AUBURN, Ala. – No. 12 Auburn (20-4, 4-2 SEC) is set to take on in-state rival Alabama (19-6, 2-4 SEC) in the 11th annual MAX Capital City Classic at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Alabama, Tuesday night. First pitch between the Tigers and Crimson Tide is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.
Tuesday's action will be broadcast on national TV on SEC Network. The game can also be heard locally on WTGZ-FM (93.9) or WQSI-FM (95.9), online at AuburnTigers.com, or on a mobile device via the Auburn Athletics app.
PROBABLE STARERS
Tuesday – Fr. LHP Garrett Wade (3-0, 3.45) vs. Fr. RHP Tyler Ras (1-1, 3.06)
QUICK HITTERS
The Tigers won four games against the Crimson Tide by a combined score of 49-12 last year.
The team's series sweep in Tuscaloosa was its first road sweep against Alabama since 1976.
Auburn hasn't won five straight games against Alabama since winning nine straight against the Crimson Tide from 1978-79.
Will Holland was named the 2018 Capital City Classic MVP after becoming the first player to homer twice in the annual event.
Auburn's 15-game winning streak was snapped Saturday at Mississippi State. The 15-game streak was the second longest in the country and tied for the third longest in program history.
The Tigers became the third team in program history to start a season 20-2 with the series-opening win at Mississippi. The 1997 and 1999 teams also started the season 20-2 or better.
Ryan Bliss hit .467 (7-for-15) and reached base 10 times in four games last week.
Conor Davis leads the team with a .382 average (13-for-34) in the last 10 games.
Auburn is one of nine teams in the country, including six from the SEC, with 20 or more wins this season.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE
Alabama comes in at 19-6 and 2-4 in Southeastern Conference play after dropping a series at home against Arkansas.
Offensively, Alabama is hitting .284 and is led by junior infielder Kolby Robinson's .397 clip. Keith Holcombe leads the team with 25 RBI on the season and is tied with Morgan McCullough for the team lead in doubles (nine). Sophomore outfielder Tyler Gentry has provided the power, leading the team with 5 home runs.
The Crimson Tide has been one of the top teams in manufacturing runs this season. Alabama leads the SEC and is tied for the national lead in sacrifice flies with 18 so far.
On the mound, Alabama has turned in a staff ERA of 2.92. Tuesday's starter Tyler Ras picked up the first win of his career in the last midweek contest for the Crimson Tide, tossing 5.0 innings against Maine on Mar. 19.
SERIES HISTORY
Auburn has won nine of the 10 Capital City Classic matchups in Montgomery, including four straight.
However, Alabama holds a 161-132 advantage in the in-state rivalry that dates back to 1896.