Hello all, we have made it. Welcome to the Greatest Show on Dirt! After months of play and a wild tournament, we have our final 8 teams.

I will be making my first trip out to Omaha this weekend. I am super excited. Thank you all. If you’re also in town for this weekend or have any recommendations for me, please send me a message on X!

Write Ups

Arizona vs Coastal Carolina

A 2016 finals rematch to start off the 2025 CWS. Coastal heads into Omaha on a 23 game win streak while supporting the second-best team ERA in the country. The players on this team stick together after Gilmore’s retirement and the way they rally behind a first-year Head Coach is special. Cameron Flukey started game one against Auburn and I expect him to get the ball here vs Arizona. Flukey has great command while featuring a high 90s FB with some nasty IVB. Coastal’s bullpen has also been consistent this season. He will likely project as a first rounder in the 2026 draft. Arizona’s postseason surge has them as a team that no one wants to run into right now. After a late-season stumble the Wildcats have been on fire, winning 10 of their last 11. The rotation lacks a true ace, but the bullpen has been a strength all season. They have been great in the later inning action. I am not sure who Arizona starts. Owen Kramkowski started game one against UNC, but was hit around. Mason White and Brendan Summerville headline the lineup. Among teams remaining, these offenses are bottom two in multiple offensive categories, including wRC+. The winner will be looking good, as this side of the bracket avoids LSU and Arkansas.

I like the under. I have a tough time biting on single digit unders in college baseball, but this is Omaha. Arizona not having a stand out starter worries me, but I trust the bullpen if the game can just start at a slow scoring pace. I will hit live under if both teams score early. Coastal will cause havoc on the base paths while Arizona comes through with more “timely hits” than anyone I have seen.

Louisville vs Oregon State

It was nice to see one go through the net as my Louisville to make the CWS preseason ticket cashed last weekend. The Cardinals received a more favorable path compared to others, but that doesn’t matter. This will be their 8th trip to Omaha under Head Coach Dan McConnell, but they have yet to win a national championship. Patrick Forbes will get the nod against Oregon State. Forbes battled an injury and some struggles this season, but has really found his groove as of late. He has the potential to shove it to OSU game one, but I do not think the Louisville staff is deep enough to make a run. Oregon State makes the trip back to Omaha for the first time since winning it all in 2018. What a season it has been for the Beavs. Hats off to Mitch Canham for getting this team to Omaha without being affiliated with a conference. The Beavs will role out one of the best Freshman arms in the country in Dax Whitney. I’m not putting much into it, but the Beavs have lost game one in regionals and supers.

I like the under here. Both offenses have plenty of pop, but I love this SP matchup. Forbes and Whitney have 2 of the lower SP SIERA’s in the country. Similar to CC and Arizona, Oregon State and Louisville avoid LSU and Arkansas.

Murray State vs UCLA

What a postseason run for the Murray State Racers. The Cinderella is never dead. They head into Omaha swinging the bats. With a top 15 wRC+ this season, no one in the lineup is an easy out. It also surprised me to see that Murray State has the best K/BB ratio among teams left. Leadoff hitter, Jonathan Hogart can do damage. I have been a UCLA doubter at times this season, but here we are. The Bruins offense is elite. Led by one of the country’s best players, Roch Chowolsky, UCLA features a deep lineup that has provided the 8th highest wRC+ this season. The mound has been their concern to me, as they do not have an elite arm to anchor the staff. It has not really affected them yet, as UCLA pitching held a powerful UTSA lineup to only 2 runs last weekend. Michael Barnett will likely go game one. He does not have any impressive stats that jump off the paper, but he has great command and limits damage. Two characteristics that go a long ways in Omaha.

I do not have a play here yet. I honestly lean Murray State, but will wait to see what the market does. Offenses are good, but would lean under. Murray’s K/BB ratio stands out while Barnett limits walks for UCLA.

LSU vs Arkansas

Could you have drawn up a better Saturday Night Matchup if you’re the CWS? If anyone knows of tickets for sale, hmu. Otherwise, I will be taking my chances at the gate for this one. Bottom line is that these are the two best teams left and the winner of this game will be sitting in the driver’s seat for the national championship. The sports books agree, as Arkansas (+200) and LSU (+230) currently sit at the top. Winning game one obviously goes a long ways. Only twice has a team lost its first game and proceeded to win it all: Oregon State 2006 & 2018). Kade Anderson likely gets the ball. Anderson has been projected to be the top overall pick in this summer’s draft by a few mocks. Arkansas will also role out a LHP in Zach Root. Root has looked phenomenal in his two tournament starts against Creighton & Tennessee. In their first matchup against these offenses, (5/9 at LSU) Anderson went 5.2IP 7H 3ER with 10Ks while Root went 6.0IP 5H 2ER with 6Ks. Anderson had some struggles later in his start vs WVU and this Arkansas offense can be a force to reckoned with when facing LHP. They have multiple bats that can do damage as they bullied, SEC pitcher of the year, LHP Liam Doyle again last weekend.

I lean Arkansas ML. They are the team I am pulling for the most this year. Dave van Horn has been one of my favorite coaches for years and he deserves to win one before retirement. I have said it before, I believe this is their year. I love Kade Anderson for LSU, but I would not want to be a LHP facing this Arky offense right now.

Note: Unders have printed at Charles Schwab Field the last few seasons. Make sure to check wind pre game.

Note: I did well live betting during Supers. Being in Nebraska, I will not have the opportunity this weekend. If you watch the game, you’ll likely find opportunities.

Note: I started a new role with my job, so my last few weeks have been hectic. I haven’t been on Discord as I have barely had time to keep up with my stats and information. If you have any questions, send me a message on X and I will respond asap. I’m hoping to hop back into my discord groups for questions on Friday.

2025 Draft Prospects to Watch

3 – Kade Anderson LHP (LSU)

6 – Aiva Arquette SS (Oregon State)

19 – Brendan Summerhill OF (Arizona)

22 – Wehiwa Aloy SS (Arkansas)

36 – Patrick Forbes RHP (Louisville)

38 – Caden Bodine C (Coastal Carolina)

43 – Zach Root LHP (Arkansas)

50 – Gage Wood RHP (Arkansas)

55 – Charles Davalan OF (Arkansas)

66 – Anthony Eyanson RHP (LSU)

72 – Daniel Dickinson 2B (LSU)

78 – Gavin Turley OF (Oregon State)

85 – Chase Shores RHP (LSU)

99 – Jared Jones 1B (LSU)

130 – Ethan Frey OF (LSU)

138 – Mason White SS (Arizona)

140 – Trent Caraway 3B (Oregon State)

166 – Aaron Walton OF (Arizona)

168 – Brent Iredale 3B (Arkansas)

175- Nelson Keljo LHP (Oregon State)

181 – Jacob Morrison RHP (Coastal Carolina)

Underclassmen to Watch

LSU – Derek Curiel OF

Ark – Gabe Gaeckle RHP

OSU – Dax Whitney RHP

CC – Cameron Flukey RHP

UCLA – Roch Cholowsky SS

Zona – Owen Kramkowski RHP

UL – Zion Rose OF

Murray – Connor Cunningham SS

Bets

Arizona / Coastal Carolina u9.5 -115

Louisville / Oregon State u10.5 -120

Murray +2.5 -115

Arkansas ML -120

Note: I have preseason tickets on Oregon State, Arkansas, and LSU. Outside of that group, Coastal worries me the most. Arkansas is my pick. You could throw something down on both Ark & LSU and likely leave next weekend with a profit.