Now that each Pac-12 baseball team has eclipsed the 40-game mark in late-April, the true contenders are beginning to rise to the top, while others crumble under pressure.
(Last week: No. 1)
The Bruins fell flat at Stanford in the first game of their series with the Cardinal and went on to win 10-0 and 9-3, a scary sight for any of UCLA's future opponents. Add in the fourth-best team ERA in the nation (2.29), and you can imagine the excitement for fans in Pasadena who already experienced the rush of UCLA's 2013 national championship run.
(Last week: No. 4)
Some might say that the recent efforts of the Beavers are too little, too late. But there's also something to be said for taking two of three from USC, and after winning two series in a row, the defending Pac-12 champions may be peaking at just the right moment.
(Last week: No. 2)
The Sun Devils dropped Saturday's game against Tennessee Tech, but still managed a series win in what should have been all accounts a convincing sweep. Sunday's game reflected the true disparity between the two programs — a 16-4 — rout and it's clear that ASU won't see continued Pac-12 success without kicking into a higher gear when it travels to Cal Friday.
(Last week: No. 5)
In what has been one of the streakiest seasons of Golden Bears baseball in recent memory, Cal snapped a three-game losing streak with a sweep of Arizona in Tucson. What was surprising, though, was the impact of its pitching staff — Arizona was held to four runs combined in the series.
(Last week: No. 3)
The Trojans host Cal State Fullerton Tuesday in a regional primer that could be a preview of what's to come for a pair of national baseball powers.
(Last week: No. 6)
The Wildcats open up a series versus both Washington schools and have a chance to salvage the second game against the Sun Devils in Tucson on Tuesday.
(Last week: No. 8)
Taking down Oregon might have been the marquee moment of the season for the Huskies. If they can follow up with Oregon State, Arizona and Utah, they could thrust themselves into a postseason bubble spot as No. 3 or No. 4 seed in a regional.
(Last week: No. 7)
The Ducks are fortunate to play just two more Pac-12 series away from PK Park, as this year's middling Oregon program sinks lower and lower beyond the depths of the team's preseason expectations.
(Last week: No. 10)
The Cougars beat in-state rival Washington and avoided being slotted in the Pac-12 cellar with a series win over Utah in Salt Lake City. Washington State welcomes Arizona on Friday.
(Last week: No. 9)
The Cardinal only have one home series remaining against Oregon State, traveling to Oregon, USC, and Washington State to close out Pac-12 play after falling to 11-14 at Sunken Diamond following a series loss to UCLA.
(Last week: No. 11)
The Utes will venture to the Pacific Northwest with two opportunities to play spoiler — against Oregon State on May 8 and Washington on May 22.
Reach the reporter at smodrich@asu.edu or follow @StefanJModrich on Twitter.
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