How to Watch: Florida baseball vs Alabama Crimson Tide in SEC opener

Florida baseball gets set to host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday, March 16, in the first of a three-game weekend series to open the Southeastern Conference schedule at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The Gators started the season with a three-game sweep of the visiting Charleston Southern Buccaneers but split a home-and-home with the South Florida Bulls that saw both teams win the away game during the week. The Orange and Blue bounced back from the USF loss with a sweep of the visiting Cincinnati Bearcats two weekends ago but then split another home-and-home with the Jacksonville Dolphins last week.

Last weekend, Florida took two of three at home from the No. 22 Miami Hurricanes before sweeping a midweek series at home against the Florida Atlantic Owls. The Gators then swept the Siena Saints last weekend and a won single midweek matchup against the North Florida Ospreys to push their overall record to 16-3 on the season.

How to Watch

THURSDAY (7 p.m. EDT)

• Watch: SEC Network+

• Listen: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM WRUF

• Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)

Projected Starting Pitchers

Pitcher Notes

Brandon Sproat finally got through a start without giving up a run last weekend, but that outing came against Siena and Alabama is going to be a different story. Sproat’s had good strikeout stuff this year, but he has struggled with command too. He’s hit six batters and walked 12 more, and the Crimson Tide will take advantage of free baserunners.

It’s a big outing for Florida’s ace. Let’s see if he can keep up his undefeated run that dates back to last season.

Hagan Banks made two starts for Alabama in 2022 and will get his first start in 2023 against Florida. He hasn’t given up a run yet in 6 1/3 innings of work, but Florida boasts the top offense in the country. The Crimson Tide started the season down a couple of key arms and the Thursday start to the series doesn’t help with depth. If Banks slips up early, they can turn to Jacob McNairy. — David Rosenberg

Florida's Projected Starting Lineup

Other Players to Watch

Gary Cosby Jr.-The Tuscaloosa News

Former Florida catcher Mac Guscette should get a start or two against his former club this weekend. He’s batting .412 with five home runs in 12 starts with the Tide and is used to hitting at Condron Family Ballpark.

The rest of the lineup can hit, too. Nine players are hitting above .300 with at least 34 at-bats on the year. Colby Shelton is the power threat with 10 home runs and 22 RBIs, and Drew Williamson can do it all batting .434 with six homers. Caden Rose is a threat on the base paths, but the rest of the team doesn’t really steal. — Rosenberg

Series History

NOTES: Florida usually handles Alabama in Gainesville and the Gators took two of three from the Crimson Tide last year in Tuscaloosa before beating them in the SEC Tournament later on. Alabama’s a good team, but history is in favor of Florida here. – Rosenberg

Prediction

GAME 1: Florida, 8-4

SERIES: I’ll go bold to start off conference play. Alabama has played a weak schedule and doesn’t have the starting pitching to keep Florida quiet. I expect everything to click for UF this weekend, and the starting rotation to give its best-combined effort of the year. Gators sweep and get things done early on Saturday, 3-0. — Rosenberg

Read more

Check out Gators Wire’s other position previews for the 2023 season:

• Catchers

• First Basemen

• Second Basemen

• Third Basemen

• Shortstops

• Otufielders

• Starting Pitchers

• Relief Pitchers

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Story originally appeared on Gators Wire