The focus will be on the starting pitchers. North Carolina's Andrew Miller (12-2/2.26) was the fourth player taken in Tuesday's draft. There had been speculation that the lefty would go first overall. He has a low-mid 90s fastball and a devastating slider. His teammate Daniel Bard (8-3/3.47) also went in the first round Tuesday, going 28th to Boston. The righthanded Bard might have better stuff than Miller but has not been as consistent. Junior Robert Woodard (6-1/3.48) completed his third season as a Tar Heel stalwart. Woodard is 18-3 in his career.

Alabama is one of the few teams that might be able to hang with the Tar Heels' starters. Lefthander Wade LeBlanc (11-0/2.62) went in the second round Tuesday to San Diego. Opponents are hitting just .202 against LeBlanc. Freshman Tommy Hunter (10-3/3.10) might have been Alabama's best pitcher down the stretch. Hunter looks more like a defensive lineman than a pitcher - not a guy likely to be charged by a batter - and is a very emotional pitcher. Third starter Bernard Robert (8-6/4.72) is a solid inning-eater who keeps his team close.

Both teams have some options in the bullpen.For UNC, Jonathan Hovis (7-2/1.32/2 svs) has appeared in 32 games with opponents hitting just .186 against him. Andrew Carignan (1-3/3.03/13 svs) is a sneaky fast one-inning closer (.146 BA against). Matt Danford (6-1/4.84) is another pitcher who will see action.

Alabama has David Robertson (4-3/2.60/10 svs), a flame-throwing righty drafted by the Yankees in the 18th round despite being just a sophomore (draft-eligible since he is 21). Two more hard-throwing righties, Jake McCarter (6-1/2.32) and Jordan Davis (1-3/4.89) are the other bullpen options.

North Carolina has the better offensive club hitting .323 as a team with 73 home runs. Shortstop Josh Horton (.409/6/52), outfielder Jay Cox (.386/13/55), and first baseman Chad Flack (.377/11/60) lead a balanced lineup. The Tar Heels will run some too, with 87 steals in 120 attempts.

Alabama is led by junior centerfielder Emeel Salem (.364/2/32/36 sbs) and senior catcher Kody Valverde (.346/12/59). Valverde was the Tuscaloosa Regional MVP hitting a grand slam Friday, getting a walkoff RBI single Saturday, and going 5-6 Sunday. Both were tenth round picks Tuesday.

Oddly enough, the key for both teams is staying patient at the plate. Miller has not thrown a complete game all season so Alabama wants to push his pitch count early and take their chances with the pen. A similar strategy should be used with Bard who has struggled at times with control. Woodard walks no one, so Alabama will need to be aggressive against him

North Carolina will see an abundance of changeups from LeBlanc, especially to righthanded hitters. LeBlanc will challenge hitters up in the zone so UNC has to take advantage of those opportunities with some extra base hits. Hunter has good velocity and a plus breaking ball. UNC has to make him work and take advantage of the few opportunties because Hunter does a great job of pitching out of trouble. Robert doesn't have the kind of stuff the other starters have but pitches backwards with offspeed setting up his fastball.

Alabama is tough at home. They have a veteran lineup that has done a great job of getting the clutch hit when they need it. They've faced good pitchers before and managed some production. North Carolina need their offense to win the series since the pitching looks like a wash.