Big Ten Championship: Pitching Preview

It is championship Sunday! Nebraska faces a yet to be determined opponent between Ohio State and Minnesota. Nebraska saved their bullpen outside of Robbie Palkert last night in their 7-3 semifinal win over Michigan.

• Bo Blessie (0 wins-0 losses, 1.80 ERA)
• Colby Gomes (0-2, 2.84)
• Byron Hood (0-0, 13.50)
• Ben Klenke (0-1, 4.91)
• Chad Luensmann (1-2, 6.75)
• Shay Schanaman (1-2, 4.02)
• Max Schreiber (0-0, 4.35)
• Paul Tillotson (0-0, 15.83)
• Mike Waldron (2-1, 4.50)

Out of the list of those pitchers, the ideal game plan might start Luensmann. Hope Luensmann can get out to a lead early and pitch maybe three innings for the Huskers. Mike Waldron and Ben Klenke could get the middle innings, maybe even the seventh inning. Schanaman would get the eighth before Gomes gets the ninth would be the ideal situation.

• Andrew Magno (4-3, 2.44)
• Joe Gahm (1-0, 4.00)
• Thomas Waning (1-0, 4.29)
• Bayden Root (2-3, 5.13)
• Jake Vance (3-2, 6.37)
• Mitch Milheeim (1-1, 7.52)
• TJ Brock (0-1, 7.94)

The biggest question mark for Ohio State would be the availability of Garrett Burhenn. Burhenn was hit by a ball last weekend in West Lafayette and has been in concussion protocol. If Burhenn was cleared, then Ohio State becomes a more dangerous team. Magno is the only pitcher with an ERA below 4 on this list.

• Jeff Fasching (1-0, 1.57)
• Brett Schulze (5-1, 3.12)
• J.P. Massey (0-1, 5.40)
• Nolan Burchill (0-1, 6.75)
• Joshua Culliver (3-4, 4.64)
• Danny Kapala (0-0, 13.50)
• Gus Radal (0-1, 14.73)
• Sam Thoresen (4-3, 5.24)

Oh boy. Minnesota is short on arms. Thoresen and Culliver would be the two most likely to start after both pitching in extended outings earlier this tournament. Schulze has pitched multiple days in a row and pitched this morning, but Minnesota could try and use him in a do or die situation.