Kentucky's pitching concerns are real

Kentucky cruised through its first five SEC series this season, posting a gaudy 15-1 conference record. However, its run into some problems in its last two series against Tennessee and South Carolina.

Why has this happened?

Well to start, the competition is simply getting better. Kentucky had a perfect schedule to open play, as it faced three of the four SEC schools who are almost certain to miss the NCAA Tournament. The other two schools, Georgia and Alabama, should make the Tournament but are likely not Regional hosts.

This brings up Tennessee (likely the nation’s best offense) and South Carolina (on the cusp of hosting a Regional), a step up in the competition for the Cats. The step up in competition has heavily affected the pitching staff, who have been less than stellar over the last two weekends.

Left-hander Dominic Niman entered his Saturday start against Tennessee riding a hot-streak. In his two prior starts against Alabama and Auburn, the left-hander gave up just seven hits and one earned run in 14 1/3 combined innings pitched.

Against Tennessee and Carolina however, Niman has failed to reach the second inning.

The Volunteers chased Niman out of the game without even recording an out, and he lasted just one inning against South Carolina after giving the ‘Cocks a 6-1 first-inning lead (which Kentucky would come back from).

After back-to-back homers to lead off the game, we've now hit three consecutive RBI doubles and it's 5-0!

Cats going to the bullpen. No outs in the first.

📺https://t.co/ITdEh7lZ6a (SECN+)#GBO // #OTH // #BeatUK pic.twitter.com/guuVK1QFG9

— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) April 20, 2024

Niman’s ERA against SEC competition sky-rocketed from 2.73 to 5.29 after his last two starts in which he’s allowed the same amount of earned runs (10) in one inning of action as he did in the entirety of his first five conference starts (33 innings).

Niman isn’t the only one struggling however.

Right-hander Mason Moore has hit a snag as well, as his ERA against SEC competition jumped from 4.66 to 6.94 following his last two starts. He also has given up more earned runs (14) in his starts against the Vols and the ‘Cocks than he did in his first five conference starts.

Even closer Johnny Hummel experienced his worst outing of the season in Kentucky’s Friday night blown-lead against Carolina. Hummel gave up three solo home runs, matching the earned run total he had given up all season long.

WE ARE TIED

🖥️ SECN+#Gamecocks | #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/Ee6LQgI0Xw

— Gamecock Baseball (@GamecockBasebll) April 27, 2024

However, right-hander Trey Pooser has seemingly emerged as one of Kentucky’s most reliable arms.

Pooser, who swapped places with righty Travis Smith in the starting rotation, has thrived on Friday nights. In 13 combined innings pitched against Carolina and Tennessee, Pooser allowed just a total of nine hits and four earned runs. He even held the ‘Cocks to one earned run over seven innings last Friday night.

Kentucky’s combined team ERA over is last two SEC series is 9.00, as its given up 51 earned runs in 51 innings. Not great.

As we head down the home stretch with Arkansas, Florida, and Vanderbilt on the horizon, Kentucky’s pitching is going to have to settle in if they want to reach the College World Series for the first time ever this season. The offense is certainly there, but they’re going to need some help.

The road gets even harder this weekend, as the No. 2 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks come to Lexington for a marquee top-10 series.

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