Mississippi State will start its postseason journey late Tuesday night. The Bulldogs will take on the Texas A&M Aggies in the opening round of the 2025 Southeastern Conference Tournament. With a series sweep of Missouri last weekend, the Bulldogs secured their NCAA Regional berth and head to Hoover, looking to boost their tournament resume with a few wins in the SEC Tournament. They travel to the Hoover Met, playing with house money as one of the hottest teams in college baseball. Winners of their last three series, Mississippi State has beaten the likeness of Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Missouri, sweeping two of the three.

Texas A&M, on the other hand, is limping into the SEC Tournament after a disappointing season in which the Aggies were picked first in the preseason polls. The Aggies finished 11-19 in SEC play and are on the outside looking in for an NCAA Regional. For the Aggies to reach Regional play, they would have to go on a run in Hoover and win the SEC Tournament.

Coach Justin Parker announced on Monday afternoon that the Bulldogs would turn to Ryan McPherson to start the opening round against the Aggies. Weather permitting, McPherson will make his second career start on Tuesday night; in a little over 32 innings pitched this season, Ryan has tallied 49 strikeouts, an impressive 4-0 record, and two saves. Texas A&M will go with a sophomore, Weston Moss, on Tuesday night.

From a matchup perspective, Mississippi State has been playing like a brand new team since the administration fired Coach Lemonis before the mid-week against Memphis. Since that moment, Mississippi State has been playing with an extra level of enthusiasm and motivation. Hunter Hines broke the school home run record last weekend at Missouri; Ace Reese has been doing what he does, and as a team, Mississippi State has hit 97 home runs this season.

You never know; Mississippi State has been playing loosely in baseball for the last three weeks. The Aggies need to win the Tournament to reach Regional play, and with that said, it’s hard to pick against the Bulldogs while playing in the late-night hours of the Hoover Met. Mississippi State must continue playing like they’ve been, jumping on the Aggies early and riding the lead into the night.

Mississippi State and Texas A&M are slated for a first pitch around 8:00, but the inclement weather could factor into that as the day rolls on here at the Hoover Met.

Photo Credits- Mississippi State Baseball on X