In our season preview, I outlined three key metrics against which we could reliably measure UCLA’s success this season:
- How will the starting pitching rotation limit the dropoff in talent from last year’s departed class of superstars?
- Will the offense step up and produce more than they had to last year?
- Can the Bruins fill the void at catcher following Darrell Miller Jr.‘s season-ending injury?
Additionally, these were based on some assumptions about areas of strength for John Savage-coached teams: the defense will be excellent, the bullpen will be reliable, and the offense will play small ball.