Odds to win College Baseball World Series at BetMGM

Tennessee +250
Texas A&M +350
Kentucky +450
North Carolina +700
Florida State +750
Virginia +1000
NC State +1000
Florida +1400

Let’s take a look at the two different brackets, with the winner from each moving on to the championship series.

Bracket 1
Game 1: North Carolina vs. Virginia, June 14, 1:00 p.m.
Game 2: Tennessee vs. Florida State, June 14, 6:00 p.m.

Bracket 2
Game 1: Kentucky vs. North Carolina State, June 15, 1:00 p.m.
Game 2: Texas A&M vs. Florida, June 15, 6:00 p.m.

Bracket 1 Breakdown

Bettors analyzing this bracket are going to deal with the chatter of an angel on one shoulder and the pessimism of the devil on the other.

The Volunteers’ powerful offense led the nation with 173 home runs. They have scored close to 11 runs per game so far during the tournament. Of course you want to back a team with Billy Amick in the lineup.

The other voice is going to stress that the top seeded team in this tournament has won it all only once (Miami), and Tony Vitello’s club has a recent history of lofty expectations falling short. Also, as good as Tennessee is offensively, the pitching staff has some issues.

CWS veteran Drew Beam hasn’t had a good tournament so far. He failed to make it past four innings against Indiana and got touched up by the Purple Aces. Chris Stamos, used as an opener, has also struggled during tournament play. Most of the innings should then fall to AJ Causey, the team’s top bullpen option with 117 strikeouts this season.

Back to that voice saying positive things about the Vols — in the opening game, they are playing Florida State, a team that also looks to win via the bats. The 5-0 Seminoles come into Game 1 after sweeping Connecticut. They also like the long ball and have hit 123 home runs—a great number, but still 50 fewer than their Game 1 foe.

Based on how well FSU has played, and ACC player of the year James Tibbs III heating up, the 9-1 price range out there is one I want to recommend. However, I can’t do that since FSU is likely moving straight to the losers bracket.

From a futures standpoint, I would stay away from either team. For those who think FSU can keep the hot tournament play going, take them at +140 at DraftKings for Game 1.

If the Noles at 9-1 win the College World Series, it will most likely take a Game 1 win against Tennessee to do. Indications from Link Jarrett is that fireballing lefty Jamie Arnold will start the game.

For those wishing to sing Rocky Top in a few weeks, look to pair the Vols with another team on the other side of the bracket for a championship series appearance parlay. It creates a ticket with a higher payout and might allow for the chance to monetize.

There is a futures play with value in mind for another team in Bracket 1. That is UNC, available to futures bettors in the 7-1 range. The Diamond Heels open up against familiar ACC foe Virginia. UVA taking two of three earlier in the year against UNC means little in this new context.

While both teams are able to put up runs, UNC has possibly the best pitching staff in the tournament. They led the ACC with a 4.22 ERA and have, on average, given up just less than 5 runs during their tournament games. If the trend of lower-scoring CWS games continues, a ticket with pitching in mind is somewhat of a value-laden contrarian play.

Freshman ace Jason DeCaro (6.1 IP, 1 R) was strong against West Virginia in his last outing. No. 2 starter Shea Sprague is effective from the left side. Pitching from DeCaro is what UNC, the favorite, will need to beat the ACC’s top offensive team. UVA has gotten a boost on the mound from righty Jay Woolfolk of late.

Another reason to consider a Diamond Heels future play is star outfielder Vance Honeycutt’s ability to deliver in the clutch. That is exactly what he did with a walkoff home run against WVU in the Chapel Hill Super Regional. A UNC ticket might be valuable insurance for those who previously backed Tennessee in the futures market.

Playing them at -140 (DraftKings) on the ML against UVA is based on the importance of pitching in Omaha.

Bracket 2 Breakdown

Keeping the pitching theme going, NC State used it, particularly from starter Sam Highfill and reliever Andrew Shaffner, to help pull off the upset in the Athens Super Regional.

Offensively, the veteran Wolfpack are led by Alec Makarewicz, who so far during the NCAA tournament is hitting .414. They also have Jacob Cozart, often referred to as the best catcher in the country. In Game 1, NC State faces Kentucky in the Wildcats first ever CWS appearance.

Both teams are similar qualitatively (neither is particularly dominant in one area) and quantitatively. NC State’s team batting average of .289 is just slightly better than UK’s .287. Same with slugging percentages of .496 for Kentucky and .495 for the Pack. There is not much difference in runs per game as well — 8.0 for UK and 7.7 for NC State.

The biggest factor separating these two is UK’s ability to steal bases. On average they steal two bags a game and will challenge Cozart whenever a runner gets on. On the mound, the advantage goes to the Wildcats who will likely start Trey Pooser in Game 1.

I don’t see much value with either team futures wise. However I do like Kentucky on the ML (-145 DraftKings) because of Pooser.

Kentucky’s ability to manufacture runs should come into play when the other power-hitting teams feel like the outfield walls keep getting further away as the wind picks up.

Even without Montgomery and their raucous fans filling the stands, Texas A&M should still be the favorite.

The Aggies led the nation in drawing walks and are Top 10 nationally in both home runs and slugging percentage. Jace LaViolette and his 28 homers will be the focus of the offense with Montgomery on the shelf.

On the mound the Aggies rely on Evan Aschenbeck, the best reliever in Omaha with his sub 2.00 ERA. Texas A&M’s bullpen is now vital to the team’s chances since they will be without lefty starter Shane Sdao who is out with an injury.

In Game 1, the Aggies will face Florida who will counter with Jac Caglianone and momentum. The Gators’ stud lefty power threat is the main reason they went from underdogs in Stillwater and Clemson to making it to Omaha.

Based on their pedigree and hot play, bettors may be intrigued by their 13-1 longshot status. If that is you, look instead to play them on ML (+150 DraftKings) per game rather than locking into a win-it-all ticket.

The Gators rely heavily upon multiple freshman pitchers.

Bettors should not feel required to purchase a futures ticket on an underdog before the College World Series starts. The tournament format leads to a championship series where books will once again post a team with a plus number – less ROI, but also less risk.

Regardless of how long Florida can hang around in Omaha, its appearance there should be noteworthy for all types of bettors.

The Gators mediocre regular season record earned them the ninth seed in the SEC tournament, and a surprise to some, an at-large NCAA tournament berth. In the new era of consolidated Super Super Major Power Conferences, how we view regular season records in relation to postseason potential must change. When all the top teams in the nation are jammed together in only a few conferences, even national championship contenders can be buried in the standings.

Square it Up

If a bettor wanted to make just one College World Series wager, even at -195, there is value on the SEC to win. A point I have stressed regarding wagering on college baseball is to be prepared and not afraid to lay plenty of juice.

North Carolina steamrolled its ACC schedule, wrapping up the regular-season title before entering its final conference series with Duke. However, the Tar Heels did lose a couple of series on the schedule, including an early April trip to Charlottesville.

Jason DeCaro, who's projected to start the opening game for North Carolina, previously threw against this Virginia lineup on April 5. The results were unkind for the freshman, as the Cavaliers put up five earned runs in six innings.

Virginia projected starter Evan Blanco also started in the same April contest, lasting into the seventh inning with seven strikeouts and the victory.

The sophomore has been a solid innings-eater for the Virginia staff, throwing at least six innings over his past four starts. Blanco's seven innings to open the Super Regional against Kansas State paid dividends, keeping top bullpen option Chase Hungate fresh for the closing victory over the Wildcats.

The North Carolina bullpen has the advantage in this head-to-head matchup, as the Heels' staff ERA is more than a full run lower than Virginia's. Matthew Matthijs and Dalton Pence have been lights-out for UNC all season, and both will be ready to take the mound in the event DeCaro stumbles in the opener.

Our projection for this game is nearly a coin-flip, with Blanco and the Hoos at -112 against DeCaro and the Heels.

This game will have the highest total of any opener on Friday or Saturday with a projection of 13.

North Carolina is the early favorite in the betting market despite losing to Blanco earlier this season. No matter if the Tar Heels send DeCaro or Shea Sprague to the mound, Virginia should be lined closer to a pick'em.

That gives plenty of value on the run line to a hot and hungry Cavaliers team that has the better offensive numbers.

Pick: Virginia +1.5

There's potential for the No. 1 overall seed to find trouble early.

Tennessee has started weekends with the pitching combination of Chris Stamos and AJ Causey. Head coach Tony Vitello elected to move Causey from a starter to the first option out of the bullpen on the second weekend of April against LSU.

Stamos, a transfer from California, took the role as a starter despite averaging only 1.6 innings per outing. The results have been mixed for Stamos, recording just five outs over two appearances this postseason.

Despite the issues with Stamos as a starter, Causey has been fantastic as the first option out of the bullpen.

The potential to get behind on the scoreboard with Stamos on the mound will impede the probability of beating Florida State ace Jamie Arnold.

The sophomore southpaw has redefined electric, tossing 155 strikeouts in 100 2/3 innings pitched thanks to a devastating slider. The owner of an immaculate inning in the Regionals, Arnold was touched up by a UConn lineup that had previous success against left-handed pitchers.

Arnold projects as a favorite of -130 against the starting combination of Stamos and Causey. If Carson Dorsey is the starter for the Seminoles, the Volunteers would project -140 over Florida State.

With Arnold receiving 80 cents of value over Dorsey, the question remains if Tennessee's power-hitting lineup can smash left-handed pitching.

Evansville saw the tape of LSU's Nate Ackenhausen and Vanderbilt's JD Thompson, two southpaws who shut down the Tennessee offense late in the season.

The Purple Aces sent three consecutive left-handers to the mound in the Super Regionals against the Volunteers. Kenton Deverman, Donovan Schultz and Kevin Reed were blasted for a combined 16 earned runs over 7 1/3 innings. Closer Jakob Meyer, also a left-handed pitcher, was touched up for three earned runs in the series finale as well.

The weather will be of no help in this game, as the forecast calls for winds blowing in directly from left field. The projected total with Arnold on the mound is 12.1, while Dorsey expects to fetch 13.3 in the market.

Considering Tennessee allows early runs with Stamos on the mound and smashes left-handed pitching, take a look at the over.

Pick: Over 10.5

Kentucky's pitching continues to grind opposing offenses into zero production. Oregon State, one of the best hitting teams in the nation, was limited to three total hits over 18 innings in the Lexington Super Regional.

Trey Pooser will take the mound for the Wildcats against an NC State offense that averages 7.7 runs per game. Kentucky is projected at -170 with a total of 12.5 in the opener against the Wolfpack's Sam Highfill.

Pooser will also be backed by one of the best college baseball defenses in Division I.

NC State's season has been full of surprises. Analytically, the Wolfpack are a team that should not be here.

Despite ranking outside the top 50 in nearly every important statistical category, the Pack won season series against Virginia and North Carolina.

Head coach Elliott Avent's squad made quick work of a Raleigh Regional that hosted South Carolina and showed no offensive issues in the Athens Super Regional, putting up 18 runs in the opener against Georgia.

The key for NC State has been its on-base percentage over the past 15 games, ranking 12th out of all teams in Division I.

Kentucky's pitching staff comes down a notch when the starters leave, generating a nearly identical team xFIP as NC State. The Wildcats have struggled to generate offense as much as NC State through the season.

On the other side, Highfill has been excellent of late, holding an explosive Georgia lineup to a single earned run in six innings. The fifth-year senior has also posted a quality start in recent games against Bryant and Virginia.

The weather conditions are suited for a low-scoring game, as double-digit winds are expected with gusts blowing in from right field at 25 mph.

NC State +1.5 (-150) · Under 9.5

The first day of the 2024 College World Series brought something for everyone.

Aided by windy weather, the first game between Virginia and North Carolina was an absolute pitchers' duel that ended with a final score of 3-2 thanks to a walk-off liner by Tar Heels center fielder Vance Honeycutt.

The second proved to be a high-flying slugfest. Despite the windy weather — which actually died down moderately as the game progressed — No. 1 overall seed Tennessee survived an upset bid against Florida State, winning, 12-11, on a walk-off of its own.

The duality of baseball at its peak.

“Certainly, the wind blowing in played a factor for both teams,” Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor said.

Spacious Charles Schwab Field assuredly had an impact on the Cavaliers, who play their home games at the launchpad of Disharoon Park.

The Hoos lead the College World Series field in BaseRuns — an estimate of how many runs a team would be expected to score given their underlying offensive performance — at 9.53 and are one of only two teams in Omaha that own a mark over 9.0 (Texas A&M, 9.25.)

But instead of an offensive explosion, the teams combined for 21 fly balls and went a combined 3-of-18 with runners in scoring position.

“A lot of them were fly balls that would have been [home runs] on any day,” O’Connor said. “I thought [first baseman Henry Ford] squared him up. I thought he drove the baseball, and it just died and didn't reward him.

“You have to make an adjustment as an offensive ballclub, and it's got to be more line drives. Anything in the air just isn't — you're not going to hit it over anybody's head.”

The fly balls ended up benefiting the Tar Heels instead, and closer Dalton Pence — a fly-ball pitcher — took advantage by not allowing a single run or hit in 3 1/3 innings.

Similarly, UNC reliever Matt Poston, who took over in the fifth inning for starter Jason DeCaro, gave up just one run on one hit in 1 2/3 innings.

“They get a lot of fly balls, and that can be a big thing in this park,” North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes said. “A lot of fly balls, and they die here a lot of times.”

The opposite was true in Game 2.

The Seminoles and Volunteers combined for 23 runs on 31 hits and smashed the only three home runs of the day.

That includes Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore crushing a 440-foot dinger on a rope to dead center, where the wall sits at 408.

But Moore did much more than that. He became the second player in Men's College World Series history to hit for the cycle, doing so by the sixth inning. That approach — getting on base and scoring by any means necessary — was key for the Vols.

“We've played in some big parks this year, like the Rangers' stadium down in Texas," said Tennessee first baseman Blake Burke, who picked up a game-tying single in the bottom of the ninth. "We try to find ways to score other than the long ball."

With one game staying well under the total and one flying over, there's at least one key takeaway: Be cognizant of the wind, but don’t let it be the only thing that defines your strategy.

Two seasons ago, an SEC team was the selection committee's last pick to make the postseason. Entering the Hattiesburg Regional with a near .500 record, 3-seed Ole Miss moved on to win the national title.

Fast forward to the present, and the Florida Gators are well on their way to replicating the Rebels' 2022 success.

The Gators have been in reload mode after taking a championship series loss in Omaha a season ago.

The pitching staff entered the season with plenty of underclassmen bringing no experience. Because of the staff's struggles, Florida will never have a mathematical advantage in projections against any opponent.

However, the staff has generated top-35 ranks in xFIP and SIERA over the past 15 games. Another piece of good news comes from mid-March, when the Gators took a series from A&M in Gainesville.

While it would make sense for Texas A&M to send staff ace Ryan Prager to the mound, the Aggies are expected to start Justin Lamkin instead.

Lamkin started one game against Florida in March, allowing two earned runs on four hits and striking out five in 4 2/3 innings. He owns a 5.73 ERA on the season and hasn't made it through four innings in any of his last four starts.

Prager, meanwhile, pitched in Gainesville earlier this season against this lineup, allowing six earned over 2 1/3 innings pitched. Those are similar numbers to Prager's opening game in the College Station Super Regional, as Oregon posted six earned runs in the 1 2/3 innings against the Aggies' ace.

Throw in the recent injury situation that includes a season-ending injury to future first-round MLB Draft pick Braden Montgomery, and the Aggies may have troubles with the pitching staff and lineup.

This game projects to have the worst weather of all openers, with wind gusts reaching 30 mph blowing in from center field. As of writing, that wind direction flips the other way early Sunday morning, indicating that overs are the play when the losers' bracket begins.

Omaha, Neb. — Florida State head coach Link Jarrett will have his toughest assignment of the year on Sunday: saving the 2024 season following a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee.

The Seminoles led by as many as five runs on the Volunteers before a ferocious comeback that featured plenty of errors and questionable calls from the umpires.

If there's a positive from Friday's opener for Florida State, it's that the Seminoles' confidence may be boosted after beating Virginia in a recent ACC Tournament game.

The Cavaliers also suffered a heartbreaking loss to North Carolina, as a ninth-inning comeback stole a victory from starter Evan Blanco, who put up a fantastic performance with only two earned runs and four strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for his sixth quality start of the season.

Head coach Brian O’Connor will now turn to Jay Woolfolk and/or Joe Savino to save the Cavaliers' season.

The Hoos played Florida State just once this season, a knockout loss in the ACC Tournament. Savino was the starter for that game, as the Seminoles tagged the Elon transfer for four earned over 4 2/3 innings.

The most important pieces from the Virginia bullpen were called on against North Carolina, as Chase Hungate and Aidan Teel gave up a combined five earned runs to the Florida State sticks.

Despite the heavy usage, O'Connor hopes the extra rest afforded to teams in the College World Series will help the Cavaliers come Sunday.

"In Omaha, it's so different because you don't play [the day after your game]," O'Connor said. "Guys get a chance to get rejuvenated and things like that. It's going to be important — whoever we play on Sunday — it's going to be important that we get off to a good start."

Carson Dorsey will get the nod for Florida State, meanwhile, projecting as a slight underdog to Savino. Dorsey also pitched in the ACC Tournament against Virginia, giving up four earned runs without recording an out.

The current total for Savino and Dorsey projects at 13.8, and the possibility of Woolfolk pitching for the Cavaliers will bump the projected total to 14.3.

After a brutal Saturday of weather, the wind will shift directions slightly for Sunday, blowing at 15mph from right to left field. Any warning track shots out to left field could produce crooked numbers on the board.

Omaha, Neb. — The victors of Friday’s College World Series opening games are set to share the spotlight during prime time on Father’s Day.

North Carolina took another close game and have won four straight with a run margin of +5 dating back to Regionals against LSU. The late-inning heroics of Vance Honeycutt at the plate were the difference in getting past fellow ACC program Virginia.

On the other side of the bracket, Tennessee was in jeopardy of losing its fifth straight Omaha opener, but an offensive assault against Florida State generated heavy drama.

Christian Moore not only hit for the cycle, but his key double in the ninth inning set the table for Billy Burke to tie the game and Dylan Dreiling to knock in the winning run.

The game's apex came on Burke's at-bat, as he had a controversial check swing with two strikes and two outs.

North Carolina is expected to start Shea Sprague, who averages 4.6 innings per outing. The southpaw played a critical role in the Heels' opening Regional win over LSU but gave up four earned runs in five innings in the Super Regional against West Virginia.

Tennessee will send its best starter in Drew Beam to the mound, as the junior looks to rebound from a quick exit against Evansville. Beam has failed to eclipse 87 pitches in any start May 17, giving up 14 earned runs in his last three appearances.

Tennessee projects at -116 with Beam on the mound against Sprague. North Carolina head coach Scott Forbes indicated that closer Dalton Pence will likely be involved in this game after throwing 29 pitches in the win over Virginia.

"Dalton is Dalton — he's been our horse the whole season," Forbes said. "And the thing I like the most, looking at this box score, is he only threw 29 pitches. So, that horse is going to be back out there most likely on Sunday night."

The Tar Heels also used Matt Poston in relief and have yet to send another lights-out closer in Matthew Matthjis to the mound.

The total projects at 13.1, taking in projected innings for the starters, stoppers and closers, along with ERA, FIP and xFIP.

The wind forecast expects Sunday night to be similar to the afternoon — 20 mph gusts, pushing the ball from right to left field. Balls sent to the left-center gap could have a chance to clear the fence.

Omaha, Neb. — The losers' side of Bracket 2 will kick off Monday with two teams that had a tough path to Monday afternoon.

NC State took a one-run ninth-inning lead against Kentucky, only to submit to the Wildcats in the bottom of the 10th. Starting pitcher Sam Highfill was masterful for the Wolfpack, allowing three earned runs on 116 pitches in seven innings.

Florida, meanwhile, suffered a similar fate, firing back at Texas A&M with a chance to take the lead in extra innings.

The injury to Aggies outfielder Braden Montgomery moved teammate Jace LaViolette to right field. That defensive move was the difference in the game, as the 6-foot-6 LaViolette snagged a home-run ball from Cade Kurland that would have paid dividends for the Gators.

“Obviously a huge play,” Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “Jace played right field for us all last year. Then with Braden going down, he had to move to right since whatever the second game the Super Regional was. … I'm glad he's [6-foot-6] and can reach up there. I don't think [Travis] Chestnut would have probably been able to get it.”

NC State is expected to roll with Dom Fritton on the mound in an attempt to save the season against Florida. He last pitched in the Athens Super Regional, allowing seven earned runs against the Bulldogs and tying his worst start of the season.

Although top relievers Jacob Dudan and Derrick Smith made appearances for NC State, the duo threw less than 50 pitches combined and should be available again on Monday.

Florida is expected to send two-way star Jac Caglianone to the mound with intentions of saving the season. The soon-to-be first-round MLB Draft pick has given up four earned runs over five innings in his two starts this postseason.

The Gators kept the pen fresh in the late-night loss to Texas A&M, limiting Fisher Jameson to just over 50 pitches and Brandon Neely to 23.

Winds continue to be a major factor at Charles Schwab Field, as numerous home runs have been caught at the warning track. The wind projects at 20 mph sustained with over 30 mph gusts blowing straight in from right-center.

Omaha, Neb. — An all-SEC matchup is tabbed for the College World Series winners' bracket on Monday night.

Yet, Texas A&M and Kentucky didn't play each other in the regular season or during the conference tournament in Hoover.

"They can do everything — hit the ball out of the ballpark, run, bunt, put a lot of pressure on you, throw strikes, play defense," Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle said. "But we're not bad. We'll show up."

The Wildcats snagged a victory in extra innings from NC State, while defensive heroics from Jace LaViolette on a near home run from Cade Kurland moved the Aggies one step closer to a national title.

“There really wasn't that much wind going, but he just hit it to the wrong spot,” Schlossnagle said. “But Cade is a great hitter and stayed on a good pitch. We were playing no doubles, so Jace was pretty far back there. But I thought it was a homer.”

Schlossnagle rolled the dice in Game 1, sending Justin Lamkin to the mound while reserving the staff ace for this game. Ryan Prager is now expected to get the start for the Aggies after proving to be one of the best anchors in the nation despite recent troubles against Oregon.

Kentucky will have the option of sending Mason Moore or Dominic Niman to the mound, but both project as underdogs of -275 against Prager.

Wind and rain are forecasted for this game, with the heaviest wind gusts having the potential to reach more than 50 mph.

All pitching combinations fetch a projected total of 12.1.

This game's main avenue for runs is defensive errors. Both the Aggies and Wildcats rank top-35 nationally in fielding percentage, and with an ace on the mound in Prager, this should be one of the lower-scoring games in Omaha.

Omaha, Neb. — As the SEC continues to roll in the winners' bracket, an ACC team will be eliminated in Game 9 of the 2024 College World Series on Tuesday.

North Carolina opened Omaha with a walk-off victory over Virginia, only to see the lineup produce a single run in a Sunday loss to Tennessee.

That made it three consecutive games in which the Tar Heels have failed to score more than three runs. The last time they did so was an 8-6 Super Regional victory over West Virginia on June 7, which is something they want to replicate.

"I think a lot of that is the guy on the mound — you've got to give him credit and look at who you're facing," UNC head coach Scott Forbes said. "… We just haven't been able to have a big, big inning, but we're very capable of doing that. It can flip just like that. That's the thing about baseball."

Florida State, meanwhile, suffered a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee in its CWS opener, but the Seminoles extended their season when they eliminated Virginia on Sunday.

With two ACC teams set to do battle, there should be plenty of historical numbers to indicate a favorite in this game. However, North Carolina and Florida State haven't played each other in the past two seasons.

There's minimal history between these head coaches as well, but North Carolina’s Scott Forbes beat Link Jarrett when he was at Notre Dame in 2022.

Both teams are expected to send their third starters to the mound: Aidan Haugh for North Carolina and Conner Whittaker for Florida State.

The Tar Heels will have the advantage out of the bullpen. Closer Dalton Pence wasn't used in the loss to the Volunteers, making him fresher for Tuesday's elimination game. That's big news because the sophomore southpaw recently threw 58 pitches or more in Regional and Super Regional action.

Wind has been the story in Omaha thus far, as 30-mph gusts have knocked down several balls to keep runs off the board. The weather will not change for Tuesday afternoon, as sustained 25 mph winds blowing in from right-center field are expected.

Four Southeastern Conference teams arrived in Omaha before the weekend. While the ACC will have just one team remaining, the SEC will send home its first member between Kentucky and Florida.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Bracket 2 elimination game, as the winner gets a heavily-injured Texas A&M squad for the chance to go to the championship series.

Florida last played a third game on the weekend during Regionals, electing to throw Pierce Coppola, who has made seven starts this season with a cumulative ERA of 9.16.

The 6-foot-8 sophomore may allow as many runs as innings pitched, but he tends to record a lot of strikeouts in his appearances.

Coppola pitched against Kentucky on May 10, going 2 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run.

The biggest question for the Gators is the status of the bullpen, as shutdown closer Brandon Neely is up to 68 total pitches after tallying 45 in Monday's victory over NC State.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, will lick their wounds after a Monday night loss to Texas A&M. Now, Kentucky will look to win three consecutive games in as many days.

Dominic Niman has been a part of the rotation all season. He has started 16 games but hasn't lasted past the fourth inning since May 4.

Florida torched Niman on May 11, as he gave up six earned runs over four innings of work. The bullpen should be fresh, however, with closer Cameron O’Brien throwing just 28 pitches in Monday’s loss.

Kentucky projects at -140 with Niman on the mound against Coppola.

Considering both pitchers were rang up for numerous earned runs against these opposing lineups in early May, there's a chance for runs to finally show up in Omaha.

The wind may finally be a factor for the over, as lighter 10 mph winds moving from right to left field are expected to shift and blow out to left field around 8 p.m. CT.

There's a 65-cent difference in the projections when it comes to the two FSU pitchers who would face Sechrist. Arnold would project as a -135 favorite, while Whittaker would be an underdog at +130.

Seminoles closer Brennen Oxford was not used in the win over the Tar Heels, and he's expected to be used in the tightest spots against Tennessee.

The total also has a large swing depending on the starter, with Whittaker projecting at 13.3 and Arnold coming in at 12.2.

Wednesday's wind projections vary. At times, it could blow out to right field at 10 mph, or it could be a cross-directional wind from left to right field.

Florida State and Tennessee have the two best offenses remaining and combined for 25 runs in the opener. The Vols' opening number is steep, as Arnold may be held back with Dorsey for a potential Bracket 1 championship game on Thursday.