Game times against West-leading A&M not

Officially, Texas A&M’s pitcher for the third game of this weekend’s series at LSU is listed as TBA.

You might say the same thing about the whole series.

The start times are listed for 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

That’s highly likely subject to change, given the nasty weather forecast for today.

The schools will discuss their options this morning in a conference call with the Southeastern Conference office.

If the forecast doesn’t change, a likely scenario would be postponing tonight’s game, with a doubleheader on Saturday, although that could conflict with LSU’s spring football set for 1 p.m.

Unlike the football exhibition, the baseball games really means something.

LSU (21-9, 6-3 SEC) enters the series in a three-way tie for second place in the SEC West, a half game behind the Aggies (24-6-1, 6-2-1). The A&M tie was the result of a game stopped by travel curfew last Sunday against Missouri.

The Tigers, who are tied with Auburn and Arkansas, bring a four-game winning streak to the table and a hot — but short-handed — pitching staff.

Coming off a road series win against then-No. 1 Mississippi State the Tigers tuned up for the big series with back-to-back combined shutouts in the midweek in wins over Grambling State (9-0) and South Alabama (2-0).

“The pitching has certainly been a highlight for us over the past two days,” Mainieri said, noting that South Alabama had scored 15 runs the night before against Southern Mississippi. “We’re pretty thin right now because of some injuries, and to go out there and throw two straight shutouts in the middle of the week is significant.

“Honestly, we couldn’t have mapped it out any better.”

The Tigers might need more of the same whenever this weekend’s games are played.

Whoever that TBA turns out to be on Sunday — look for a third consecutive left-hander against the Tigers’ lefty-heavy batting order — LSU may need more of the same.

The Aggies bring the SEC’s top-ranked pitching staff to Alex Box Stadium with a 2.56 ERA.

First-game left-hander John Doxakis (3-2, 2.38 ERA) has 53 strikeouts in 412⁄3 innings while second-game lefty Asa Lacy (5-0, 1.48) leads the SEC with 60 strikeouts in 422⁄3 innings.

LSU will be without left fielder Daniel Cabrera, who has missed the last three games while battling a thumb injury.

Mainieri said he hopes to have Cabrera back next weekend, but for A&M he’ll continue to be replaced by freshman Giovanni DiGiacomo, who usually serves as the designated hitter. DiGiacomo is 3-for-11 with a double, three RBIs, two runs and two stolen bases in Cabrera’s sted.

Pitching Matchups

7 p.m. Today

A&M, LH John Doxakis (3-2, 2.38 ERA, 412⁄3 IP, 5 BB, 53 SO) vs. LSU, RH Zack Hess (2-2, 4.06 ERA, 372⁄3 IP, 18 BB, 39 SO)

2 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2

A&M, LH Asa Lacy (5-0, 1.48 ERA, 422⁄3 IP, 16 BB, 68 SO vs. LSU, RH Cole Henry (2-1, 3.90 ERA, 30 IP, 10 BB, 34 SO)

2 p.m. Sunday

A&M, TBA vs. LSU, RH Eric Walker (2-1, 4.60 ERA, 291⁄3 IP, 9 BB, 20 SO)

LSU pitcher Zack Hess throws to an Oregon State batter during an NCAA college baseball tournament regional game in Corvallis, Ore.

Associated Press