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This SEC regional host is on upset watch on day one

The Kentucky Wildcats are the second overall seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Despite being ranked so high, they are on upset watch against the Western Michigan Broncos. Here is why.

By Baron Dionis

Kentucky's Ryan Waldschmidt (21) rounded third base after he hit a homerun against Louisville during their game at Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Ky. on Apr. 16, 2024.
Kentucky's Ryan Waldschmidt (21) rounded third base after he hit a homerun against Louisville during their game at Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Ky. on Apr. 16, 2024. / Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA
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The Kentucky Wildcats take on the Western Michigan Broncos at Noon ET this afternoon. On paper, this game looks like it would be a blowout win for Kentucky, but Western Michigan has a significant chance to get an upset victory.

Kentucky has home-field advantage in Lexington

As the two seed in this entire tournament, Kentucky is the favorite, but Western Michigan has a legitimate chance to win. The Broncos are coming off of a Mid-American Conference championship win, which got them into the NCAA Tournament.

This season, Western Michigan led the MAC in batting average and earned run average. Their team batting average was very impressive at .316, but it was not hard to lead the conference in earned run average as they had a 5.50. The team's earned run average is inflated from a tough non-conference schedule. Against MAC teams, their team earned run average is at 4.85.

Although their earned run average is not impressive, Kentucky does not have a great pitching staff either. The Wildcats have a team ERA of 5.23. Their competition is much harder in the SEC, but it still is not very good.

Kentucky has announced Dominic Niman as the starting pitcher for game one. This season, Niman has an 8-4 record with an earned run average of 5.94 in 66.2 innings pitched and has struck out 62 batters.

Western Michigan has not announced their starting pitcher, but their probable starter is Nolan Vicek. He has been their ace this season with a 5-3 record with an earned run average of 4.15 in 82.1 innings pitched and has struck out 90 batters.

Dominic Niman will have a tough time facing the Broncos lineup. They have five hitters batting over .300 and three of those five hitters have double-digit home runs.

The Wildcats only have three hitters batting over .300 and two hitters with double digit home runs. Kentucky still has a very good offense, but Western Michigan has better overall numbers.

This is going to be a very competitive game with two very good teams. First pitch is at noon on the SEC Network. Kentucky is the favorite, but Western Michigan could shock the world with a victory today.

A surprising Regional bid for an SEC team. A surprising Regional bid for an SEC team. dark. Next

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