Ducks Take on Cardinal Looking to Make Playoff Push
The Oregon Ducks Baseball team will face the Stanford Cardinal at PK Park starting off the series on Friday May 1, 2015, where they will look to right what has been a somewhat rocky ship of late. The Ducks (25-19, 7-11 Pac-12) enter the game just on the outside of the playoff picture and will need to secure the series if they hope to secure a spot in the playoffs at the end of the regular season.
Pitcher Cole Irvin, who has struggled mightily this year, will be a key for the Ducks if they are to succeed against a tough Cardinal outfit. With just a 4.66 ERA heading into the game, Irvin needs to live up to his All-American status.
Although, the relief pitching has been somewhat of a bright spot for Oregon. On Friday freshman left hander David Peterson will be returning from a knee injury to relieve Irvin. Peterson has been perhaps Oregon’s most reliable pitcher thus far this year and could end up being the difference on Friday night.
Ultimately though, it will be Irvin who sets the tone of the game, and the series as a whole, for the Ducks on Friday.
Although Stanford comes into the game at just 19-23, the Ducks would be wise to be wary of the Cardinal given their dreadful March play. Despite the midseason slump, however, Oregon is 7-4 in the month of April. If they can maintain that kind of success for the remainder of the regular season these Ducks have a real chance at the playoffs.
Following Stanford there are three more strong Pac-12 teams barring the Ducks way to the postseason. With the season beginning to enter its climax and close, George Horton’s squad needs to tighten up and buckle down for the playoff push.
