What is up everyone! I have made it back safely from Omaha so will have more time dedicated for write ups. I had a blast my first time out and hope to make it out each season going forward.

Gage Wood. 19ks. No Hitter in an elimination game. What a site to see yesterday. I have seen a lot of baseball and that was the one of the best pitching performances I have seen in person.

Oregon State vs Louisville

Of course, I finally decided to back the Beavs with a little 0.5u on Sunday and they burned me. Coastal’s starter Jacob Morrison kept them off-balanced the entire game. They had a few long fly balls that died at the Charles Schwab warning track (HRs in most ballparks). I am expecting more run support today against a Louisville staff that is low on arms. The Beavers did not play well in the field. They started the game by walking 3 straight in the first inning then had 2 costly errors later that allowed Coastal to tack on. Nelson Keljo will likely get the ball today. Keljo has been up and down this season. He has some good stuff in the arsenal but can lose command. Walking batters early can leave you in a tough spot, as OSU saw Sunday vs Coastal. Eric Segura came in relief in game one vs Louisville and I expect him to do the same today.

An 8th inning rally on Sunday helped Louisville take down Arizona and advance in the loser’s bracket. Brennyn Cutts will start the game today. Tucker Biven was the projected starter, but he tossed 53 pitches in relief against Arizona. Cutts longest outing this year was 3.2 innings way back in February so this is will likely be an entire staff effort. He did win the 2024 MVC Pitcher of the Year at Indiana State. If Keljo struggles to find command early or the defense boots the ball around, this Louisville offense can make the Beavs pay. Louisville loves to cause havoc on the bases as they by far led the ACC in SBs.

I like the over. The best arms on both teams are burned. Oregon State likely has the better bullpen, but idk why they are a -215 favorite. It seems steep to me.

Arkansas vs UCLA

Arky is rolling with Zach Root. Root will look to bounce back after being pulled in the 2nd inning Saturday Night vs LSU. I honestly figured they would hold him for tomorrow, but I like this matchup. I could be off, but I believe UCLA rolls out 5 LHB in their starting lineup. It is short rest, but I’m not worried about it. Root has something to prove here. After Gage Wood’s no-hitter yesterday, Arkansas has their full pen available (outside of Gaeckle). I hope this will be the game Arkansas’ offense arrives in Omaha. Kade Anderson did #1 pick things Saturday Night. Arkansas bouncing back to only produce 3 runs against Murray State’s pitching is troublesome but they made some loud contact that may find grass this time around.

It could potentially be a tough day for the Bruins. After the delay last night, UCLA had to resume play this morning against LSU. They will take the OSU / Louisville game off, before returning back for the night game. This will be UCLA’s first double-header of the season – LA weather. The pitching staff is starting to run low. 8 total Bruins pitched in the LSU matchup. 6 after the resumption today. UCLA’s HC John Savage said after the game “We have 5 or 6 guys that didn’t throw either yesterday or today. We’ll pick one. Can a guy come back back? Morning and night? The World Series is not designed for that. This isn’t designed for that. They didn’t ask for this. We have to deal with it. We’re the team that has to deal with it. That’s OK. A lot of them threw 10, 12, 14 pitches. Most of those guys should be able to come back, but we do still have a pretty big group of guys that haven’t thrown.”

My worry here is UCLA swings it well. They jumped on Anthony Eyanson for 3 in the top of the first last night. If Arkansas’ lineup does not show up again, UCLA’s offense could make things interesting. However, I trust Zach Root and Ark’s bullpen to limit the damage. The Arkansas is going to have to step up if they have any hopes of beating LSU. Tonight is the perfect opportunity. Woo Pig.

6/17 Bets

Oregon State / Louisville o10.5 -115

Arkansas -2.5 -130

2-0 (+2u)