Heading into the final series of the regular season, TCU carries a 4.22 earned-run average that would be almost twice as high as the best pitching seasons in Fort Worth under coach Jim Schlossnagle.

But he expects performances to sharpen as postseason play nears, thanks in part to the structure of the playoffs.

“It’s funny how in the postseason, your depth of pitching becomes less important the deeper you play,” Schlossnagle said. “The conference tournament tests your depth of pitching a little more than a regional, and a regional tests your depth of pitching more than a Super Regional. And in Omaha, if you stay in the winner’s bracket, you’re fine. We just have to keep working toward that.”

Schlossnagle said starters Nick Lodolo and Brian Howard and relievers Charles King and Sean Wymer are pitching well with the start of the Big 12 tournament less than a week away.

“I think Lodolo is pitching fine. I think Charles King is pitching great. I think Wymer’s pitching great,” Schlossnagle said. “Brian Howard, the first five innings Saturday (at Oklahoma) were the best he’s ever pitched at TCU. And then he walked two guys and it got away from him.”

Thursday night’s series opener at Cal marked the scheduled return of Jared Janczak (6-0, 2.25), who has missed four starts with a shoulder strain. Lodolo is a candidate to pitch behind Janczak, who will be on a limited outing.