Tennessee vs. Notre Dame Odds
Tennessee vs. Notre Dame Probable Pitchers & Projections
- Friday: John Michael Bertrand (Notre Dame) vs. Blade Tidwell (Tennessee) | Tennessee -460 · Total: 11
- Saturday: Chase Dollander (Tennessee) vs. Austin Temple (Notre Dame) | Tennessee -1000 · Total 11
- Sunday (if needed): Will Sandy (Notre Dame) vs. Drew Beam (Tennessee) | Tennessee -840 · Total 12.2
Snubbed by the NCAA selection committee in hosting a Regional in South Bend, Notre Dame made quick work of the Statesboro Regional.
John Michael Bertrand started both Friday and Sunday against Texas Tech. The biggest impact came in the Regional final, as he allowed just a single earned run and no walks in 7.2 innings.
Posting 133 pitches in those two games is not unusual for Bertrand. He also threw 130 in an April 8 game against Clemson. The lefty is the most important piece to an Irish staff that ranks top-10 in ERA and WHIP nationally.
There’s the possibility Bertrand starts Friday with a pitch limit, saving his arm for a potential Sunday finale. The fifth-year senior represents the Irish's best chance to steal a victory in Knoxville after an anemic offense scored just 11 total runs in three games to win in Statesboro.
Tennessee — the best team in the nation — won three straight to host a Super Regional, but there was no lack of drama on the weekend. Campbell held the lead Saturday until the Tennessee bats rattled off seven runs in two innings.
The Camels were undeterred, posting enough runs to achieve the upset until the Volunteers threw up four runs in the ninth against Ryan Chasse.
While Chase Dollander leads Tennessee in total wins for the season, Campbell chased the pitcher out in the third inning. Georgia Tech had similar success Sunday, taking a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning before Tennessee rattled off six runs against the Yellow Jackets’ closer.
Tennessee scored 10 of its 31 runs in just two ninth-inning frames, making the Volunteers a great live bet heading into the Supers against Notre Dame.
No clock in baseball for a reason! Never. Stop. Fighting.#GBO // #OTHpic.twitter.com/ZCF29WZkU1
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) June 6, 2022
Unlike the Notre Dame staff, Tennessee is loaded with starting pitching thanks to the return of Blade Tidwell. Projected Sunday starter Drew Beam led the team in innings pitched, while fellow freshman Chase Burns led the staff in strikeouts.
Wherever any of the three starters have a shaky opener, Burns will serve in relief — much as he did in the SEC Tournament and for Tidwell in the Regional opener against Campbell.
The single game projections for Tennessee are -800 or better in any game Notre Dame doesn’t throw Bertrand. Based on projections, Tennessee has a 78% chance to close this out in two games and a 70% to end it in three.
The Volunteers have 96.5% chance of advancing, making the current posted number at DraftKings playable through -800.
Considering the scoring issues for Notre Dame, the only play on the Irish will be an inflated underdog line when Bertrand takes the hill. Look for Bertrand to be named starter on Friday against Tidwell or Burns before firing on the first game of the series, as Monday’s usage may push the ace to Saturday.
Also, look for live in-game odds on Tennessee after a weekend of plating 10 runs in the ninth inning.
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Picks: Tennessee -380 · Tennessee -1.5 Series · Notre Dame (Bertrand) +300 or Better
