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Florida Gators Baseball Preview: Miami provides first litmus test of season

By Benjamin Henderson

May 27, 2022; Hoover, AL, USA; Florida designated hitter Jac Caglianone (14) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Ala., Thursday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa NewsSports Sec Baseball Tournament Florida Vs Arkansas
May 27, 2022; Hoover, AL, USA; Florida designated hitter Jac Caglianone (14) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Ala., Thursday. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa NewsSports Sec Baseball Tournament Florida Vs Arkansas /
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When it comes to Florida Gators baseball, it is easy to get caught up in the 8-2 start that has seen the Gators jump into the top 10 nationally of multiple offensive categories. Florida is third in the country in runs scored with 117 runs in just ten games.

And while Florida has faced respectable competition to this point, the bar that they want to achieve this season mandates having to beat teams like the one they will face this weekend.

Florida Gators Baseball: Gatekeeper U

Much like their football team, the Miami Hurricanes baseball team peaked in 2001 when they won their fourth national title. Since 2009 however, they have only returned to Omaha twice, with the last appearance being in 2016.

Miami has stayed relevant on the national scene, but they have slowly drifted into gatekeeper territory. Since their 2016 postseason run, Miami hasn’t even made it out of the regional round to make it to the Super Regionals.

The translation is a series win for Florida Gators baseball would help solidify their status as a legitimate contender to make Omaha, but a series loss would open more questions as to whether this squad has the actual makeup needed to make a deep run.

Miami enters this series 7-2 on the season, with series wins over Penn State and Dartmouth. The Hurricanes lost their mid-week game on Tuesday against Florida Atlantic.

The Hurricanes can hit, scoring at least five runs in eight of their nine games. As a team, they have 78 runs and are 32nd nationally in this category.

Zach Levenson is on fire to start the season for them. He’s 14-28 at the plate with an additional eight walks for an eyepopping on base percentage of .662. He’s backed up by Blake Cyr hitting .440 with 13 RBIs and Yohandy Morales hitting .424 with 12 RBIs.

Miami’s strength at the plate is the long ball. With 24 home runs on the season, the Hurricanes are just one behind Florida’s total and they are 4th in the country in this category.

This is where the tendency Florida Gators baseball has had this season to walk guys could play a major role. Florida is walking 4.45 guys per game. While this is still in the upper half of the country, coming in at 115th nationally, it pales in comparison to Miami pitchers only allowing 2.92 walks per game, 25th best in the country.

This series could be as simple as which squad manages to have guys on base when the long balls start flying. And as we have chronicled on the site, Florida’s bullpen is massive concern no matter how large Florida’s lead may get. Miami on the flip side has had a relatively stable bullpen, with five different guys that have made at least two appearances sporting an ERA under 2.00.

This will no doubt be a tough series for Florida, but it is one they need to win if they want to be considered serious contenders to make it to Omaha come June.

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