The rivalry needs little introduction.
Florida State baseball and Miami have little love for each other, and when you factor in the stakes for the regular season finale for the two ball clubs at Dick Howser Stadium, the typical tension and flare of the rivalry goes up a notch.
The No. 11 Seminoles (36-15, 17-10 ACC) sit in third place in the conference standings, tied with No. 23 Boston College and just one spot ahead of the Hurricanes (35-15, 15-12 ACC), and the weekend series, beginning on Thursday, May 14, will determine where the two ball clubs end up in the conference tournament.
“The magnitude of everything you do down the stretch is amplified, then when you have a rivalry series, the last two of the year, it builds a crescendo. It seems like that’s where we are with this, and the guys are excited,” FSU head coach Link Jarrett said on Wednesday, May 13.
“Everybody’s a little worn down and beat up this time of year, not just us. You’re coming off one of the most difficult road environments you’ll play in, in a must-win situation. Now you’re back at home, the guys feel good, we have our fans, they’re excited for this. But it does continue to increase the ramifications of how you perform.”
The top four in the ACC standings earn double-byes in the conference tournament, and that extra day of rest for a pitching staff can be the difference for a program that makes the championship game or flams out early. It’s important for FSU to try to maximize rest as star reliever John Abraham recovers from an injury suffered against Clemson.
Abraham is one of the best relievers in the country, and he holds a 1.04 ERA and has recorded six saves in 17 appearances with 55 strikeouts and 19 walks issued, both career bests, and only seven runs, five earned, on 27 hits. He’s formed a dynamic one-two punch for the Seminoles behind ace Wes Mendes, often closing out games after the lefty, but his status for the series against Miami is up in the air.
“Johnny A, don’t know. Arm is fine, it’s a side thing. I can’t explain what’s going on with some of the midbody injuries we’ve had. Hopefully it’s not something that keeps him out long-term, but I don’t know this weekend.”
Alongside Abraham, outfielder Chase Williams’ return is still in flux. Williams hasn’t played since he left the Seminoles game agaisnt USF in late April with an injury, but Jarrett said they will monitor him throughout practice and warmups ahead of the Miami series.
In Williams’ absence, Brayden Dowd, Brody DeLamielleure, and John Stuetzer have carried the load both in the outfield and at the plate. The trio has 36 hits and 24 RBI since Williams got hurt, but the speed threat and energy boost that Williams brings will be a major addition for the Seminoles when he returns.
Scouting Miami: What do the Hurricanes bring to Tallahassee
The Seminoles face a Miami team fresh off a series win over Louisville, and the Hurricanes have one of the top offenses in the ACC. While star third baseman Daniel Cuvet remains out with a back injury, Miami is sparked by outfielder Dereck Williams (.378 average, 14 home runs, 65 RBI) and catcher Alex Sosa (.339 average, 15 home runs, 64 RBI).
Those two are key cogs to a lineup that produced 32 runs in its last series. On the mound, Miami’s starting pitching is strong with Rob Evans (9-3, 3.41 ERA), Lazaro Collera (3-2, 4.68 ERA), and AJ Ciscar (4-3, 4.35 ERA). However, the Hurricanes’ bullpen has been inconsistent, with all but one reliever, Lyndon Glidewell (2.87 ERA), holding an ERA above four.
The Hurricanes haven’t beaten FSU in Tallahassee since 2016, and are winless in the series against ranked opponents this year, but Jarrett said FSU isn’t taking the challenge lightly.
“They’re really good, their starting pitching is phenomenal, the bullpen is equipped. It’s a talented, talented team. You’ve got to play your A game,” Jarrett said. “From here on out, there is no other way to attack it. If you don’t play your best baseball, you’re going to be on the short end of things… You’d better deliver the goods if you think you are going to have the chance.”
FSU baseball vs. Miami potential starting pitching matchups
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Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU baseball hosts rival Miami for final regular season series
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
