Texas A&M looks to begin conference play on a high note against #17 Alabama
When Texas A&M began the season ranked #1, few could have predicted the Aggies coming into the first conference series at 10-6 on the season. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. This baseball season has not gone well thus far for the Aggies.
The SEC is an absolute gauntlet this year to the surprise of no one. While growing pains should have perhaps been more of an expectation for a first-year head coach, this roster remains one of the most talented in the country.
Still, I have to hammer home that a lot of baseball remains on the schedule.
Texas A&M’s first conference opponent?
The #17 Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Tide make the trek to Aggieland with a 17-1 record on the season thus far, including wins over ranked opponents in NC State and Troy.
Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images
In Alabama, Texas A&M faces the biggest threat they’ve seen yet from an opposing lineup. The Tide are hitting .343 as a team and already have 38 home runs on the season. Leading the Tide in home runs is 2024 Freshman All-American Justin Lebron with 11 on the year.
The expected starting trio of Prager, Lamkin, and Patton likely represent the best pitching staff the Tide have seen to this point but with Texas A&M struggling once teams get to the bullpen, the Aggies will need strong performances from all three starters this weekend.
For Texas A&M, the streaky Aggie lineup draws a lefty in Zane Adams on Friday night before facing two right-handed pitchers in Riley Quick and Bobby Alcock on Saturday and Sunday.
Kaeden Kent has been the leader at the plate for the Aggies this season and will need to spark the Texas A&M offense against this Alabama pitching staff. While the starters for the Tide haven’t thrown as many innings, they do a great job of making batters whiff.
The challenge for the Aggies this weekend comes in putting non-conference play behind them. The starting pitching is likely to keep them in games when the bats are quiet – it’s time for the bats to return the favor.
Probable Starters
- Friday: Ryan Prager LHP (2-0, 0.39 ERA, 23.1 IP, 27 K, 8 BB) vs. Zane Adams LHP (3-0, 3.44 ERA, 18.1 IP, 22 K, 8 BB)
- Saturday: Justin Lamkin LHP (1-1, 2.28 ERA, 23.2 IP, 33 K, 5 BB) vs. Riley Quick RHP (4-0, 1.76 ERA, 15.1 IP, 14 K, 4 BB)
- Sunday: Myles Patton (2-1, 2.28 ERA, 23.2 IP, 27 K, 3 BB) vs. Bobby Alcock RHP (2-0, 5.54 ERA, 13.0 IP, 17 K, 3 BB)
How to Watch
- 6 p.m. Friday on SECN+
- 2 p.m. Saturday on SECN+
- 4 p.m. Sunday on SECN+