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It's pretty simple now. Three games at Jackie Robinson Stadium, win two, go to the College World Series. If only it actually were that simple because TCU won't allow it to get simple. The Horned Frogs are riding high after winning four straight games to close out the College Station Regional and did it with a high-powered offense that will challenge the Bruin pitchers. Still, UCLA is the number two national seed and went a perfect 3-0 last weekend. As winners of 14 of their last 15, the Bruins are flying.
Adam Plutko will get the start for the Bruins, which is good news for anyone in blue and gold. The sophomore is 5-0 in his last five starts with a 0.49 ERA and has not allowed a run in 16.2 career postseason innings. He is the guy that the Bruins want on the mount.
TCU will counter with Brandon Finnegan, who worked primarily out of the bullpen this year, but did make 10 starts. He pitched well last weekend in his start and was moved into the rotation for this weekend on the back of that start. Well, that and his being a left-hander to counter the Bruins' left-handed heavy lineup. He went 4-4 with a 3.30 ERA in 2012.
The game gets underway at 6 pm PT and will be televised nationally. Because of the late start to the U.S. soccer match, the baseball game will start on ESPNU and then move to ESPN when the soccer match is over. It will also be live on ESPN3. As always, follow along for updates, thoughts and everything else about the program on my UCLA baseball twitter. This is your open thread so fire away.