Mississippi State Baseball vs Kentucky 2018 Series Preview

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OMAHA, NE – JUNE 24: Mississippi State Bulldogs players sit in the dugout before playing the UCLA Bruins during game one of the College World Series Finals on June 24, 2013 at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska. UCLA won 3-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

The Mississippi State Baseball Team Will Need Its Pitchers To Keep Kentucky’s Bats Quiet

With Mississippi State not having much power at the plate, the Bulldogs are going to manufacture runs in this series as they’ve done throughout the year. But, MSU will also rely on its pitchers to keep Kentucky off the board. The Bulldogs’ pitchers will need to give Mississippi State a chance in this series and watch out for the Wildcats’ home run hitters.

Konnor Pilkington is going to draw the start on Friday, which is fine. Pilkington, for most of the year, has been solid but hasn’t received much run support. His 3.72 ERA is alright, but not amazing. And the 2-5 win-loss record attached to him hasn’t been entirely his fault. Hopefully for MSU, he can shine when called upon and he’ll receive the run support needed to grab a win.

Ethan Small is starting on Saturday and his season so far has been a solid and impressive one for the Bulldogs. Small has a 2.99 ERA and a team leading 5-3 win-loss record.

The Bulldogs haven’t announced who will start on Sunday. When MSU does announce who starts, it’ll likely be a result of how Gary Henderson brings in guys from the bullpen on Friday and Saturday.

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