We're just a day away from the field of 64 NCAA baseball teams being announced for postseason tournament, but there's still plenty of work to be done and tickets that need to be punched. Bottom line, conference championship week has been absolutely electric.
The ACC and the Pac-12 tournaments provided some of the best moments of the entire season over the last few days, and it has me chomping at the bit for most postseason action.
The conclusion of these power conference tournaments is pitting some of the best teams in the country against each another, so I have a couple of best bets from the games on Sunday's championship card.
That said, let's take a look to see where we can find some betting value.
Texas vs. Oklahoma (6 p.m. ET)
It shouldn't be a surprise that the Longhorns are in the Big 12 championship game. They have sluggled their way through the tournament and bounced back immediately by trading blowouts with Oklahoma State. However, their opponents in this one are a bit of a surprise.
The Sooners are undefeated in the competition, as they took down West Virginia, upset Texas Tech and dispatched of a pesky Kansas State team to reach this point. Entering the tournament, Oklahoma's path to victory was to outscore its opposition. Well, the staff has shown up as well. The pitchers held an explosive Texas Tech lineup to three runs, then got a 10-strikeout performance from David Sandlin against the Wildcats.
Unfortunately, they are running into a buzzsaw in the Longhorns. Texas' offense broke out in a big way after getting beat by the Cowboys. Now, the team hopes to carry that momentum behind two of their best pitchers.
While it does seem a bit peculiar, ace Pete Hansen and Lucas Gordon are listed as probable starters on the Texas game guide. They each pitched in the first two games of the tournament, and if the guide is correct, they might even piggyback off each other to stay fresh until regionals next week.
Whether we see either of them will only be a boost since Oklahoma is essentially out of pitching and was not a great staff to begin with as well. Texas should roll, with the bats will carry them to the title.
Oregon State vs. Stanford (10 p.m. ET)
It's the matchup we've all been waiting for since the Pac-12 tourney was set in motion. However, it might not be the game we all want it to be.
Oregon State just played the game of the year against UCLA in Saturday's first meeting between the programs. If you missed it, here's how it went:
Well, that game had it all.
⚾ 47 combined runs
⚾ 53 combined hits
⚾ 527 pitches thrown by 16 pitchers
⚾ Time of game: 5 hours, 44 minutes
⚾ 9-run, 9th inning comeback by UCLA
⚾ game-tying balk in extras
⚾ Walk-off three-run HR from Tommy Beres#GoBruinspic.twitter.com/1DNIqQO33O— UCLA Baseball (@UCLABaseball) May 29, 2022
Then, the teams had to play each other again 45 minutes after that game ended, which was exciting as well. However, this time, the Beavers mounted a ninth-inning comeback and won it on a Jacob Melton walk-off hit.
As for the Cardinal, it played a tight game against Arizona on Saturday, but was in control for the majority of it and it's in much better shape than the Oregon State. Plus, just like the Longhorns, Stanford could very well use ace Alex Williams for a couple innings, as it looks to keep him fresh before regionals.
In the end, I don't see how Oregon State gets up to play this game. Not to mention Stanford is red-hot, winning 15 consecutive games entering the championship game.
Let's not forget the Cardinal took the series during the regular season and is in a great spot to take three of four from the Beavers.
Pick: Stanford ML (-115)
