This weekend, No. 9 LSU baseball is set to host No. 15 Alabama in Baton Rouge. Boasting a 32-6 record, the Tigers aim to recover from getting swept at Auburn, while the Tide, standing at 30-8, seek to make a statement in this pivotal SEC matchup.
Last year LSU lost the series to the Tide, only losing by a run in the two games they surrendered. Here are three storylines to watch in the 2025 meeting:
Top draft prospects face off: Daniel Dickinson vs. Justin Lebron
Tigers’ second baseman, Daniel Dickinson, a transfer from Utah Valley, has been a standout performer this season. With a .369 career batting average, eight home runs and 27 RBIs, he’s also showcased his speed with 32 stolen bases in 2024. Dickinson went 3-for-11 last weekend against Auburn. He will be a key piece in reigniting an uncharacteristically inept offense.
On the other side, Alabama’s shortstop, Justin Lebron, brings both offensive prowess and defensive reliability. He’s batting .333 this season with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. Players like Kade Snell and Will Hodo will also prove formidable threats every at-bat. Also among this group is former LSU catcher Brady Neal, who transferred last offseason. But the matchup between Dickinson and Lebron, two top MLB Draft prospects, adds to the excitement of the series.
LSU’s pitching depth vs. Alabama’s offensive firepower
The talent of players like Lebron, Snell and Hodo will be tested against a LSU pitching staff that has been quietly progressing to a top tier group in the SEC. Kade Anderson delivers some of the best outings in the SEC every week and both Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores have had their share of strong performances.
Despite the recent news of Gavin Guidry being ruled out for the season, the LSU bullpen is just as imposing. Zac Cowan and Casan Evans are likely the best relief duo in the conference, consistently providing multiple innings of security every weekend.
Beyond those two, the depths of the bullpen have been progressing with the season. William Schmidt and Mavrick Rizy have shown significant growth in recent weeks and Connor Benge and Jacob Mayers have performed well in their own brief appearances lately.
Particularly for the latter group, bringing the magic from midweek games to the Tide would be instrumental to a series win, or even a sweep.
Historical rivalry and recent trends
Historically, the Tide hold a slight edge in the all-time series against LSU, leading 202-181-3. However, in recent years, the Tigers have dominated, winning 14 of the last 16 SEC regular-season series against Alabama since 2007.
The Tide did manage a 2-1 series win last season, avenging the Tigers’ sweep in 2023. Alabama hasn’t secured a series win in Baton Rouge since 2016.
Mid-April series’ show how good a team really is weeks into conference play. For LSU, it’s an opportunity to respond to ugly losses the same way they have all season, complete and decisive wins.
The series starts on Thursday at 7 p.m. All three games will be held at Alex Box Stadium and can be streamed on SEC Network+.
