Pac-12 Network Game of the Week: Arizona State vs. No. 2 Arizona
The Pac-12 Game of the Week is determined by the spotlight game on the Pac-12 Network. This week’s game is set for Sunday at 5 p.m. PT start time and features Arizona State vs. No. 2 Arizona. The Pac-12 spotlight game will be game three of the series with game one on Friday and game two on Saturday. (All stats are through 4/26/2017)
At the Plate
The edge here is clearly with the Arizona Wildcats who as a team are batting .341 with 82 home runs so far this season. They have four players who have double-digit home runs in Katiyana Mauga (21), Jessie Harper (16), Alyssa Palomino (15) and Dejah Mulipola (11). Mo Mercado is batting .407 and has nine home runs on the season. As a team, they have outscored the opposition 383-61. The Sun Devils come into the series batting .287 as a team with 44 home runs. Leading them is Chelsea Gonzales with a .372 average and leads the team in home runs (10). Three others are batting .300 in Taylor Beccera (.247), Sashel Palacios (.325) and Skylar McCarty (.324). Both teams face good pitching staffs, but Arizona has been punishing the ball and that should be enough for them to score runs in this series.
In the Circle
The two are much closer, at least on paper, when it comes to pitching. The Wildcats currently hold a 1.17 staff ERA. Leading the way is Danielle O’Toole (24-3) with her 0.93 ERA and 171 strikeouts. Taylor McQuillin (15-1) has also been rock solid in the circle. She enters the weekend with a 1.52 ERA and 121 strikeouts. It is most likely that these are the two we see this weekend. Arizona State has used three pitchers this season in Breanna Macha (11-6) with a 1.52 ERA, Dale Ryndak (7-3) with a 1.88 ERA and Giselle Juarez (5-4) with a 2.49 ERA. Unearned runs have been an issue for the Sun Devils this season with 1/3 of the runs scored against them being unearned. Things won’t get any easier this weekend with the Wildcats.
Analysis
Arizona is having a great season and all signs point to a serious bid at the WCWS. They have the pitching and their bats have been and remained hot all season long. The balance they have with power and speed allows them to capitalize on any mistakes their opponents make. As stated above, Arizona State has had some issues on the defensive side of the ball. The Sun Devils will have to play nearly flawless in the field or else we can see the Wildcats scoring in bunches. They other issue is that the ASU pitching staff will have to keep the ball in the park. Overall, we can see Arizona sweeping the series. With that said, it is a big rivalry game and anything can happen in those.
Pick: Arizona, 3-0
