The College World Series starts on 6/16.
Game 1: TCU vs Oral Roberts
Game 1 of the College World Series is interesting for a number of reasons. The first being these are two of the three unranked teams going to Omaha. The other is Tennessee. While TCU started the year ranked, they went through a little rough patch that landed them out of the top 25. They got hot at the right time, though, winning the Big 12. They are led by a solid trio of hitters in Cole Fontenelle, Karson Bowen, and Anthony Silva, while also having decent pitching with an ERA below 5 as a staff. Oral Roberts is led by Jonah Cox, who is on a 47-game hitting streak while hitting .420.
I think TCU ends up winning this game, but it will come down to who does better on the mound, particularly the bullpens.
Game 2: Virginia vs Florida
I really think Virginia will win this game. They rolled through their regional and super regional games and now look to continue their hot streak against a very talented Florida team. Jac Caglianone, the two-way star for the Gators, is their top star on offense and on the mound, with a 3.78 era and a nation-leading 31 home runs.
I do think Virginia has the pitching advantage and they also have the offense to hang with Florida, with Jake Gelof and Kyle Teel leading the way. This game might be the best of the first-round matchups. Do not be surprised if this very strong Virginia team pulls off a victory against #2-ranked Florida.
Game 3: Wake Forest vs Stanford
Another great game to watch will feature Quinn Mathews and Rhett Lowder, two amazing pitchers. Wake Forest has the best team ERA in the country at 2.84, which is crazy in college baseball today. Stanford features a trio of young stars in future first-rounder Tommy Troy, PAC 12 Player of the Year Alberto Rios, and two-way star Braden Montgomery.
Wake Forest has an incredibly potent offense with Nick Kurtz, who is hitting .370 with 24 bombs and 69 RBI, Pierce Bennett, who is hitting .357 with 65 RBI, and the big bat of Brock Wilken who is also hitting .357, but with 30 home runs and 80 RBI. This game will be decided by who has better timely hitting, because it will likely be close late. It will be electric. I just don’t think Stanford has enough reliable bullpen arms to win. It will take another special performance from Quinn Mathews to beat the Demon Deacons.
Game 4: LSU vs Tennessee
This is going to be an electric first round matchup that I just cannot see LSU losing. They have the likely #1 and #2 picks in the MLB Draft in Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews. With Paul Skenes on the bump, along with Tommy "Tanks" White and Tre’ Morgan in the lineup, it’s hard to imagine them losing this game. LSU has all the firepower in the world.
Tennessee has sluggers Blake Burke and Jared Dickey, who can really impact the game. I expect Chase Dollander to take the hill for Tennessee, which should keep them in it. I just don’t think they have the hitting to overcome facing 100 MPH with a tight slider from Paul Skenes. This game might end up the most lopsided of all the first-round matchups.
CWS Champions:
I think Wake Forest will win this year because of them having the deepest staff in the country. That’s huge for Omaha. They are solid up and down their staff. I think the championship will be Wake Forest vs Virginia and I think Virginia will lose to Wake Forest in a winner-take-all Game 3. This will put an end to one of the most star-studded CWS in recent memory.