The LSU Pitching Plan: What Do You Do With Paul Skenes?

The Tigers and Gators enter a winner-take-all showdown in Game Three on Monday.

The LSU Tigers enter a tricky situation as they game plan for their Game 3 winner-take-all showdown against Florida in Monday's College World Series Finals.

The pitching rotation has been a rollercoaster ride all season long, but one thing has been certain, Paul Skenes is the No. 1 pitcher in college baseball.

After pitching Skenes in Thursday’s elimination game against Wake Forest, it was another masterclass display on the bump. Skenes went 8.0 innings while striking out nine batters and giving up just two hits. The National Player of the Year tossed 120 pitches on just four days rest.

Now, the question comes: What do you do with Paul Skenes in Game 3 with a National Championship on the line?

Here are a few scenarios:

Option 1: Start Thatcher Hurd, Bring Skenes Out The Bullpen, Riley Cooper Close

Hurd has quietly proven how effective he can be when the lights are brightest. It hasn’t been to the level of Skenes or Ty Floyd, but he’s been an effective Day 3 starter when LSU has called his number.

Could we see Hurd earn the start with Skenes coming out of the bullpen?

Skenes has come out of the bullpen in his career, but not during his time in Baton Rouge. In a must-win scenario, any contribution of his goes a long way. It could be a situation where Hurd gives everything he has in the tank and Skenes enters the game for a short stint with Riley Cooper closing things out.

Cooper has been Mr. Reliable all postseason, and with a title on the line, he could turn up the heat even more. A late Sunday night development revealed that Riley Cooper didn't leave his hotel room on Sunday after coming down with a stomach bug and sources confirmed the situation.

With that being said, it could change the Tigers game plan if he isn't good to go, but other options including Gavin Guidry and Griffin Herring remain available. 

Option 2: Start Skenes, Bring Hurd Out The Bullpen, Cooper Close

In a perfect world, Skenes gets the start for the Tigers in their biggest game since 2017. The ace can start LSU off hot and then utilize their bullpen as the game goes on, but with just three (!) and a half days rest, it makes this scenario that much more difficult.

For Hurd in this situation, it puts him in a different position, but one that doesn’t halt any immediate success. With Skenes carrying much of the load early, and Cooper/Guidry in your back pocket, it gives him the chance to empty the tank.

Do you put Skenes on a pitch count if given the start? The majority would say yes given the lack of rest, but when he’s been on the mound, it’s an all-out performance.

Option 3: Start Hurd, Bring Cooper/Griffin Herring Out The Bullpen, Skenes Close

One weapon that is still available is freshman stud Griffin Herring. The youngster was the hero against Wake Forest with the Tigers facing elimination and came in to provide a monster showing on the mound. Herring, along with freshman Gavin Guidry who will be available, has been a big-time contributor this season and could step into the mix.

If you go with either Hurd or Skenes to start, having Herring in your back pocket is a major piece in a winner-take-all showdown. With Cooper also in the fold if healthy, it gives LSU options to work with on Monday.

A Skenes/Hurd/Herring/Cooper mixed bag gives the Tigers four reliable guys in the most important game for this program since 2017. 

Jay Johnson’s Comments on Skenes' Availability on Monday: 

“As I talked about last time, we do a process to figure that out which doesn't take place until day of the game. I mean, you're going on game 8 in 10 days so we have to be mindful of all that.”