Haymarket Park is about to become Cesar's Palace, if only for a day. Julius Caesar is regarded by some as the greatest man of all time, a splendid orator and leader of men. No word on his pitching prowess.

Miami junior Cesar Carrillo is regarded as the best pitcher in this weekend's best-of-three super regional in Lincoln.

Julius Caesar appealed to the masses and threatened the security of the Roman Nobility.

Cesar Carrillo, the Hurricanes' ace right-hander, looms as a threat to create unrest in Husker Nation with his 97 mph fastball.

Go on my friend, and fear nothing; you carry Caesar and his fortune on your boat — Caesar.

Now this:

Go on young Hurricanes, and fear nothing; you carry Cesar and his fortune in your dugout.

Kind of catchy.

Only it's not that simple.

Miami (41-17-1) has reason for trepidation as it begins its super regional crusade at noon today at Haymarket Park. Foremost, the Hurricanes must slow a Nebraska team that has captured eight straight postseason games since losing in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.

The Huskers (54-13) are burgeoning with confidence, and it doesn't hurt that they're 31-4 this season at Haymarket.

Yet don't be surprised when Cesar of Miami pulls off a palace coup today.

And don't be surprised if Nebraska successfully runs the invaders out of Dodge with triumphs Saturday and Sunday.

Miami has the best pitcher; Nebraska is the better team, top to bottom.

Men willingly believe what they wish — Caesar.

Nebraska seems to believe wholeheartedly in its quest to return to the College World Series.

Husker fans will take Haymarket by storm this weekend, then hope to move their mission to Omaha next week. Onward and eastward. With one delay.

Carrillo rolled into Lincoln on Wednesday night, a 6-foot-3, 177-pound Chicago native with flowing brown hair, a chiseled jaw and a fastball that'll make your face twitch.

The No. 18 pick overall in this week's Major League Draft (by the San Diego Padres), Carrillo is 13-2 with a 2.22 earned run average. He has 120 strikeouts in 117.2 innings.

Nebraska has struggled this season against flame-throwers and will struggle again today.

In two games against hard-throwing Baylor righty Mark McCormick, Nebraska managed two runs and seven hits in 12 2/3 innings.

Missouri's Max Scherzer used a 95 mph fastball to go the distance against Nebraska, allowing one run and four hits.

Nebraska counters Carrillo with Joba Chamberlain, who's lasted less than six innings in three of five appearances since May 6.  

If nothing else, the best two-out-of-three format will make for grand theater.

Tension will be as thick as the damp June air.

It'll make the Huskers' Super Regional triumph feel that much more satisfying.

After Carrillo, Miami's starting pitching descends precipitously, leaving Nebraska and its well-stocked pitching cupboard with a series edge. The Huskers' team ERA of 2.62 compares to the Hurricanes' 4.19.

Nebraska's offense, inconsistent much of the season, is hitting at a .346 clip during the postseason. The Huskers feel good about themselves as it is; the marked home-field advantage adds to the positive vibe.

Retaining its swagger, however, will be especially critical if Nebraska indeed loses today.

Miami will look for weakness and seize upon it.

All season, Nebraska coach Mike Anderson has placed a premium on building confidence in his clubhouse, and his diligence could pay off handsomely this weekend.

"I felt like last year's team was a good team," Anderson has said. "But we couldn't create enough confidence. We had some kids who got pretty down, and when we lost a few games, they got even more down."

Nebraska missed out on the NCAA party last season after falling hard in the regional finale in 2003. But the Huskers never dropped more than two in a row this season and blitzed through the four-team regional undefeated.

Even so, Anderson said, his focus this week has been to nudge his players' confidence to yet another level.

After all, Miami is regarded as a giant in college baseball history. The perennial NCAA qualifier won't be easily rattled.

Nebraska's first task may be the toughest: Staring down the flame-thrower.

I came, I saw, I conquered — Caesar.

OK, so Cesar Carrillo and Co. likely will emerge this afternoon as conquerors of Haymarket.

But their fun will last only a day.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.