Texas A&M junior pitchers' impressive start should spur lineup change

No. 7 Texas A&M entered Sunday on a low note after dropping Saturday's doubleheader vs. No. 8 Auburn by a combined score of 23-9, including Game 2's close 5-4 defeat that should have gone the other way late. Still, coach Mike Earley and his veteran lineup weren't discouraged, knowing that junior Weston Moss, who has steadily improved this season, would take the mound.

While reliable sophomore closer Clayton Freshcorn finished the job after allowing two runs in the top of the ninth, the Aggies' critical 4-3 win prevented what would have been the program's first sweep of the season, and kept Texas A&M in position to earn a double-bye in the SEC Tournament. Moss, who made his 11th start of the season, entered with an average 5.64 ERA and 42 strikeouts.

This morning, I discussed Earley and pitching coach Jason Kelley potentially making a change to the starting pitching staff after junior Shane Sdao's struggles in Saturday's first game, allowing six runs and being pulled after just one full inning. Even though sophomore Aiden Sims didn't have his best game, he is still the best option, and Moss's Sunday performance should spur this change.

In 6.1 innings, Moss allowed just one hit and one earned run and six strikeouts, looking like the Moss of last season as one of the program's top relief options in the bullpen. Compared to Sdao, Moss has steadily improved, and could slot in as the Friday or Saturday starter, while optioning Sdao for Sunday looks like the best and most realistic option.

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