We could not have asked for a better first weekend of games in the College World Series. But the great thing is it will continue today. We have two marquee matchups featuring four of the country's best teams in Tennessee vs. Stanford and LSU vs. Wake Forest.
I can't wait for today's action, so let's not waste any more time and dive into today's best bets.
Tennessee vs. Stanford Odds
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -145 | 10 +100 / -130 | -1.5 +110 |
| Stanford Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
+115 | 10 +100 / -130 | +1.5 -140 |
Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols had a tough draw in this College World Series, as they were forced to contend with LSU's Paul Skenes in their opening game. However, while Skenes dominated them for the first seven innings, Tennessee's bats came to life immediately after he left the game.
Tennessee put together solid at-bats against the LSU bullpen and will need to carry that momentum over into today's matchup as it faces another elite ace.
Quinn Mathews will take the ball for Stanford seven days after his 156-pitch complete game in the Super Regionals against Texas. This drew much criticism, but it shows the type of effort he's willing to give to help his team win.
That type of outing is highly unlikely this afternoon, but we could see Mathews work deep again as he's thrown over 110 pitches in 14 of his 18 appearances this season.
Tennessee has the potential to get to him as the game progresses. The Vols have had much better at-bats the second and third times through the order.
However, the biggest concern for the Cardinal has to be the arms after Mathews. Stanford has a staff ERA of 5.75, which includes Mathews' 3.60 ERA (best on the team).
The Cardinal bullpen is a big question mark, and that could determine their team's fate in this matchup. Although, as we've seen, Mathews will try and minimize the bullpen's involvement.
Stanford Cardinal
Despite dropping its first matchup, this Stanford lineup should have its heads up for this game after finding plenty of success against the ACC Pitcher of the Year in Wake Forest's Rhett Lowder. The Cardinal got to him early and put runs on the board before he settled down.
Stanford will have the opportunity to do the same today against Chase Dollander. Dollander has been electric for the Vols and is a consensus top-10 MLB Draft pick. However, he has been susceptible in the early going.
Dollander boasts a 4.50 ERA on the season, and the majority of the damage done against him has come in the first two innings. He's been tremendous at closing that window, though, as he gets stronger the deeper he goes into his outing.
The Cardinal, who have an SEC-type lineup, will have their hands full with a legit SEC arm.
However, Dollander may not be the only great arm they'll have to contend with. Chase Burns will be fresh for this one as well, and he has the potential to close out the final three innings of this game.
Tennessee vs. Stanford Betting Pick
This matchup is another example of how tremendous the field is this year. Mathews and Dollander are going to duel deep into this game, and while they each may have some hiccups along the way, they both have shown they can minimize the damage.
Take the under and enjoy this classic pitcher's duel.
Pick: Under 10 (Play to 9)
LSU vs. Wake Forest Odds
| LSU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| +135 | 10.5 -110 / -120 | +1.5 -140 |
| Wake Forest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
-165 | 10.5 -110 / -120 | -1.5 +110 |
LSU Tigers
LSU earned an opening-game victory over Tennessee as Paul Skenes shut down the Vols' lineup. However, the Tigers also gave him solid run support, and this top-three offense will need to stay hot tonight.
That will be much easier said than done against Wake Forest's Josh Hartle. Hartle took a massive step forward this season and became one of the more dominant pitchers in the country.
He enters this start with a 2.28 ERA and has racked up 131 strikeouts over 86 innings pitched. While the lefty has struggled over his last three starts, his 1.89 SIERA points to him bouncing back.
It's important to note that Hartle is a dominant left-hander, and LSU has struggled against left-handed pitching this season. There isn't much data to show their issues, but in their last three games against left-handed starters, the Tigers failed to score more than four runs — half of what they average on a per-game basis.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The Demon Deacons came into Omaha with a ton of hype, and with that hype comes pressure.
Their potent lineup was shut down for the better half of the game against Stanford, and while credit must be given to Joey Dixon, we should expect them to be looser in this one.
Dixon's success against the Deacs came by keeping them off balance with his off-speed stuff. However, LSU's Ty Floyd has a very different repertoire.
Floyd is going to attack this Wake lineup with his mid- to upper-90s fastball and mix in his curveball. Floyd's command of his breaking ball has been shaky at times, though, and that will put him in a bad spot against this Wake lineup.
The Demon Deacons should be able to hunt his fastball, and they could turn those pitches around with authority. Over 57% of Floyd's outs have come via the fly ball, and if Wake makes loud contact, we could see those fly balls carry over the wall.
LSU vs. Wake Forest Betting Pick
This is an epic matchup. The only two teams that have been ranked No.1 this season will finally face off.
However, one side has a clear path to prove it is the top team in the nation.
LSU's struggles against lefties are valid, and it's facing one of the most dominant left-handers in the country who's primed for a good outing.
On the other side, this Wake lineup will have a much more relaxed and simple approach at the plate tonight. We should see them hunt and turn around fastballs frequently.
Back the Demon Deacons to move on to the semifinals.
Pick: Wake Forest -150 (Play to -200)
