We’re onto Day 4 in Omaha as 7 of the original 8 teams remain (sorry, Virginia), but we have to say goodbye to another team this afternoon. I am also undefeated no more in Omaha as Florida blew a 4-run lead to Oral Roberts last night and ended up winning by just 1 run — not ideal as I was holding a Florida -2.5 ticket. Anyway, it’s time to start a new streak today.
On Monday, Tennessee and Stanford begin the day with a 2:00 pm ET first pitch in an elimination game and then the night game will feature LSU and Wake Forest, which is the game everyone is very excited about, including me.
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Tennessee vs Stanford Under 10 (-120)
Available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
It’s another elimination day in Omaha, as one of these teams will have their season ended this afternoon. The Vols lost to Paul Skenes and LSU in their first game, and the Cardinal lost a hard-fought battle to Wake Forest on Saturday. Both squads now have their backs to the wall, and the mindset has shifted. The first game in Omaha is always a must-win because it sets you up nicely for the next few days, but if you suffer an early loss, the next game becomes a can’t-lose game. In can’t-lose games, the players get tense and the managers have very short leashes with their pitchers because they can’t afford to go down several runs. We saw that in Sunday’s elimination game between TCU and Virginia, as neither starter lasted long and the game finished with just 7 runs. I’m expecting more of that today.
Although it’s their second game in Omaha, both teams will be starting their aces. Chase Dollander will get the ball for Tennessee, and Quinn Mathews will oppose him for Stanford. You might recognize Mathews’ name because of what he did in his last start. The senior threw a complete game and allowed just 3 runs and 8 hits while striking out an absurd 16 batters, but it took 156 pitches. Everyone on social media thought they were a coach and had something to say about throwing that many pitches, but the thing is: Mathews is used to it. Before that start against Texas, the left-hander had thrown more than 110 pitches in 13 of his previous 15 outings (to be clear though, 156 is way too many, I’m just saying he usually throws a lot). He’s a workhorse who doesn’t seem to get tired, and that’s exactly what Stanford needs today.
Dollander’s title of ace has come and gone throughout the season, as he’s had a mix of bright moments and some forgettable ones, too. The right-hander finished with a 4.50 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 86 innings, but he can also struggle with extra-base hits and walks — two no-nos in an elimination game. However, Dollander showed up when Tennessee needed it most in the super regionals as he went 8 innings and gave up 4 runs and 7 hits on 111 pitches against Southern Miss. If the theme of low-scoring and closely contested games continues in Omaha, we should have an early winner before the big game of the night.
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