Ark Vs Auburn Baseball: Who Will Win?
Contents
It’s a close game but we think Ark will eke out a victory against Auburn. Who do you think will come out on top?
Introduction
It’s that time of year again! The time when two of the biggest rivals in college baseball the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Auburn Tigers go head to head. This year, the two teams will be facing off in a three-game series that will take place from March 22-24.
who will come out on top? Let’s take a look at each team’s stats to see who has the upper hand going into this exciting series.
Arkansas’ Baseball Background
Arkansas has a long and proud baseball tradition. The Razorbacks have played in the College World Series 21 times, winning it all in 1979 and 1998. Arkansas has also produced 27 Major League Baseball players, including Hall of Famer Frank Thomas and current stars like Dallas Keuchel and Andrew Benintendi.
Auburn, on the other hand, has only been to the College World Series three times, with their last appearance coming in 1997. The Tigers have also only produced six Major League Baseball players, none of whom are currently active.
So, who will win this matchup? It’s hard to say for sure, but Arkansas’ rich baseball history gives them a slight edge in our opinion.
Auburn’s Baseball Background
Auburn’s baseball tradition dates back to 1892 and they have one of the most storied programs in college baseball history. They have made 27 appearances in the College World Series which is more than any other team in the SEC. In addition, they have won 14 SEC championships and have appeared in the NCAA tournament 45 times.
Arkansas has also been a powerhouse in college baseball making 37 appearances in the College World Series They have won 40 conference championships and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament 54 times.
So who will win this matchup? It’s tough to say, but both teams have a lot of history and tradition on their side.
The Two Teams’ Pitching
In college baseball pitching is king. It’s what wins championships. In the 2015 season, both Auburn and Arkansas had strong pitching staffs. The two teams’ aces will be going head to head in this crucial matchup.
Arkansas’s pitchers had a 3.21 ERA in 2015, good for second in the SEC. They also struck out 8 batters per game, which was also second in the SEC. Meanwhile, Auburn’s pitchers had a 3.48 ERA, good for fourth in the SEC. They struck out 7.6 batters per game, good for fifth in the SEC.
So, who has the edge on the mound? It’s hard to say. Both teams have strong pitching staffs that can shut down any offense. However, if we look at the numbers, Arkansas has a slight advantage in strikeouts and ERA. This could be the difference maker in this game.
The Two Teams’ Hitting
Arkansas is ranked 4th in the SEC in batting, while Auburn is 12th. The Razorbacks have a team batting average of .276, with 73 home runs and 41 stolen bases The Tigers are batting .250 as a team, with 47 home runs and 61 stolen bases. Arkansas has scored 271 runs this season, while Auburn has scored 210.
Looking at the individual numbers, Arkansas has three players batting over .300, led by Casey Martin’s .347 average. Heston Kjerstad is hitting .339 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI, while Dominic Fletcher is hitting .305 with 10 Home Runs and 39 RBI. Auburn does not have any players batting over .300, but leadoff hitter Will Holland is hitting .298 with eight home runs and 26 RBI. Luke Jarvis is hitting .284 with eight home runs and 30 RBI.
Arkansas also has an advantage in power numbers. In addition to the three players mentioned above, the Razorbacks have six others with at least five home runs Auburn has just four players with five or more homers.
The Two Teams’ Defense
The Auburn Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks are two of the best teams in the SEC. They are both known for their strong pitching and defense. So, which team has the better defense?
The Auburn Tigers have a team ERA of 2.49, while the Arkansas Razorbacks have a team ERA of 2.64. Both teams have very good starting pitchers, but the Tigers’ bullpen is slightly better. The Razorbacks’ offense is also very good, but the Tigers have a bit more power.
Overall, both teams are very evenly matched. It is going to be a close game but we give the edge to the Auburn Tigers
The Two Teams’ Bench
As the temperatures cool down and the leaves start to change color, that can only mean one thing: baseball season is upon us yet again. Amongst the many debates that rage on throughout baseball season one particular topic seems to get fans especially riled up – who will win when Arkansas plays Auburn?
Both teams have their fair share of diehard fans, but when it comes to numbers, Arkansas definitely has the advantage. In terms of all-time wins, Arkansas has amassed a total of 2,371 while Auburn lags behind with 1,786. The Razorbacks also have a winning percentage of .567 compared to Auburn’s .521.
However, this does not mean that Auburn should be counted out just yet. The Tigers have had a recent surge in popularity and their recent string of successes has helped them narrow the gap between themselves and the Razorbacks. In the last ten years, Auburn has won two SEC championships and made it to the College World Series four times – not too shabby for a team that was once considered an underdog.
So, who will come out on top when these two teams face off? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – it’s going to be an exciting game either way.
The Managers
In order to compare the two teams, it is important to look at the men who lead them. For Ark, that is Manager John Gibbons. He has been with the team since 2004 and has led them to a 879-685 record. That is a .563 winning percentage, which is very good. For Auburn, their manager is Butch Thompson. He has only been with the team for two years but has already led them to a 131-74 record. That is a .639 winning percentage, which is even better than Gibbons’ winning percentage. When looking at the two managers, it is clear that Butch Thompson is the better of the two.
The Weather
The weather is a huge factor in any baseball game It could be the wind, the humidity, or the temperature. If the air is too humid, the ball won’t travel as far. If it’s too cold, the players could get injured. If there’s a strong wind, that could easily affect the outcome of the game.
The Fans
The fans of both teams are anxiously waiting for the outcome of this game. Each team has their own set of fans that are cheering them on to victory. The fans play an important role in the game and can often be the difference between a win and a loss.