Auburn Regional Odds
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Check out Collin Wilson's full NCAA Baseball Tournament betting preview with bets for all 16 Regionals here.
Game 1: Southern Miss (41-17) vs. Samford (36-23) · 2 p.m. ET Friday · ESPN+
Game 2: Auburn (34-21-1) vs. Penn (32-14) · 7 p.m. ET Friday · ESPN+
Southern Miss has made the postseason 19 times since 1990 with only a single trip to Omaha on the resume. This version of the Golden Eagles is the most upperclassman-dominant yet thanks to COVID-19 rules and the extra season of play.
Head coach Scott Berry won the Sun Belt Tournament and now looks to steal a Regional at Auburn with an excellent pitching staff.
Samford comes to Auburn with a SoCon Tournament title but a poor 11-17 record away from home. John Anderson has mashed 22 home runs for the Bulldogs, but there may be no larger difference in pitching on Friday between Southern Miss and Samford.
Tanner Hall may get the start for Southern Miss, but he'll more than likely be held for Auburn, while Billy Oldham could go on Friday.
The formula for Samford is much easier: Get enough innings out of Jacob Cravey to reach the staff cornerstone in closer Ben Petschke. Depending on the starting pitcher, Southern Miss projects -150 to -180 in the opener.
Penn will have the tough task of brining a struggling offense to an SEC venue. There's a high probability Auburn will look to Tommy Vail in the opener, saving Chase Allsup for a potential Southern Miss game on Saturday.
Auburn projects at 12 runs in the opener, but there are historical reasons to look for overs at Plainsman Park. The Tigers have averaged 13% more runs per game at home than on the road in conference play over the past two seasons.
If Hall is saved for Saturday, Southern Miss is a slight favorite over Auburn. Equipped with a lower staff and bullpen ERA, FIP and xFIP, the Golden Eagles are primed for a Regional upset. Closer Justin Storm is certainly the difference, posting 59 strikeouts in just 35.2 innings with eight saves on the season.
- Series: Southern Miss +165
- Game 1: Samford Run Line (if no Tanner Hall for Southern Miss)
- Game 2: Auburn vs. Penn Over 12 or Better
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