AP Sports Preview

AUBURN, Ala. (Interstat) — The Georgia Bulldogs (41-11) visit the Auburn Tigers (35-16) on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in a pivotal Southeastern Conference series opener at Samford Stadium – Hitchcock Field at Plainsman Park. First pitch for the afternoon game is set for a doubleheader due to weather, with temperatures forecast at 75 degrees and cloudy skies.

Georgia enters on a hot streak, having won 10 of its last 11 games, including a 12-1 rout of LSU on Sunday. The Bulldogs’ offense has been explosive, scoring 12 or more runs in five of their past seven contests.

Center fielder/second baseman Rylan Lujo is the Bulldogs’ key player to watch. The sophomore is 10 for 25 with two home runs and nine RBIs over his last seven games, including a 3-for-4, five-RBI performance with a homer against LSU.

Auburn counters with right-hander Marcel Kulik, who has been sharp in relief. The senior has not allowed a hit or earned run across 4 2/3 innings over his last three appearances, striking out eight.

The Tigers are coming off a 4-1 loss at Jacksonville State on Tuesday. Auburn has split its last four games.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Georgia is projected to win 8-6, with the Bulldogs given a 52.30 percent probability.

The series continues Friday and Saturday, both at Auburn.