FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas baseball returns to Baum-Walker Stadium this weekend for what was supposed to be one of the marquee matchups of the season.
The No. 2 Razorbacks (35-6, 14-4 SEC) will host Florida in a three-game series beginning Friday night. Both teams were ranked inside the top five during the preseason and considered national title contenders.
The Hogs have lived up to the billing, but the Gators (21-19, 8-10) have struggled mightily in midweek games and are now floundering in the SEC. After opening the league slate with series victories over Texas A&M and LSU, Florida has dropped three straight weekend series, including a sweep at the hands of Missouri. The Gators lost two of three games against Vanderbilt most recently.
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Arkansas is coming off a road series victory over South Carolina and a midweek win against UAPB. The Hogs have won 25 consecutive home games and are now three home victories away from breaking the school record set across two seasons from 1984-85.
Below is one thing to watch for Arkansas, a more detailed look at Florida and a series prediction.
Can Will McEntire get back on track?
McEntire came flying out of the gates this season, but he’s struggled in recent weeks against the SEC. The Arkansas reliever has given up eight earned runs in his last six innings of work, ballooning his ERA from 1.75 to 3.21.
He’s only given up two walks and zero home runs during this stretch, and teams are doing most of their damage by stringing multiple singles together. Still, McEntire has gone from automatic to questionably reliable in a matter of weeks and he didn’t make his first appearance against South Carolina until the series finale.
Arkansas has no shortage of capable bullpen arms, but things get much easier for the pitching staff when McEntire is rolling. A home series against struggling opposition gives him a chance to bounce back.
Florida players to watch
batters: Jac Caglianone is one of the best players in the country, giving Florida a two-way star who figures to be a top-five pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. At the plate, Caglianone is slashing .410/.503/.888 with 25 home runs and 49 RBIs. He’s hit 11 home runs in his last 11 games, and Friday night’s matchup with Arkansas lefty Hagen Smith will be televised.
But aside from Caglianone, it’s been a disappointing season for a Florida offense that was supposed to be one of the best in the nation but ranks 11th in the SEC in runs scored. Ty Evans (.342/.436/.606), Tyler Shelnut (.276/.386/.614) and Colby Shelton (.270/.377/.604) are ones to watch in support of Caglianone.
Pitchers: Caglianone (5-0, 3.86 ERA) will be the starter in Game 3 and has been Florida’s best pitcher, but the other weekend starters have been revolving doors throughout the season. Brandon Neely (1-2, 6.81) has been the Friday night starter in recent weeks.
Fisher Jameson (2-0, 4.35) and Ryan Slater (3-1, 5.35) have been the most reliable arms out of the bullpen.
Prediction: Arkansas wins series 2-1
The home winning streak will come to an end this weekend, but Arkansas’ considerable pitching advantage along with being back home at Baum-Walker should be enough for another SEC series victory. With Caglianone pitching the finale, it might be important for the Hogs to jump out and take the first two games of the weekend.
