Texas to Host Super Regional

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Texas will host Houston for the Super Regionals. Games are Friday at 4, Saturday at 2, Sunday at 2. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23HookEm&amp;src=hash">#HookEm</a></p>&mdash; Texas Baseball (@Texas_Baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Texas_Baseball/statuses/473796619695964160">June 3, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I don't know what it means in terms of Texas' chances of winning, as it was pointed out many times over the weekend that the Longhorns bat .050 better on the road than at home. Nonetheless, there is something to be said for not having to travel and getting the chance to advance to Omaha from your home ballpark, and the NCAA has seen fit to give Texas that opportunity.

Much more on Houston this week, but for now suffice it to say this will be a matchup of strength vs strength. The Cougars are a team built on pitching and defense, as are the Longhorns. One interesting question will be the rotation for Texas this weekend. At Rice, Augie Garrido went with Nathan Thornhill in Game One to beat the Aggies and saved Parker French for the top-seeded Owls. Neither of the top two (non-injured) starters is a lefty, which is a shame since Houston tends to do better against right-handers.

Still, both have been throwing very well lately; and after Chad Hollingsworth's complete-game dominance of A&M yesterday, it no longer feels as if Dillon Peters' absence requires the Longhorns to win the first two games if they want to advance.

As Jeff texted me last night: what odds would you have given at the beginning of the season for Texas not to host a regional but to host a Super Regional? 10,000 to 1? Hop in that time machine, Marty, and go place a bet. See you at the Disch, Cougars--I trust those of you lucky enough to live in Austin will pack the place to the gills.