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UCLA has had some trouble in Pac-12 play, slumping to 7-5 as the offensive struggles have doomed the team on a few occasions, but through it all, the Bruins are still in the hunt for another conference title. They are just 3.5 games of first place Oregon and have a golden chance to make up ground this weekend in Eugene. Lucky for us, we can watch it too because the first two games of the series, beginning tonight, are live on the Pac-12 Networks.
Adam Plutko will start for the Bruins tonight. He's turned things on of late and looks every bit like the dominant ace that UCLA expected him to be. He threw seven innings of shutout ball last week, and the week before hurled seven innings and just allowed one unearned run to improve to 4-2 with a 2.62 ERA.
Tonight, Plutko will be opposed by Tommy Thorpe, a southpaw that could have the Bruins problems. The sophomore is 5-3 with a 3.07 ERA and it coming off a strong start a week ago, when he allowed just two runs (one earned) on three hits and struck out seven in 7.1 innings.
The game is on the Pac-12 Network so tune in. You can listen to the game live with John Ramey or follow along on my UCLA baseball Twitter. This is your open thread as UCLA looks to make a move in the Pac-12 on national TV so chime in with updates and thoughts all night.