Hey, everyone.

We want to ensure we are trying to interact more with the free boards.

Today, I wanted to do a baseball "ask me anything." Ask anything you want, and I'll start answering the questions around lunch.

BellCountyBear said:

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Based on the sample of games so far, what are the chances this team goes to the CWS for the first time since 2005?

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I'd say less than 5%, but this year's main goal was to get back to the tournament for the first time since 2019. I'd say there's a 70% chance this team will make the tourney (if everyone stays healthy). Once you're in, who knows what could happen?

Bearsalwayswin said:

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How good do you really think we are this year? Close loss to the Beaves and the loss to auburn….ohio state isn't very good this year.

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I'm sticking with my preseason prediction of 34-20 (16-14 in conference play) with a loss in a regional.

Pitching was expected to improve drastically, and they've looked much better. Although, I'm not sure there's enough to be a true contender toward the top of the conference.

On paper, the veteran lineup was the team's strength going into the year, and I think they've lived up to that billing so far.

The jury is still out on Ohio State. They've played a brutal non-con with a series against Arizona State, plus games against Coastal, NC State, Auburn, Bama and Oregon State, with most of those being close losses. The Buckeyes threw their best two guys against Baylor + were leading Oregon State going into the 8th. I'd still contend it was a solid win for Baylor.

ImABearToo said:

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Enough good pitching to carry us? Bull pen strength?

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Assuming they stay healthy, LHP Ethan Calder (Jr.) and LHP Bryson Bales (Hendrix College, 6Sr.) will be in the starting rotation for the entire season. Those are two veteran guys who have been here before. Then you mix in LHP Carson Bailey (Fr.), who throws in the mid-90s and has a ton of upside. This is easily the best weekend rotation Baylor has had since I started covering the team in 2022.

Relievers-wise, RHP Gabe Craig (RSr.) is the closer for now; he has elite stuff but will need to throw strikes consistently. RHP Lucas Davenport (Blinn, RSo.) is usually the first guy out of the bullpen on Saturdays; he was the ace on Blinn's natty team last spring. RHP Caleb Bunch (NW State, Sr.) was an all-conf pitcher at NW State and will be in the mix. RHP Will Glatch (Sr.) has looked fantastic so far. I think the rest will fluctuate depending on who's hot and who's not, but I've really liked what I've seen from RHP Grayson Murry (Tyler JC, Jr.), LHP Caleb Jameson (Paris JC, RSo.) and LHP Stefan Stahl (MCC, Jr.) so far.

TLDR: I think the pitching is much-improved from the last couple of years, but I don't think there's enough to truly be a top contender in the conference.