Santa Barbara Regional Odds
 | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | +135 |
 | San Diego Toreros | +250 |
 | Oregon Ducks | +250 |
 | Fresno State Bulldogs | +1000 |
With an RPI that finished 13th in Division I, UC Santa Barbara will play the role of Regional host nearly a decade after making the program's only trip to Omaha.
The Gauchos will enter Regionals for the 15th time, looking to recapture the 2016 magic that brought their only Regional and Super Regional victory.
The weakness of the Pac-12 contributed to UC Santa Barbara's position as the home team in Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.
Put ‘em in the ring 🥊
9 punch outs for Ryan Gallagher with another 1-2-3 inning to keep Bakersfield off the board.B5 | Gauchos 1 – Roadrunners 0 #GoChospic.twitter.com/1ozWdD0KUd
— UC Santa Barbara Baseball (@UCSB_Baseball) May 11, 2024
The Gauchos have a loaded pitching staff, from anchor Ryan Gallagher to former ace-turned-closer Matt Ager. The team will go only as far as the pitching, a common denominator with the other teams traveling via the Pacific Coast Highway.
San Diego also slipped inside the RPI top 20, flashing similar numbers from the staff with one of the best defensive rankings in Division I.
The Toreros made it count against tough competition, taking a series over Arizona with other wins over Texas and Dallas Baptist. San Diego enters the Regional having lost just one game since April 14.
The Power 5 team in the pod is Oregon, which has been relegated to the third seed. The Ducks were average against Quad I and Quad II teams, going 12-7 in road games this season. Although the RPI dipped outside the top 50, victories over Oklahoma and Grand Canyon contributed to a postseason appearance.
Starters RJ Gordon and Kevin Seitter enter with FIPs above 6, while closer Logan Mercado has an xFIP over 5.
The player to watch on offense is first baseman Jacob Walsh, who leads the team in home runs with 120 total bases on the season.
Gallagher draws the heaviest price of any pitcher in this region, projecting UC Santa Barbara as a favorite of -135 or better against the top options from San Diego and Oregon.
Mike Gutierrez is the second option for the Gauchos, also projecting as a small favorite over all options that the Toreros and Ducks can present. Look to take the Regional host through -115.
Pick: UC Santa Barbara -115 or Better
Read Collin Wilson's full college baseball betting preview for the 2024 NCAA Regionals here.
