with the way things lineup is losing Friday and winning the rest of the weekend. Then hope Nebraska splits with OSU.

Breakdowns are:

1. Povich vs. Sommer: Advantage Nebraska

2. Hroch or Schanaman vs Lonsway: Advantage OSU

3. Hroch or Schanaman vs Brown: Advantage IU

4. Buntz vs. Smith (Likely): Advantage Neb

5. Burhenn vs Bierman: Advantage IU 

6. TBA vs Mudungo/Bothwell: Advantage IU 

Unfortunately OSU is holding back there second starter Burhenn who is decent and throwing him against Bierman. I was hoping OSU would throw their top 2 against Nebraska, but obviously a huge relief we don't face Lonsway again who had 17 K's in Columbus against us. 

Obviously it's baseball and anything can happen but if things play out this way when each team has pitching advantage IU is 3-1, Neb 2-2 and OSU 1-3. 

Key is we have to make up a game on Neb regardless of how it happens. Even if Michigan goes two of three and we go three of four we are even with them. Ideally you want Maryland to go 2 of 3 so we are a game up on both Michigan and Maryland. Then two of three by IU and Michigan in last week clinches title for us or a share if Michigan goes 2 of 3.

Its a narrower margin now, but three out of four very much keeps us in hunt as long as Nebraska splits the weekend however that happens. 

Hoping TJ Brock gets a lot of run against Neb on Sunday morning.

[btownqb 8,408]

Dang it. One time here this weekend. Suck it the F up, give us consistent good ABs, Sommer pound the strike zone and bullpen get back to being elite.

You're at home. No excuse for Tues night but it's over and we can't do anything about it. Work counts, that's fine they have their ace on the mound... get his pitch count up and find a way to get him out of the game by the 6th.

[btownqb 8,408]

Going ultra small tonight 

[Aaron 4,169]

Perfect first for Sommer and looked terrific doing it. Need that all night!

To bottom 1st.

[Aaron 4,169]

Promising start to bottom 1 but then it went to mush. Great at bat by Houston and Ashley led to a single and flyout with patience. Then less patience and Houston picked off. Still forced 20 pitches Povich which is good. 0-0 after 1.

[Aaron 4,169]

Maryland just blew their game which does not help us and goes to extras. May be a while till game on BTN. Anyone with BTN on TV can watch at foxsports.com.

[Aaron 4,169]

Also bases loaded one out in second for Nebraska. Barr was to slow on a one out grounder.

[Aaron 4,169]

And just like that were down 3-0. Thats a huge hole to climb out of. Barr may of cost us one, but even if he gets an out at first which was best he could do, they still get two.

Big Ten slipping away. As I said though I did not like this matchup and very much saw a scenario where we lost tonight and win last three. All three are must wins now this weekend and I figured we could very well be in that position. 

[Aaron 4,169]

And its 4-0. Sommer just can't pitch anymore. It's that simple. Rest of staff very much can and we are going against Nebraska's best guy now but no other great pitchers rest of weekend.

[Aaron 4,169]

I have been a huge proponent of removing Sommer from Friday as you are putting yourself in a hole every weekend with him pitching. Need to flip Bierman and Sommer. You can't keep having Sommer putting you in a deficit every series. 

I know staff hates throwing people on short rest, but it is do or die time and you must give yourself best chance.

[Aaron 4,169]

Richardson HR to cut lead to 4-1.

[Aaron 4,169]

Also Maryland making sure to lose their game in anyway possible.

[HoosierAloha 29,937]

That was an absolutely atrocious call in the Maryland - Michigan game. The Big 1.0 is gonna Big 1.0.


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[Aaron 4,169]

Just like that tying run on with one out for Fougerousse. Did not have winning a shootout against Povich as possible but its our only hope and if we can, in terrific shape. Just not sure how likely it is.

[Aaron 4,169]

1 minute ago, HoosierAloha said:

That was an absolutely atrocious call in the Maryland - Michigan game. The Big 1.0 is gonna Big 1.0.


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Maryland also dropped a popup in foul territory in 9th that would of won it a long time ago. Once you do that, you do that you get what you have coming to you. Terps have blown this game multiple times earlier.

[Aaron 4,169]

Two out single for Espalin cuts lead to 4-2.

Again so IU to hit Povich, but look befuddled against all those horrible Illinois pitchers.