Tennessee vs LSU Odds
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| +220 | 9.5 +108 / -144 | +1.5 +116 |
| LSU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| -295 | 9.5 +108 / -144 | -1.5 -152 |
Three SEC teams made it to the College World Series, as Tennessee and LSU are set to renew their rivalry in Bracket 2.
These teams met in conference play over the weekend of March 30, with LSU taking two games of the three-game series at home in Alex Box Stadium.
National Player of the Year Paul Skenes threw seven innings, collecting one earned run and a whopping 12 strikeouts against the Volunteers. Ty Floyd didn’t fare as well against Tennessee, allowing four earned in six innings.
The key to this game is the starting pitcher for LSU, as the bullpen has been a consistent issue for the Tigers this season.
The good news for LSU is that it has an offense led by MLB-bound Dylan Crews.
Dylan Crews lives for the bright lights of the big stage!#RoadToOmaha x 🎥 ESPN2 / @LSUbaseballpic.twitter.com/bs6H8XdotO
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 12, 2023
Crews has reached base in all 63 LSU games this season. Any attempt to pitch around the lead-off hitter has turned into plenty of RBI opportunities for third baseman Tommy White and first baseman Tre’ Morgan.
Tennessee has plenty of fireballers of its own, as Chase Dollander and Andrew Lindsey have each faced this Tigers lineup. Both are capable of starting here, with Lindsey taking Friday openers and Dollander taking Saturdays through the end of SEC play.
There's a distinct possibility that Tennessee elects to save both arms if Skenes is announced for the opening game.
Outside of having Skenes, the pitching is clearly in favor of the Volunteers. Head coach Tony Vitello has the second-best staff in ERA and strikeout-to-walk ratio nationally.
Both teams have similar fielding ranks, an important element considering Tennessee made contact with a half-dozen hits earlier this season.
The opening number is inflated for LSU even if Skenes is named the starter. The ace for LSU projects -140 against Dollander and -125 against Lindsey.
