Jay Johnson updates process of deciding whether or not to play RHP Paul Skenes in Game 3

LSU’s Jay Johnson has a huge call to make tonight. With the Tigers playing for a national championship later this evening against Florida, all eyes are on Johnson’s decision to play his ace in RHP Paul Skenes.

Ahead of the final contest in the College World Series, Johnson spoke with Kris Budden on the SEC Network about what all LSU is considering in the potential choice to put Skenes on the mound in Game 3. He said they’ve done a lot of testing in order to determine whether his arm and body are in a place to perform at the level that they would need from him tonight.

“Testing throughout his body,” Johnson said. “His legs, his hips. The middle of his body to make sure it’s a place where it can function and so his arm can stay in a good place. And, obviously, testing for the arm to see where he is and how he has recovered.

Skenes has yet to pitch in the final series against the Gators. He last pitched in LSU’s victory over Wake Forest that earned them their berth in the championship series. In his eight innings of work during the 19th start of his season, he didn’t allow a run and gave up just two hits. In total, he finished with nine strikeouts to bring his season total up to 209.

Regardless of if Skenes makes an appearance tonight or not, it’ll be a lot for LSU to overcome what took place on Sunday in Game 2. Even so, Johnson says that, even though they gave up a MCWS record for runs in their last outing, all it did was even the score at one when everyone knows that they’ll need two to hoist the trophy in Omaha.

“The good thing about baseball in these two out of three series is it only counts for one,” said Johnson. “To win it, you’ve got to win two. So we just view it as a very equal series and we’re ready to go tonight.”

Skenes available for College World Series decider

LSU and Florida meet on Monday night with the winner earning a national championship. Over the past 24 hours, much has been made about who Jay Johnson will send out to start for the Tigers.

We got that answer already, with Thatcher Hurd being first on the mound. He has been nails down the stretch for LSU, rising to the occasion multiple different times. However, this is a completely new level as Hurd looks to put together his best performance at the biggest moment.

But everyone still wants to know about Paul Skenes. The potential Golden Spikes Award winner last pitched on Thursday, sending LSU to the College World Series championship game. Could he be available at some point coming out of the bullpen?

While Johnson has not revealed anything, Leah Vann of the Advocate in Baton Rouge revealed Skenes will be available against Florida. Any kind of other information, to this point, is unknown.

“I do not know for how long. Nor for how many pitches, nor when he will come in the game,” Vann said. “That remains to be seen.”