Brian Foley the Editor of the College Baseball Blog will be joining us from 9-10 PM tonight to chat about the College World Series. He can be found here:
http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/
The Canes play Georgia at 7 PM on Saturday night their first game of the Series. Here is the preview:
http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/tag/miami-fl/
Join us here at Canespace to blog the game LIVE.
GO CANES, BEAT THE DAWGS!!!
what is the deal with canesport.com cannot seem to get on that site today?
Posted by: dlu | June 13, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Brian Foley will be along shortly at 9:15.
Post your college baseball questions NOW!
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:03 PM
dlu...their server may be down?
GO CANES, BEAT THE DWAGS!
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:04 PM
I am in the house.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:04 PM
BRIAN...tell us about the Georgia Bulldogs? What can we expect from them offensively, defensively and pitching wise?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Here is my preview from my site on the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Georgia Bulldogs will be heading to their sixth College World Series appearance and head coach Dave Perno's third with the Bulldogs. They have an overall record of 41-23-1 after winning the SEC Regular Season title with a 20-9-1 record. The Bulldogs lost the first game of the Athens Regional to Lipscomb by a score of 10-7 before running off four victories with a 9-8 victory over Louisville, 14-3 victory over Lipscomb, and winning two straight games over Georgia Tech by scores of 8-0 and 18-6. Last weekend, Georgia hosted NC State for the best of three Super Regional. The Bulldogs won the first game by a score of 11-4 before dropping Game 2 10-6 and winning the winner take all game to get back to Omaha with a 17-8 shellacking of the Wolfpack.
The Georgia Bulldogs offense is led by Consensus All-American shortstop Gordon Beckham who was the 8th overall selection by the Chicago White Sox. He is leading the Bulldogs with a .401 average with 26 homers and 72 RBI. He has also been successful on the base paths with 17 stolen bases in 18 attempts. Rich Poythress is second on the squad with a .370 average and 15 homers on the year.
The Bulldogs starting pitching rotation is led by Stephen Dodson who is 5-4 with a 4.25 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts). He pitched out of the bullpen in last Saturday's 10-6 loss where he pitched 3.1 scoreless innings. Trevor Holder who pitched Game 1 of the Super Regionals where he picked up the victory enters with a 8-4 record with a 4.34 ERA. The final spot of the rotation is held by Nathan Moreau who is 4-3 with a 5.27 ERA. The backend of the Georgia pen is led by Joshua Fields who was the 20th pick in the MLB Draft last week by the Seattle Mariners. He has a 2-2 record with a 2.76 ERA including 16 saves with a strikeout per innings pitched of 1.81.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:08 PM
BRIAN...What are Miami's chances of winning the CWS? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being none and 10 being excellent, how would you rate the Canes chances?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:08 PM
BRIAN...who do you see as the Canes MAIN competition for the Championship title? Top 3 teams in the CWS?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:11 PM
I would put Miami as the favorite in their pool with North Carolina as the favorite in the other pool.
I don't think the Seminoles and Bulldogs have the pitching at the same level as Miami. FSU has Posey and a bunch of nobodies on offense. UGA is led by Beckham but there are question marks about his defense. Stanford on the other hand has played good baseball lately but don't have as much talent from 1-9.
I would give Miami a 7.5 chance of getting out of their pool.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Brian, welcome to CaneSpace. What are your predictions for the CWS? Do you think Miami has what it takes to beat Georgia, and take the thropy home?
Posted by: norm | June 13, 2008 at 09:12 PM
See above post Norm
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:12 PM
The other pool is between LSU and UNC in my opinion. I just don't think Rice has the pitching and Fresno is not on the same level. I still can't believe Fresno made the CWS with their top starting pitcher out for the season and the number 2 having a horrible start.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:15 PM
To what team in the past CWS would you compare Miami to?
Posted by: norm | June 13, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Does Gordon Beckham has any weakness we can exploit?
Posted by: norm | June 13, 2008 at 09:20 PM
What is your opinion on UM's Yonder Alonso? As U know he was drafted near the top of the first round in this year's MLB draft.
2B Weeks? 3B Sobo? CF Tekotte?
Do U follow MLB? If so, who are the top performing Canes in the BIGS right now?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:21 PM
Norm,
The weakness in Beckham is that his defense is suspect and his arm is considered a little weak. I don't know how to exploit it though.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:25 PM
A follow up to Norm's ???. Miami has four national titles and is in the middle of their "Drive For Five"?
Which colleges rank as the greatest of all time in terms of most CWS wins?
Also which college teams indiviually (year/team, top 10) are considered the greatest of all time and do any of the great Canes teams of the past ('82, '85, '99, '01) rank up there?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:28 PM
My biggest question about Alonso at the next level is his commitment to fitness and defense. We all know he can hit at the next level but can he play in the field?
Weeks strikes me as your prototypical leadoff man with tons of gap power.
I love Tekotte's game and think he should have been a much higher pick.
I do follow the MLB but I am a diehard Red Sox fan and don't usually pay attention to where guys are from.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Brian... welcome to the Space... What would you like to talk about?... Just open it up and we'll spin off your comments
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | June 13, 2008 at 09:28 PM
I still think the LSU teams from the Guerrila ball days are the best teams in recent history. I couldn't tell you how the Hurricanes of the 80's compare since I didn't see them.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Just fire away questions guys....
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Brian, glad to see you here, welcome.
What team or teams has Georgia faced with the combination of offense and pitching the Canes possess?
How did they fair against elite pitching?
Is hitting 400 in the SEC as difficult as hitting 400 in the ACC?
thanks
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 09:32 PM
Brian... what is your prediction of the series and who has the best shot, given the series set-up... ???
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | June 13, 2008 at 09:37 PM
I think hitting .400 in the SEC is much more difficult as the quality of teams in the conference are much better. The ACC had five weak teams with Maryland, BC, Duke (very overrated), Wake Forest had no pitching, and Virginia Tech. There are no easy weekends in the SEC.
UGA lost two out of three to Arizona, Oregon State and split with FSU in a two game set.
They did take two games from LSU with a tie in the other game.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Scratch the question... Didn't read the previous blogs before I through my question...
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | June 13, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Which team has the best starting rotation (top three pitchers) at the CWS?
Best bull pen and/or closer?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:46 PM
I might be crazy but believe, if this is their best pitcher... we should be able to roll this team in 2 straight games... "The Bulldogs starting pitching rotation is led by Stephen Dodson who is 5-4 with a 4.25 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts)".
Cat
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | June 13, 2008 at 09:50 PM
The Canes beat Arizona in the Super Regional and AU had a great defensive first baseman who made several great plays in the field.
WHO ARE THE TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS AT THE CWS?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:50 PM
The best rotation is between Miami/Rice/UNC. I think UNC's has the most experience so I would give them the edge.
Best closer in the tournament is Josh Fields of Georgia.
I think Miami (FL)has the best bullpen from the front to the back of the pen.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Guys... I'm out of it,... Sorry. I have a cold coming and sitting here coughing and not thinking straight!!! Thanks Brian for coming on board... and yes, I know we are not playing back to back elim...
Gotta go, see ya!
Posted by: Cat5 Cane | June 13, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Cat5...U are wild and CRAZY! Feel better.
GO CANES, BEAT THE DAWGS!!!
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 09:57 PM
WHO ARE THE TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS AT THE CWS?
Posted by: 86Cane | June 13, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I hate discussing defenses...Just a pet peeve of mine...I think Posey is the best catcher left and Jemile is the best second baseman with Jackson as the best defensive shortstop.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 10:06 PM
I need to wrap this up as I have some stuff to do around here in the offense.
FSU knocks off Stanford as they will face Miami in a winner's bracket game.
UNC against LSU is the game of the opening round but I think UNC will be able to pull it out. Rice should beat Fresno to set up a UNC-Rice game.
I will be back on Monday for another chat.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Brian...does the Canes football team go 8-4 or 10-2 in 2008?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 10:10 PM
As long as my Eagles continue to beat up the ACC I am happy.
Posted by: The College Baseball Blog | June 13, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Brian...seriously, thanks for your time here at Canespace and we look forward to having a larger audience for you here on Monday night at 9PM!
GO CANES, BEAT THE DAWGS!!!
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 10:12 PM
thanks for your views.
Posted by: dlu | June 13, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Sorry 86 got in late!
Go Canes!!
Posted by: canechic | June 13, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Sorry 86 got in late!
once a slacker...
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Putting up Bricks Blog
peace
Miami
Maybe Larry Coker wasn't the problem. With Florida Atlantic having a breakout 2007 and returning nearly everyone, it's not too far-fetched to say just maybe, the 'Canes might not be the best college football team in the Miami-Dade County. The program's quarterback controversy solved itself when Kirby Freeman transferred to Baylor. Of course, that means grooming a quarterback whom has never taken a snap for the program. The running back tandem of Javarris James and Graig Cooper should ease the new quarterback's maturation process considerably.
The defense was astoundingly bad last season, given up about four touchdowns and 350 yards a game. The rush defense was decent enough, yielding 130 yards per. Two of the better pieces from the front line, end Eric Moncur and tackle Antonio Dixon return. The Hurricanes' youth, and a difficult early schedule that includes Florida and Texas A&M ensures a trying September. Depending how Miami emerges out of those first few weeks will set the tone for ACC play. The conference opener is Sept. 27 against North Carolina, a game I'm particularly interested in as Butch Davis returns to Coral Gables.
Games to Watch: Sept. 6 @ Florida; Sept. 20 @ Texas A Sept. 27 vs. North Carolina; Oct. 4 vs. Florida State
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Canechic...as Solar said, once a slacker...
Solar...good to see you back in action. What you got cookin'?
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 11:14 PM
wad up soup,
trying to catch up some jobs I left hangin while sick.
Lot of things to catch up on the blob.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Just blobbin and trying to bring in new talent, content and perspectives. Got some GREAT LT#36 material for later next week.
Gonna be some excellent stuff...
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 11:22 PM
canes baseball respect during football recruiting (aqua, the players parents)
=
canes baseball respect during basketball McMoney crush (aqua, parents,monty, MattNY)
==
canes baseball respect after 12th win
(aqua,etc,rest of ACC baseball teams)
===
canes baseball repect after regionals
(aqua,etc,UM male student body)
=================
canes baseball respect after supers
(aqua,etc,every person in south florida)
========================================
Go CANES
peace
(pb is right, everyone is a fan of winning)
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 11:31 PM
What up Solar.
Posted by: pb(CSHOF09) | June 13, 2008 at 11:38 PM
pb is right...everyone is a fan of pb!
Posted by: SOUP | June 13, 2008 at 11:41 PM
hey peebster,
had a pretty tough meltdown due to excessive sun and mortgage, I'm back up to speed.
Is it me, or do guys that use initials for their nick wear a target on their backs 24/7?
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Sometimes I feel like Rodney Dangerfield.
one of my sons friends read Canespace while I was off the blob sick
" I looked but I never saw soultrain blogging"
sheesh, I tellya I don't get no respect...
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 11:48 PM
aight, I'm out to drink plenty of fluids and
root on dem Canes!
my mom-in-law is taking wife and me to a country buffet Sat nite. I'm taping the game,and will be back to celebrate the win with you guys
out
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 13, 2008 at 11:52 PM