(06-03-2021, 08:25 PM)Papa John Wrote: I saw UCI sweep a doubleheader from UCSB last month. The Anteaters are the real deal. Will be interesting to see the pitching rotation because I expect that Esquer will save Beck for UCI.
As I mentioned in the Baseball All Conference thread, I would personally advocate holding back Beck until game 2 but I don't think Esquer will do so.
That just doesn't seem to be Esquer's, or Stanford's, way.
In 2018 Esquer sent Friday starter Tristan Beck out in game #1, a win over Wright State.
In 2019 Esquer sent Friday starter Brendan Beck out in game #1, a win over Sacramento State.
Possibly not relevant, but Marquess always went with his ace in game #1 as well, though I have a vague memory that maybe once he held the top pitcher until game #2.
This year is a little different in that I think there is a larger gap between our #1 starter and the next guy than usual, but nonetheless I expect to see Beck today. One benefit is that if the series goes to 5 games, Beck could potentially come back to pitch a few innings as he did in game 5 in 2019. (Beck pitched 3.1 perfect innings in that game 5 vs Fresno)
Here is a preview of the Stanford regional.
It's from Baseball America, reprinted at the NCAA site.