What To Look For This Weekend? National Writers Chime In

You guys may have heard, but this weekend is a big. It's very big. It's gigantic, humongous and whatever other words you want to throw in there. UCLA will play Arizona St. in a three-game conference series at Jackie Robinson Stadium, matching what many believe are the Pac-10's two top teams and two of the top teams nationally. Some of the country's best college baseball writers are making the trek to Los Angeles for the weekend to check out the series that will have the eyes of the nation on it.

The series also has a big impact on the conference championships race. UCLA enters the weekend 2.5 games behind Arizona St. in the Pac-10 standings. A series win would move the Bruins to within a game and a half of the Sun Devils with three fewer conference games played. Arizona St. has a brutal finish to their schedule so if the Bruins can take this weekend's series and get to 1.5 games back, they will be in good position to give the Pac-10 title a chase.

Ever since both the Bruins and Sun Devils got off to undefeated starts and were the last two remaining undefeated teams in the country, this weekend's series has been in the spotlight. I've put a spotlight on it for several weeks now and while I do my best to be fair, I cannot pretend to be unbiased. So, instead of my quick look at this weekend, we begin the run up to the gigantic series with six national baseball writers answering four basic questions about this weekend's series. A huge thanks to all six of them for taking their time to answers these questions.

- Kendall Rogers, Rivals.com College Baseball Editor

1) How big of a series is the UCLA vs. Arizona St. match-up?

I think it’s big. Obviously it means something in the grand scheme of things in the Pac-10 race, but it means even more on the national stage. The winner of this series, given it doesn’t collapse to end the season, is pretty much guaranteed a pretty high national seed... Therefore, that makes this weekend huge. Also, perception is reality. And if UCLA wins this series, it will be perceived as the best team in the Pac-10. This series is huge in practicality and perception-wise.

2) What kind of a statement can UCLA make with a series win?

I think it would be a huge statement. The Bruins have won plenty of series this season, but it must be noted that their "marquee" series win is over Arizona last weekend... Arizona is good, but it’s not a top ten team. Therefore, winning a series over Arizona State will show the nation the Bruins here to stay this season as a national power and national title contender. It’s a statement weekend for UCLA.

3) What thing or player do you think will make the difference this weekend?

Rob Rasmussen. I think this series comes down to the series finale. And Rasmussen will be the man to be counted on for the obvious reasons.... UCLA is going to need a big start from him.

4) Who do you think wins the series?

UCLA. Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer got back on track against Arizona... And there’s a good chance they put together another great weekend. Cole and Bauer throw hard and there are some teams out there that can perhaps hit the long ball off them. However, Zona State is not a fantastic power hitting team. That works in UCLA’s favor, in my opinion. UCLA wins two of three.

- Mark Etheridge, SEBaseball.com Publisher

1) How big of a series is the UCLA vs. Arizona St. match-up?

This is a monster series. You just don't get many top five clubs on the field together in any sport. We have had a few other the years - the ACC seems to have a couple each season - but this matchup definitely stacks up with any series played anywhere all season. Considering the early undefeated record both teams had, they were referred to in tandem often. This is natural culmination of that discussion where we get to find out 'who's better', even if the outcome might present as many questions as answers.

2) What kind of a statement can UCLA make with a series win?

I think there is still some uncertainty and reluctance about UCLA based on the failure of meeting expectations in past seasons. Until they produce at a national level, that stigma remains.

3) What thing or player do you think will make the difference this weekend?

If UCLA's fearsome rotation keeps their pitchcount down and throws strikes, they are going to be tough to handle. The other thing to watch is how the teams handle the pressure of the big moment. ASU has a lot more experience as a program in these moments - although a lot of their key components have changed.

4) Who do you think wins the series?

I'm going with the home team in a season-defining moment. UCLA has their moment in the sun.

- Eric Sorenson, CollegeBaseballToday.com Writer

1) How big of a series is the UCLA vs. Arizona St. match-up?

It's certainly big. At least it's the biggest series for UCLA since before you were born - the 1997 Stanford series. But it's not vital for either team... unless there is a sweep involved. So as long as either team doesn't get swept, it won't be a big disaster or anything.

2) What kind of a statement can UCLA make with a series win?

Well, a series win would reaffirm they do indeed have one of the best pitching staffs in the country, because if they can squash THAT hitting order, it'd make people notice, big time. Now, if they could pull out all three games? Shoot, that'd stop people from crunching their morning cereal until they finished reading the entire article.

3) What thing or player do you think will make the difference this weekend?

Rob Rasmussen. 'Coz Sunday pitchers win series.

4) Who do you think wins the series?

Arizona State... but only if Josh Spence makes a shocking re-emergence from his "injury" and pitches ASU to a Friday win. Otherwise, Bruins take the series.

- Aaron Fitt, Baseball America National Writer

1) How big of a series is the UCLA vs. Arizona St. match-up?

I'd say it's the most anticipated series of 2010 to this point, because of the way those two teams started the season with those long winning streaks, and the fact that this is really the first marquee series against a top 10 opponent for either of them. If you're looking for a measuring stick against elite competition, this is it. Whichever team wins this series has the inside track at a national seed in the NCAA tournament, although both teams could very well wind up with national seeds.

2) What kind of a statement can UCLA make with a series win?

As talented as the Bruins are and as terrific as their season has been, doubts will linger about their toughness and ability to rise to big spots until they can get over the hump to Omaha. UCLA does have a reputation for underachieving, and some of that is probably unfair. Perhaps we created unrealistic expectations for the Bruins when we ranked them No. 1 in the nation in the preseason in 2008, but every talent evaluator and coach we spoke with on the West Coast told us it was the right move at the time -- that team was legitimately talented, and of course it fell on its face. Arizona State, meanwhile, has dominated the Pac-10 over the last few years. Certainly, this weekend is an opportunity for UCLA to make a big statement that they are the best team in the West and a bona fide Omaha favorite.

3) What thing or player do you think will make the difference this weekend?

Can Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer work efficiently? When Oregon beat those guys two weeks ago, Ducks coach George Horton said the key was to take a lot of pitches and foul off a lot of pitches to drive up pitch counts against the two aces. Cole and Bauer can't be afraid to pitch to contact now and then -- trust the defense to make plays behind them, conserve their strength and go for the big strikeouts in big spots. If they try to strike out 15, Arizona State will beat them, because the Sun Devils excel at driving up pitch counts. That team ranks among the national leaders in walks, and they are in the top 25 in that category again this year.

4) Who do you think wins the series?

Both teams have had cracks in their armor exposed lately. Arizona State is an excellent club, but its bullpen has been surprisingly vulnerable lately, and as good as the starting rotation has been, that group is not as good as UCLA's. I think the Bruins will win two of three at home.

- Brian Foley, TheCollegeBaseballBlog.com Editor

1) How big of a series is the UCLA vs. Arizona St. match-up?

It is a huge matchup based on the rankings but in theory, both of these squads are going to be hosting regionals come June. The only thing that this series could change is whether UCLA or ASU is a protected seed come Super Regional time.

2) What kind of a statement can UCLA make with a series win?

UCLA has been playing marginal baseball lately going 8-7 and really need to get back on track. They have one series win against a solid club which came this past weekend against Arizona.

3) What thing or player do you think will make the difference this weekend?

The UCLA bats need to come alive this weekend as I think the Arizona State hitters will be able to get to the UCLA pitchers. The question is whether UCLA can shut down the Sun Devils bats.

4) Who do you think wins the series?

ASU 2 games to 1.

- Phil Stanton, CollegeBaseballInsider.com Editor

1) How big of a series is the UCLA vs. Arizona St. match-up?

I think it is the biggest series in the West this season and one of the top series in the country. It should help determine the Pac-10 title.

2) What kind of a statement can UCLA make with a series win?

UCLA is just 8-7 after its 22-0 start. The Bruins need to show that they have not yet peaked this season. If UCLA wants to remain in contention for a national seed in the NCAA Tournament, it needs to win this series.

3) What thing or player do you think will make the difference this weekend?

I think the effectiveness of the starting pitching will be the deciding factor this weekend. UCLA needs to quiet those potent ASU bats. The Sun Devil starters must match the Bruin starters inning for inning.

4) Who do you think wins the series?

With its superior starting pitching and playing the series at home, I think UCLA takes two of three from Arizona State.