No.11 Florida State (36-15, 17-10) looks to cap off its regular season with a series victory over rival Miami (35-15, 15-12) in a three-game set from Dick Howser Stadium starting on Thursday. The Seminoles won their series against the Hurricanes last year, taking a game-three rubber match, and swept UM when they were last in Tallahassee.
Anytime these two sides take the field, the tensions are raised, but the stakes are especially high given the state of both teams jockeying for position ahead of Selection Monday in less than two weeks. For Link Jarrett’s team, they appear to be on the outside looking in at a top-8 seed, but they are not out of it by any stretch. D1 Baseball listed the Noles as an #11 seed in their latest bracket projections, and Baseball America had FSU as a #9 seed. If Florida State takes care of business this weekend and gets help, they could be on the right side of the numbers with a strong performance in the ACC tournament. As for the Hurricanes, a series win would have J.D. Arteaga’s team as a quality #2 seed with a (slim) chance to host if they go deep in Charlotte. The Canes’ resume is weird: 35 wins, including 15 in-conference, yet they do not have a signature series victory and played a weak ACC schedule. That could change this weekend as Florida State is its toughest ACC opponent.
Injuries will be a story for both teams this weekend. For the Seminoles, John Abraham was listed as out on the ACC’s student-availability report that came out Wednesday, a massive blow to the Florida State bullpen that has been stable this season. The Noles do have some reprieve with Cooper Whited becoming an option without any more midweeks, but almost nothing can replace Abraham’s dominance this year. In positive news on the injury front, Chase Williams was listed as probable after missing out against Clemson. Given the Hurricanes’ weakness on defense, any chance to use Williams’ speed and put pressure on Miami will be critical. As for UM, Daniel Cuvet, its top hitter coming into the season, will miss out this weekend after being listed as out. Miami’s lineup has been better equipped to handle his absence than FSU’s has been losing Bailey, but it’s still a significant hole in its batting order.
Continuing to scout the Hurricanes, their strengths and weaknesses are clear: Miami has a deep lineup and a strong starting rotation, but the bullpen and defense are well below average. At the plate, UM ranks fifth in runs scored in the ACC, along with having the fewest strikeouts in conference play. In their last six ACC games, the ‘Canes have scored six or more runs in all of them, including 27 runs in three games last weekend against Louisville. Without Cuvet, the lineup hits for less slug, although Derek Williams and Alex Sosa have combined for 29 homers, but six UM players have an on-base percentage of .397 or higher. However, there are serious warts on the roster, including a defense with the worst fielding percentage in the ACC and a bullpen that gets thin quickly. It may not be a stretch to say that the team that gets to the other team’s bullpen first will be the series winner.
Hurricane hitters to know:
