AP Sports Preview: Oklahoma at Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. (Interstat) — The Kansas Jayhawks (45-16) host the Oklahoma Sooners (36-22) on Saturday at 7 p.m. in a pivotal nonconference baseball clash at Hoglund Ballpark.

Kansas enters on a five-game winning streak, fueled by a powerful offense that has averaged 9.2 runs during that stretch. The Jayhawks are coming off a 13-10 victory at Arkansas on May 31, when shortstop Tyson LeBlanc went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. LeBlanc has been scorching hot over his past six games: he has homered in five of those contests and driven in 15 runs, including a 3-for-5, five-RBI performance against Oklahoma State on May 22. For the season, LeBlanc is hitting .356 with 18 home runs and leads the team in slugging percentage.

Oklahoma, meanwhile, is 7-3 over its past 10 games and looking to build on a dramatic 8-7 walk-off win over Georgia Tech on Monday. In that game, right-hander Jackson Cleveland threw 3⅔ scoreless innings of relief, allowing no hits and striking out four. Cleveland’s consistency has been a key for the Sooners bullpen: in his last two appearances — both against Georgia Tech — he has logged six shutout innings with eight strikeouts and just one hit allowed. His season ERA is 3.12, and he has emerged as a reliable high-leverage arm.

The Sooners’ offense is led by shortstop Jaxon Willits (.329, 10 HR) and catcher Deiten Lachance (.288, 14 HR), who combined for five RBIs in Monday’s win. Oklahoma has also shown resilience on the road, splitting a four-game series at Arkansas earlier this month.

Kansas counters with a deep lineup. First baseman Josh Dykhoff (.310, 12 HR) and second baseman Dariel Osoria (.301, 9 HR) both homered in the win at Arkansas. The Jayhawks have won 16 of their last 20 at home.

Interstat’s ELO system projects Oklahoma with a 52% probability to win, but oddsmakers have installed Kansas as a -1.5-run favorite, reflecting the Jayhawks’ superior record and home-field advantage.

Key matchup: Cleveland’s ability to neutralize LeBlanc and the heart of Kansas’ order could determine whether the Sooners overcome the spread. The Jayhawks have averaged 7.3 runs per game at home, while Oklahoma’s bullpen has posted a 3.84 ERA in June.

Saturday’s game marks the first meeting between these programs since 2022. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central.