After a wild weekend of regionals that had it all — blowouts, upsets, comebacks, walk-offs and a plethora of homers — we get to do it all again this weekend.
The Super Regionals are here, and the final 16 teams will battle for a ticket to Omaha. So, let's get this party started and dive into my best bets for Friday's slate.
Texas vs. East Carolina
12 p.m. ET · ESPN2
The beauty of Super Regionals is that they're very similar to weekend series in the regular season, so pitching matchups are much more predictable.
Since it's Friday, we know both teams are likely to turn to their aces. However, that instantly favors the Longhorns as Pete Hansen takes the mound.
Hansen has been phenomenal this season. He'll enter with an 11-1 record, a 3.08 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. The Longhorns' ace was solid against Air Force in the Regional opener, working into the seventh inning, allowing three runs and striking out five.
However, Hansen must be wary of Zach Aganos and Bryce Worrell. They powered the Pirates through their Regional with fiery play in the field and sweet strokes at the plate. Both of them are not only supremely talented, but they're fire-starters with infectious energy.
As for the Pirates, they're not a starter-heavy staff. Instead, they have a great bullpen highlighted by Stopper of the Year nominee Carter Spivey.
Although, before we see Spivey, the ball will likely be handed to C.J. Mayhue, who was impressive against a stout Virginia lineup. However, he and the Pirates staff will be up for their tallest task yet as the Longhorns can mash.
Texas is hitting .317 as a team and has smashed 118 homers — 30 of which have come from Ivan "The Hispanic Titanic" Melendez, who is also batting .404 on the year.
I understand the respect that ECU deserves, but the Longhorns should be much heavier favorites with their ace on the mound.
Pick: Texas -165
Louisville vs. Texas A&M
8:30 p.m. ET · ESPNU
It was not an easy Regional for the Cardinals, as they had to battle Michigan to the very end. Their reward is a weekend in College Station.
The 12th man will be out and will make its presence felt in severe heat. It will be 101 degrees in College Station on Friday and the temperature will only increase as the weekend progresses. So, Louisville already has two hurdles before you even consider the team it's up against.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, they hand the ball to ace Jared Poland. Poland was roughed up by Michigan in Regionals but was very solid in the regular season, shutting down some of the ACC's best in Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Virginia and Florida State.
He'll face a red-hot Aggies team that bashed its way through Regionals, outscoring opponents, 32-17, this past weekend.
The disparity in this matchup comes when the Cardinals are up to bat as their lineup will have the edge over Nathan Dettmer or Micah Dallas.
Dallas was outstanding in his past two starts, but prior to that, he'd allowed three runs or more in six straight starts. As for Dettmer, he was hit hard by Louisiana in his Regionals outing, giving up six runs on nine hits.
The Cardinals will make either of them pay for their mistakes. Louisville hit .309 this year and smacked 94 homers. One more edge for Louisville is its speed. The Cardinals stole 103 bags, as Levi Usher led the team with 36.
While it's certainly not the easiest road environment, the Cardinals will have the edge on the diamond behind their ace.
Pick: Louisville -115 (Play to -145)
