(© SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network)

The LSU Tigers have lost three straight conference series and were swept every time. This season is on its last breath, and they desperately need a win. They have a winnable series this weekend as they play host to the 22-24 South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Gamecocks fired their head coach, former Tigers skipper Paul Mainieri, early on this season. They've gone 7-14 in conference play, though, which is actually better than LSU. They are coming off a 2-1 series win over the Kentucky Wildcats.

It'll be strengths vs. weaknesses on both sides of the field in this matchup, so it'll be about who can hunker down and battle to come out on top. South Carolina has the worst offense in the SEC, but it'll be evened out as the Tigers have the worst pitching staff in the conference. The Gamecocks have average pitching, and LSU has an overage offense.

Here's who will take the mound in starts for their respective teams:

Game 1

LSU: RHP William Schmidt

Season Stats: 4-4, 4.17 ERA, 54.0 IP, 72 Ks, 25 BBs

With Casan Evans still dealing with injury issues, Schmidt moves into the first slot. The sophomore has hit a bit of a rough patch in recent weeks, but this will be a good opportunity for him to rebuild some confidence. He should be able to put this South Carolina offense away.

South Carolina: RHP Amp Phillips

Season Stats: 3-5, 3.27 ERA, 55.0 IP, 63 Ks, 27 BBs

Other than having a great name for a pitcher, Phillips was having a fantastic season before stumbling a little bit over the past few weeks. Despite giving up four runs just once over his first nine starts, he has now allowed 10 runs (eight earned) over 5.1 innings in his last two outings. The Tigers will need to continue to apply pressure.

Game 2

LSU: RHP Marco Paz

Season Stats: 0-2, 7.23 ERA, 18.2 IP, 26 Ks, 16 BBs

With this season all but gone, Jay Johnson is not looking towards the future and giving a freshman like Paz the start in the second game of this SEC series. While he hasn't had the cleanest season, the freshman is clearly a bigger part of the plans for the future. Getting him experience within conference play will be valuable.

South Carolina: RHP Brandon Stone

Season Stats: 5-2, 3.60 ERA, 55.0 IP, 52 Ks, 14 BBs

Stone fills the strike zone early and often. Having only 14 walks in 55 innings is remarkable. He does get a fair amount of strikeouts, but batters do generate a lot of contact on him. It's just about making him regret allowing that contact. That's not something LSU has been particularly strong at this season. This could be a tough matchup.

Game 3

LSU: TBA

Season Stats: TBA

South Carolina: TBA

Season Stats: TBA