After a tough series against ACC Coastal Division leader Georgia Tech resulted in three lopsided losses last weekend, the Blue Devils will get a shot at redemption as ACC Atlantic Division leader Clemson comes to Durham Bulls Athletic Park for a weekend set.
In those three devastating losses to the Yellow Jackets, the Duke pitching staff failed to get hitters out with any kind of consistency and gave up 43 runs over the course of three games. While Duke (17-12, 3-9 in the ACC) enters this series in a bit of a tailspin, the No. 11 Tigers (22-8, 9-3) have been victorious in four of their last five outings.
“Clemson is a very good team, having another terrific year and they’re a really aggressive team,” head coach Sean McNally said. “But our focus is really on us, we haven’t had good results lately... so we’ve got to perform better.”
In order to have a chance to compete with the ACC’s premier programs, the Blue Devils need to get more consistent starts from their rotation and then follow up those efforts with solid relief outings from the bullpen. To this point in the season, McNally has yet to solidify the weekend rotation, having gone with six different starting pitchers in as many games.
Against Clemson, McNally will first turn to senior lefthander Christopher Manno, who has started the last two weekend openers and recorded a loss and a no-decision. Those are Manno’s only starts on the season, but he has been very effective out of the bullpen as opponents are hitting just .190 against him this season.
“A couple of years ago he made his debut against Clemson and pitched really well,” McNally said. “Our expectation is he goes out there, throws strikes and goes after their batters.”
On Saturday, junior righthander Dennis O’Grady will get the ball. Even though he has yet to record a win this year, the workhorse has been one of the team’s most reliable starters, working deep into several games. McNally has yet to name a starter for the series finale.
Last weekend, reliever after reliever for Duke saw baseballs shelled all over the yard. However, that is a bit of an exception for a unit that had been one of the best in the conference until that demoralizing series. Particularly impressive for the Blue Devils has been righty Ben Grisz, who leads the squad in appearances and boasts a 2.93 ERA to go along with his 2-1 record. Also, freshman Marcus Stroman, who doubles as a starting infielder, has provided quality innings on the mound and has a 3-1 record.
If the Blue Devils’ pitching staff can quell the Tiger bats, Duke will look to steal a couple of games behind what has been a very timely offense. On the year, the team is hitting .301 with runners in scoring position. As of late, infielder Jake Lemmerman and outfielder Will Piwnica-Worms have been carrying the offense. Lemmerman is riding a 13-game hitting streak and has four home runs in his last six games. He also is currently batting .327 during the streak.
If these hitters and others can stay hot, the Blue Devils will have a chance to surprise the conference-leading Tigers.
But, as always in baseball, it will start with the performance of the guys on the mound.
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