Three Takeaways From LSU Baseball vs. Mississippi State

Jay Johnson and Co. understand the task at hand. They know the expectations of this LSU baseball program, and after a second consecutive weekend where this group struggled, he knows there will be harsh critics.

Offensively, this squad will go down as one of the best ever, but it won’t cut it as postseason nears. It’s the bullpen that continues to plague this program as they prepare for their final SEC series against Georgia.

Against Mississippi State over the weekend, it was much of the same: another bullpen collapse that haunted the Tigers down the stretch.

Three takeaways from the weekend series against the Bulldogs:

Bullpen Meltdown

Let’s get it out of the way. The struggles this unit has dealt with this season have been inexcusable given the talent in this room, but nonetheless, it’s the main topic of conversation for good reason.

After losing Garrett Edwards and Chase Shores to Tommy John surgery, along with Grant Taylor before the season even started, there were immediate concerns, and it’s certainly catching up to them now.

The Tigers got a complete game (seven inning run-rule victory) on Friday after the brilliance of Paul Skenes on the mound, but Games 2 and 3 were a completely different story.

We saw Ty Floyd put together a successful showing during his start on Saturday, but once he was pulled, it was all Bulldogs.

The Tigers collapsed like a house of cards once Floyd came off the mound on Saturday and the meltdown continued into Sunday’s showing. LSU went with nine pitchers in Game 3, and after ballooning their lead to 13-4, all signs pointed to a run-rule victory to cap off the series with a win, but it went south rather quickly.

Ultimately the Tigers couldn’t get the job done after going from pitcher to pitcher out of the bullpen, blowing the lead and falling in extras, but where do they go from here? Time will tell, but as the postseason inches closer, it’s now or never for this pitching staff.

Offensive Juggernaut

From Tre Morgan to Tommy White to Gavin Dugas, the Tigers were dominant at the plate against the Bulldogs. During Friday’s run-rule victory, it was another stellar showing, and this group kept the momentum going all weekend.

But on Sunday it was the Tre Morgan Show. The two-way star got it done in the field after making three highlight reel catches and blasting two homers at the plate. Morgan has become a key piece to the three headed snake of this lineup alongside White and Dylan Crews.

Putting up runs will be no issue for this program moving forward. This offense will go down as one of the best ever and it starts with Morgan, Crews and White. With contributions down the entire lineup, this weekend was another positive showing at the plate from the Tigers.

Extra Boosts

You know what you’re going to get from White, Morgan and Crews on a nightly basis, but the contributions from co-stars is what gives this team an extra push. This weekend we saw Hayden Travinski, who has been a rising star for the Tigers, and others give LSU a boost at the plate.

Travinski, along with Brayden Jobert and your usual Gavin Dugas magic, propelled this squad to even more production offensively. Moving forward, it’ll be key the entire lineup makes it happen, especially with the bullpen struggling as much as it has.

This group has proven they can put runs on the board in a hurry. With the SEC Tournament inching closer, remaining in a groove and getting consistency down the lineup will be what gives this program a boost in the right direction.