Hello! We have made it down to 4 teams remaining. Arkansas and Louisville are two wins away from making to the title, while LSU and Coastal are only one. We have Louisville / Coastal schedule early today followed by Arkansas / LSU tonight. Let’s go.

Louisville vs Coastal Carolina

It is beginning to feel like 2016 for the Chanticleers. Coastal is one win away from finding themselves back in the national championship game. Kevin Schnall, what a job in year one. After a 2-0 start in Omaha, Coastal enjoyed two days off before tonight. They are the only team that has not hit a HR in the CWS, but it really hasn’t mattered. The offense is getting runners on base and producing runs. Coastal has looked great, but I do believe their games have been closer than the scoreboard indicates. They scored 3 in the B8 vs Arizona to break the tie. They also made Oregon State pay the price in the first inning on Sunday night after allowing a few free passes and an error. Jacob Morrison was cinema in his start against the Beavers and allowed CC to save their bullpen. Cameron Flukey may be the most talented arm on this roster and hasn’t even started yet. Riley Eickhoff went 45 pitches and Flukey went 71 against Arizona. My guess is Eickhoff starts with the bullpen after. Relievers like Dominick Carbone and Ryan Lynch have barely been used and will be available. Midweek starter, Luke Jones is also available. They probably save Flukey for an if necessary tomorrow.

I was high on this Louisville team in the preseason. I cashed a “to make the CWS” ticket on them and wish I was currently holding a “to win the CWS” ticket. Dan McConnell is one of the best coaches in college baseball. He has exceeded program expectations while putting kids in the league each year. He has a great eye for scouting talent. Unfortunately for the Cards, the odds are not in their favor today. Coastal is well rested, and UL is the opposite. Their pitching is depleted and I’m not sure where they go after bringing Bivens in to close yesterday. Patrick Forbes tossed 100 pitches on Friday. Louisville loves to cause havoc on the bases. They will test Caden Bodine, as his arm isn’t anything to shy away from.

The wind is blowing 10-15 mph out for this game. Louisville probably has more pop throughout the lineup, but I think it helps Coastal more. I would be more interested in backing Arizona or Oregon State in this spot compared to Louisville. Coastal should be able to handle business here. We may even see them hit a few HRs today with the help of the wind. I may lay the juice on the ML, but waiting for each team to confirm starters. I want to make sure Forbes isn’t going for Louisville.

Arkansas vs LSU

Here we have the semifinal’s matchup we were all hoping for. After losing game one to LSU, Arkansas came through the loser’s bracket to make it to tonight. The bats appeared better last night. The UCLA starter did a great job of preventing early damage, but the Bruin bullpen could not hold up. Arkansas will need to continue offensive production if they have hopes of beating LSU twice. Zach Root bounced back on the mound while Aiden Jimenez provided 3 innings of scoreless relief. Arkansas has not announced a starting pitcher, but people are projecting it to be Landon Beidelschies. Beidelschies last pitched in Regionals and has not made it longer than 2 innings since 5/3 vs Texas. The LHP has been hit around some this season but has only handed out 19 free passes all season. LSU rolls 7 RHB and hits a collective .348 against LHP. They already jumped on Ark’s best LHP early on Saturday Night before Gabe Geackle came in and limited the damage. On 5/11 @ LSU, Beidelschies allowed 2 HRs in 2 innings of work. Arkansas may have Gaeckle available for tonight after he threw 90 pitches in relief on Saturday but I think they would like to save him to start tomorrow. Their bullpen is loaded with guys that have barely thrown, so they will have the arms available.

The good news for the Arkansas lineup is that they will not be facing Kade Anderson this time around. LSU is projected to start Zac Cowan. Cowan has been good for LSU this season, but has ran into problems in his last two outings (Little Rock & South Carolina). His 1.1 IP against Little Rock has been his only start this season and his only outing since 5/15. On 5/9 vs Arkansas, Cowan provided 3 scoreless innings in relief. Similar to Arkansas, LSU has a surplus of dominant bullpen arms available to piece together a few innings. Anthony Eyanson could also be available after only throwing 44 pitches prior to the UCLA delay but Jay may save him for tomorrow.

Which offense shows up? LSU has been the better offense in Omaha thus far. To absolutely no one’s surprise, Steven Milam has heated up at the right time. Kade Anderson was in playing in a different mode on Saturday Night. Arky’s offense provided some support last night, but LSU’s bullpen is a lot better than UCLA’s. I think they can push a few across vs Cowan. I like my chances if Beidelschies has the lead when he hands the ball to the bullpen. LSU’s lineup against a LHP starter is my main concern. Keep the bats hot and get the lead to the bullpen. Call the Hogs. WPS.

6/18 Bets

Arkansas -120