Head Coach Tim Tadlock announced today that the same starting rotation will remain in place for the Red Raiders’ Big 12 Opening series hosting the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park this weekend.
Friday: Brandon Birdsell (4.60 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 2-0, 15.2 IP, 13 SO/7 BB, .265 BAA)
Saturday: Patrick Monteverde (0.78 ERA, 0.52 WHIP, 3-0, 23 IP, 27 SO/ 2 BB, .128 BAA)
Sunday: Mason Montgomery (3.26 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 1-0, 19.1 IP, 21 SO/ 8 BB, .224 BAA)
The Cowboys come to Lubbock having been the last Big 12 team to play the Red Raiders at home dating back to the 2019 Super Regionals.
Tadlock also indicated Micah Dallas will be available out of the bullpen and he would be very comfortable with him in a starting role as well.
“Obviously we’re pitching him out of the bullpen this weekend. We could pitch him on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday and not lose a beat; as far as as a starter,” explained Tadlock. “But as it sits right now, it just seems like it’s the right thing to do to have him out of the bullpen for this weekend and we’ll go from there.”
Prior to the State Farm College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Tadlock indicated he liked the idea of piggybacking starters with relievers in that scenario, but that has shifted as the season has progressed.
“We like him coming out of the bullpen after anybody. Obviously, he’s a guy that has a lot of experience. We also like him starting, like I’d have no problem running him out there tomorrow,” said Tadlock. “It just so happens Birdsell had a pretty good start last weekend, and so did the other two. It’s just not the time right now to try and move guys around, we like regular rest.”
The Red Raiders will face the Cowboys at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Randy Rosetta will have a full On Deck preview coming for you soon.
