Welcome to one of the best weeks of the year.
The 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament kicks off this week with Regionals action. In a few short weeks, the current field of 64 will dwindle to eight teams in Omaha competing for the most prestigious prize in the sport: a College World Series title.
With the postseason rapidly approaching, let's take a look at my college baseball picks and NCAA Regionals predictions for all 16 Regionals.
College Baseball Picks, Predictions for NCAA Regionals
Nashville Regional Picks
1
Vanderbilt Commodores (1)
2
Louisville Cardinals
3
East Tennessee State Buccaneers
4
Wright State Raiders
1. Vanderbilt Commodores: The Commodores enter the field of 64 as the newly anointed No. 1 team in the country. They went 22-11 in SEC play, finishing No. 1 in RPI, No. 2 in strength of schedule and riding high off an SEC Tournament title.
They're not only a strong pick to win their region but have the upside to win it all in Omaha. Vandy has the deepest pitching staff in the country, ranking ninth in team ERA, sixth in WHIP, and first in xFIP and SIERA.
In these tournament formats, pitching depth is the key to success, and the Commodores have proven they can shut down the top lineups in the country.
2. Louisville Cardinals: The Cardinals are a bit of an enigma. They went .500 in ACC play this season but have some very strong nonconference wins such as Vanderbilt, Texas and Arizona.
They showed they have the potential to take down any team in the country, but they're stumbling into the postseason after losing five straight series to end the regular season, followed by a first-round exit in the ACC Tournament.
3. East Tennessee State Buccaneers: ETSU is not a team to sleep on in this Regional, as it comes in rolling off a SoCon Tournament victory to finish off the year with a 41-15 record.
The Buccaneers were one of the most potent offensive teams in the country, ranking fourth in OPS and 18th in wRC+
Look for them to be very live as underdogs in their first matchup against Louisville, as ace Carter Fink gets to face a cold Cardinals lineup.
4. Wright State Raiders: The Wright State Raiders dominated the Horizon League, going 25-5 in conference play. They did so by outslugging their competition, ranking 22nd in OPS and 32nd in wRC+ nationally.
Unfortunately for them, their pitching is a major issue, as they hold a staff ERA of 6.32. That will be catastrophic against Vandy in the opener and could easily make them 0-2 in the Regional.
Nashville Regional Best Bets
Vanderbilt to Make the College World Series (+120 · DraftKings): The Commodores' pitching depth gives them the ability to pitch off in their opener against Wright State and save JD Thompson for the two tougher lineups in the region.
They should get through their region handily, so they’ll likely face either Southern Miss or Alabama in a Super Regional series. I like the Commodores to advance, so getting them at plus-money to make it to Omaha is great value.
ETSU as an Underdog vs. Louisville: We talked about how these teams are trending in opposite directions, but a projected pitching matchup of Carter Fink vs. Peter Michael makes the Bucs just +115 underdogs.
I think we’ll get a much better price than that.
Pick: Vanderbilt to Make College World Series (+120) · ETSU as an Underdog vs. Louisville
Austin Regional Picks
1
Texas Longhorns (2)
2
UTSA Roadrunners
3
Kansas State Wildcats
4
Houston Christian Huskies
1. Texas Longhorns: The Longhorns somehow cling to the No. 2 ranking in the country thanks to their early-season dominance that really saved them.
It’s clear this Texas team is far from its best form entering the postseason. The Horns lost two of their last three series and dropped their opening game to Tennessee in the SEC Tournament.
Losing ace Jared Spencer and premier power hitter Max Belyeu were significant blows. The loss of Spencer looms large, as no starter has risen to the occasion, and the load has been heavy on Texas’ excellent bullpen.
As for the bats, they ran cold down the stretch and are a big question entering this Regional. However, the Longhorns got lucky with their draw here.
2. UTSA Roadrunners: UTSA ran all over its competition this season, finishing 23-4 in the AAC and 44-13 overall. The Roadrunners can swing it, as they ranked 10th in team batting average and 13th in wRC+.
However, that’s not all. They're also solid on the mound with a strong bullpen.
The Roadrunners already own a victory over the Longhorns this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they take them down again.
3. Kansas State Wildcats: The Wildcats were a very streaky team that struggled against elite nonconference opposition but pulled out some notable wins over Arkansas and Nebraska, along with a series win over West Virginia.
However, their inconsistency, particularly on the mound, doesn't bode well in this region as they face UTSA in their opening matchup.
4. Houston Christian Huskies: The Huskies were bid-stealers out of the Southland Conference. They got hot and won five games to earn their spot. While that's commendable, they're not a team that faces much power conference opposition and are not up to snuff with the Longhorns on paper.
Texas defeated the Huskies, 12-2, earlier this season. We should see a repeat outcome in this Regional.
Austin Regional Best Bets
UTSA to Win Austin Regional (+400 · bet365): While Texas is a heavy favorite, and deservedly so, it’s clear the Longhorns are vulnerable.
The Roadrunners have already proven they can take them down, so it’s worth a shot at this price for them to do it again.
Pick: UTSA to Win Austin Regional (+400)
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Fayetteville Regional Picks
1
Arkansas Razorbacks (3)
2
Kansas Jayhawks
3
Creighton Bluejays
4
North Dakota State Bison
1. Arkansas Razorbacks: The Razorbacks enter the postseason as the favorites to win the College World Series, and they've earned it. Dare I say this Arkansas team is different? Their lineup finished fifth in OPS and wRC+.
Aside from a much more consistent lineup, this Arkansas staff has depth and is tremendous out of the bullpen.
The +450 number may be the best we get on them to win the College World Series going forward, as they should have no issues getting out of this Regional and have already shown they can take a series from Tennessee should they see them in Supers.
2. Kansas Jayhawks: It’s safe to say that Kansas is no longer just a basketball school, as the Jayhawks flourished this season and finished 43-15.
In fact, they surprised everyone by winning the Big 12 regular-season title with an emphatic sweep of West Virginia. However, their bats went cold against TCU in the Big 12 Tournament, which led to an early exit.
Regardless, the Jayhawks are a team to back individually in this region, as they have two frontline starters and a lineup that ranked 19th nationally in wRC+.
3. Creighton Bluejays: Creighton is team that will finally be tested after seemingly dominating the Big East wire-to-wire this season. The Bluejays finished with a 40-14 record, going 17-4 in conference play.
However, they ranked 196th in strength of schedule, and their only two wins against teams in the field of 64 are Kansas State and Nebraska. So, while the Bluejays rank well on paper, I'm skeptical, to say the least.
4. North Dakota State Bison: NDSU is another bid-steal from the Summit League. The Bison are by far the weakest team in the field, as they finished 19-32 on the season and ranked 160th in RPI.
To their credit, they earned their way here by taking two out of three matchups against top-seeded Oral Roberts to punch their ticket. However, it’s clear their upside is bleak in Fayetteville.
Fayetteville Regional Best Bets
Pick: Kansas ML vs. Creighton (Friday, May 30)
Auburn Regional Picks
1
Auburn Tigers (4)
2
NC State Wolfpack
3
Stetson Hatters
4
Central Connecticut Blue Devils
1. Auburn Tigers: In the deepest conference in the country, the Auburn Tigers showed they can hang tough by taking series from Vanderbilt, LSU and Tennessee while also picking up nonconference wins over Oregon State and Georgia Tech.
That type of resume is how you finish No. 1 in RPI while having the toughest schedule in the country.
I don’t see many things getting in the way of the Tigers advancing, especially since they can afford to pitch off for the looming matchup with NC State.
2. NC State Wolfpack: This NC State team will go as far as its bats allow. The Wolfpack had an excellent season in the ACC, but their lineup went cold down the stretch, which put a damper on a quality resume.
They swept Clemson and Virginia while also taking series from Virginia Tech and Louisville. However, getting outslugged by Miami and Stanford highlights a big problem when it comes to advancing past a team like Auburn in this region.
The Wolfpack have an excellent bullpen and a veteran starting rotation, but they're going to need to slug their way out of this region.
3. Stetson Hatters: Jacob deGrom may have put Stetson on the map, but the Hatters showed out this season, going 40-20 overall and 24-6 against conference opponents.
Much like NC State, Stetson is a team that was streaky at the plate but excellent on the mound. The Hatters finished the season 18th in team ERA nationally, and a big part of that is ace Joey Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is going to get the ball Friday, and if NC State’s bats aren't woken up, we could see an upset.
4. Central Connecticut Blue Devils: This Central Connecticut team deserves respect for what it did this seaso,n ranking third in team batting average and 24th in OPS. On paper, it can swing it, and its lineup led the team to a conference title.
However, it may be the least tested team in the field. The Blue Devils ranked 298th in strength of schedule and 214th in RPI. Auburn will be the toughest team they’ve faced by far.
Auburn Regional Best Bets
Pick: Stetson Run Line vs. NC State (Friday, May 30)
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Chapel Hill Regional Picks
1
North Carolina Tar Heels (5)
2
Oklahoma Sooners
3
Nebraska Cornhuskers
4
Holy Cross Crusaders
1. North Carolina Tar Heels: The North Carolina Tar Heels are the team to buy heading into Regionals. UNC is fresh off an ACC Tournament title, where they showed how well-rounded it is.
The Tar Heels have a veteran starting rotation, a lockdown bullpen and power in the middle of the lineup. That trio is what to look for in a national title contender.
North Carolina advancing out of their region is the first step to what looks like a deep run to Omaha.
2. Oklahoma Sooners: While the Oklahoma Sooners had a great inaugural season in the SEC, they're a team to back on Friday nights. Their ace, Kyson Witherspoon, is one of the top arms in the country, and he showed that many times this year.
Witherspoon will now start on Saturday instead of Friday, and outside of him, the trust starts to dissipate. Oklahoma’s lineup finished the season cold, and no arm after Witherspoon has earned much trust.
Be prepared to fade the Sooners on Saturday if they get a date with the Tar Heels.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers: This Regional is one of the deepest in the field, and Nebraska being a 3-seed is testament to that. The Cornhuskers caught fire in the Big Ten Tournament to steal a bid, taking down the likes of Oregon and UCLA in the process.
While their run through the Big Ten was magical, this team is well-rounded and can compete with anyone in the country. They're consistent on the mound and have veterans throughout the order.
No matter what happens Friday against Oklahoma, they're a lock to bounce back Saturday against Holy Cross, which will likely give them a second shot at the Sooners, where they may have an edge.
4. Holy Cross Crusaders: As you can see by now, Holy Cross may have the toughest hill to climb for any 4-seed. The Crusaders finished 31-25 in the Patriot League after ranking 214th in strength of schedule.
They haven't been tested like they will be in this region, and their pitching woes make them targets to get throttled by any of the opposing lineups. Look to take run lines when fading the Crusaders.
Chapel Hill Regional Best Bets
UNC to Win College World Series (+1100 · bet365): I noted how it all clicked for the Tar Heels, and they don’t have a tough path to Omaha. Get this number while you can.
Oklahoma vs. North Carolina Under 12.5 or Better (Saturday, May 31): Back the under in a projected battle Kyson Witherspoon and Jake Knapp.
Pick: UNC to Win College World Series (+1100) · Oklahoma vs. North Carolina Under 12.5 or Better (Saturday, May 31)
Baton Rouge Regional Picks
1
LSU Tigers (6)
2
Dallas Baptist Patriots
3
Rhode Island Rams
4
Little Rock Trojans
1. LSU Tigers: The Tigers enter the postseason with the second-best odds to win the College World Series, and it’s hard to find many faults with them.
To start, they may have the best 1-2 pitching punch in the field with Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson.
However, it doesn’t stop there. The pitching staff has loads of depth, and there will be players who are used in multiple roles. Those diverse options give them the chance to make a deep run.
If there's one drawback, the lineup has loads of pop, and with that comes a lot of strikeouts. So, LSU could be a boom or bust as the field dwindles.
2. Dallas Baptist Patriots: If it weren't for the electric arms of LSU, the DBU Patriots would be a team to keep an eye on.
On top of dominating Conference USA, the Patriots were well tested in midweek matchups, defeating Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU.
However, one midweek test they dropped came against LSU. So, while they may get two more shots at the Tigers, I don’t see the Patriots beating them twice.
3. Rhode Island Rams: Much like we’ve seen with a lot of these mid-major teams, the Rhode Island Rams slugged their way to wins this season, ranking sixth nationally in wRC+ and 20th in OPS.
They didn't face much quality competition, ranking 172nd in strength of schedule, which makes their staff ERA of 6.16 a major concern.
However, we can use it to our advantage. The over in their opening matchup against DBU is certainly worth a look.
4. Little Rock Trojans: Perhaps the longest shot in the field is the Little Rock Trojans. They went on an improbable run to win the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament after going 8-16 in conference play.
The Trojans can't compete with LSU in Game 1 and don’t have the pitching to contain Rhode Island or DBU.
Baton Rouge Regional Best Bets
LSU to Make the College World Series (-115): I’m not typically a fan of laying juice on futures, but given how little threat the Tigers face in their region, it’s certainly a good angle.
Even if they host Clemson in a Super Regional, their pitching will be too much for a streaky Tigers club.
Dallas Baptist vs. Rhode Island Over 13.5: We'll see stellar lineups in this matchup, and the Rams don’t have the arms to contain DBU.
Pick: LSU to Make the College World Series (-115) · Dallas Baptist vs. Rhode Island Over 13.5 or Better
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Athens Regional Picks
1
Georgia Bulldogs (7)
2
Duke Blue Devils
3
Oklahoma State Cowboys
4
Binghamton Bearcats
1. Georgia Bulldogs: The Georgia Bulldogs had a very impressive season, finishing tied for No. 1 in RPI with the seventh-hardest schedule. While they're very well-rounded, they got a very tough draw.
I’m expecting them to pitch off and hold ace Brian Curley for their second game against either Duke or Oklahoma State. However, just because Curley is on the mound doesn’t mean the pendulum swings heavily in their favor.
While the Bulldogs do deserve respect, they may be getting a bit too much in this region.
2. Duke Blue Devils: Duke is the team to watch in this region. It has the pop to hang with anyone, as it finished third in wRC+ and 11th in OPS.
We saw the Blue Devils take series from Clemson and NC State while hanging tough with the likes of UNC and Georgia Tech.
If they can get one pitching performance from someone not named Owen Proksch, they could be in a great spot to come out of this region.
3. Oklahoma State Cowboys: The Cowboys began the year with a lot of hype centered around Golden Spikes contender Nolan Schubart. Well, he and the other Oklahoma State bats got off to a cold start, and the expectations plummeted from there.
However, Harrison Bodendorf on the mound and the bullpen locking games down allowed the Cowboys to finish the season strong despite spotty run production.
This Oklahoma State team has the talent to make a run. If the lineup gets hot, it could make it out of this region as well.
4. Binghamton Bearcats: The Bearcats are another bid-stealing 4-seed, as they went on a run to take the American East Tournament title from Bryant.
As it is with many of the 4-seeds, the pitching is a concern against power conference lineups. All three of the other teams here can mash a Bearcats staff that posted a team ERA of 6.46 with a strength of schedule of 263rd.
It would be surprising to see them hang with any team in this region.
Athens Regional Best Bets
- Duke to Win Athens Regional (+350 · bet365)
- Oklahoma State to Win Athens Regional (+1000)
While these teams play each other to start, whoever wins is in a good spot. Both lineups can keep up with Georgia offensively, and I’m wary of the Bulldogs' pitching depth.
Pick: Duke to Win Athens Regional (+350 · bet365) · Oklahoma State to Win Athens Regional (+1000)
Corvallis Regional Picks
1
Oregon State Beavers (8)
2
TCU Horned Frogs
3
USC Trojans
4
Saint Mary's Gaels
1. Oregon State Beavers: The Beavers are back hosting again, but this time as an independent. While they finished sixth in RPI, their schedule is not all that impressive.
The Beavers' best victory came over UCLA. Otherwise, they lost to Oklahoma, Auburn, a series with Nebraska and were swept by Oregon.
They're the least tested host in the field, and it's surprising one would have to lay juice to back them to make it out of this region.
2. TCU Horned Frogs: TCU ended its season on low note, as it couldn't vanquish Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament. Regardless, it finds itself with a great draw in this Regional.
The Horned Frogs are the best team in this region. They outrank Oregon State in nearly every statistical category and are much hotter offensively coming in.
Playing in Corvallis should only boost their hot lineup. They have the talent to advance without much issue.
3. USC Trojans: The USC Trojans were one of the Pac-12 teams to make the jump to the Big Ten, unlike the Beavers, and they held their own with an 18-12 record in conference play.
However, there’s not much that pops out about this club, especially when matched up with TCU. The Horned Frogs opened as -200 favorites, which is very telling about the talent gap in this Regional.
4. Saint Mary’s Gaels: The Gaels pulled off two big upsets in the WCC Tournament to punch their ticket to Corvallis.
However, there will be no more upsets, as the Gaels didn't show much against power conference opposition. In fact, they were swept by Vanderbilt and Oregon.
While those two clubs are far better than Oregon State, it gives us an idea of what to expect in their first matchup.
Corvallis Regional Best Bets
Pick: TCU to Win Corvallis Regional (+150)
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Tallahassee Regional Picks
1
Florida State Seminoles (9)
2
Northeastern Huskies
3
Mississippi State Bulldogs
4
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
1. Florida State Seminoles: Last year, the Seminoles came out of nowhere to make a run to Omaha. This year, they're back as hosts and aren't getting enough respect.
Yes, they have one true ace in Jamie Arnold, but Joey Volini and Wes Mendes will be a big part of their postseason success. The Seminoles can also mash, ranking ninth in batting average and 17th in OPS.
If they pitch off and hold Arnold until Saturday, they'll be in a great spot to win the Regional.
2. Northeastern Huskies: The Huskies dominated the Coastal Conference, going 25-2 in conference play. Additionall,y they come into their matchup with Mississippi State on a 27-game winning streak.
However, that will be put to the test, as Northwestern opened as a +114 underdog.
3. Mississippi State Bulldogs: If it weren’t for the likelihood of facing Arnold and Florida State on Saturday, the Bulldogs would be a great value.
They're extremely well-rounded, ranking 29th in OPS and 31st in team ERA. The Bulldogs also closed the season strong before running into a revitalized Texas A&M club in the SEC Tournament.
It wouldn't shock me if they find a way to challenge Florida State if they can get Arnold out early because Mississippi State holds a big bullpen edge over the Seminoles.
4. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats: Bethune-Cookman is another 4-seed that dominated its conference but struggled against nearly all other competition. The 'Cats went 24-5 against the Southwestern Atlantic Conference but 13-16 in nonconference play.
One of their nonconference losses came against Florida State by a score of 9-7. While they challenged the Seminoles, Bethune-Cookman ranked 293rd in strength of schedule, so its nonconference results are more telling for the results we should see in this Regional.
Tallahassee Regional Best Bets
Pick: Florida State to Win Tallahassee Regional (-110) · Mississippi State ML -145 vs. Northeastern
Oxford Regional Picks
1
Ole Miss Rebels (10)
2
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
3
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
4
Murray State Racers
1. Ole Miss Rebels: Ole Miss entered the SEC Tournament on the verge of hosting, and its run cemented that. Winning series against Vanderbilt and Auburn before taking down Florida, Arkansas and LSU is quite a way to establish yourself as a team.
However, it was rewarded with a tough draw, as each of the other three teams put up gaudy offensive numbers.
The Rebels survived with timely hitting a good pitching down the stretch, but they're vulnerable if the game becomes a slugfest.
2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Speaking of teams that will thrive in a slugfest, look no further than the ACC regular-season champs, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
They ranked 11th in OPS and 14th in batting average nationally, but they're not all offense. The duo of Brady Jones and Tate McKee can be electric on the mound, and they're backed up by an elite reliever in Mason Patel.
3. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers: The offensive barrage continues with the Hilltoppers, who slugged their way to a CUSA Championship.
Their starting pitcher duo of Drew Whalen and Jack Bennett also led a staff that ranked third in ERA and ninth in WHIP.
The only drawback to Western Kentucky is its lack of competition. It's impressive on paper but ranked 217th in strength of schedule.
The Hilltoppers do own victories over Kentucky and DBU but dropped matchups to Louisville and Vanderbilt. Given those results, they may challenge the Yellow Jackets.
4. Murray State Racers: Rounding out this gauntlet of sluggers are the Murray State Racers. The Racers outslugged their opposition on the way to a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title.
Interestingly enough, the Racers are familiar with two of the other teams in this region, as they defeated Western Kentucky, 2-1, and lost to Ole Miss, 9-8.
However, this second meeting against the Rebels may go very differently, as they are likely to see one of their top two starting pitchers instead of a midweek arm.
Oxford Regional Best Bets
Pick: Georgia Tech to Win Oxford Regional (+180) · Western Kentucky Run Line vs. Georgia Tech
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Clemson Regional Picks
1
Clemson Tigers (11)
2
West Virginia Mountaineers
3
Kentucky Wildcats
4
USC Upstate Spartans
1. Clemson Tigers: It has been a season of ups and downs for the Tigers. They started off very strong but went ice cold toward the end of April. However, they found it again in Durham, making a run to the ACC Tournament Championship.
The key for the Tigers is on the mound. If Aidan Knaack and Drew Titsworth struggle, they won’t make it out of this region. But they're due for positive regression, so things are looking up for Clemson.
2. West Virginia Mountaineers: The Mountaineers were a pleasant surprise in the Big 12, going 19-9 in conference play on the way to 41 wins overall.
However, they crashed and burned down the stretch, losing the regular-season title after being swept by Kansas on the final weekend of the season.
What’s concerning is that the struggles were universal over their final 10 games. However, I like them to get right on Friday with a fresh slate and Griffin Kirn on the mound.
3. Kentucky Wildcats: The team the Mountaineers will get right against is the Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky has been a tough team to figure out, as it's below average offensively, and ace Nate Harris is due for sizable regression.
I get that Kentucky had the ninth-toughest schedule, but going 13-17 in the SEC and finishing five games over .500 is not a tournament-worthy resume.
4. USC Upstate Spartans: USC Upstate won its first-ever Big South title to earn this spot, and it's going to be fun to watch. The Spartans can rake, as they finished the season ranked seventh in wRC+, eighth in average and 13th in OPS.
The Spartans are an upstart club, and I’ll be looking at an over against Clemson and possibly a run line if they play Kentucky on Saturday.
Clemson Regional Best Bets
Pick: Clemson to Win Clemson Regional (+105 · DraftKings) · USC Upstate vs. Clemson Over 12.5 or Better (Friday, May 30)
Eugene Regional Picks
1
Oregon Ducks (12)
2
Arizona Wildcats
3
Cal Poly Mustangs
4
Utah Valley Wolverines
1. Oregon Ducks: Oregon is legit. The Ducks took the Big Ten by storm, going 22-8 in conference play. Their upset loss to Nebraska was more of a fluke, and I expect them to bounce back strongly.
Their ace, Grayson Grinsell, has been one of the best arms in the country, and he’s been supported by a bullpen that ranked ninth in ERA and seventh in WHIP.
Oregon will be sizably favored against each team in this region, and it should cruise with no other club being as well-rounded.
2. Arizona Wildcats: Arizona was a trendy pick to compete in the Big 12 after coming over from the Pac-12, and it was great to see that come to fruition as it made a run to win the conference tournament title.
If the Big 12 Tournament showed anything, it's that the Wildcats need their pitching to be solid to maintain success. Arms like Owen Kramkowski and Collin McKinney have upside, but consistency has been an issue.
3. Cal Poly Mustangs: Cal Poly got its revenge in the Big West Tournament by taking down UC Irvine after the Anteaters swept it just a few weeks prior.
The Mustangs are an offensive juggernau,t ranking seventh in team batting average and 21st in wRC+. They're not too shabby on the mound either.
They're very live in their opening matchup against Arizona, as that game opened as pick’em on DraftKings (but there's a better price below).
4. Utah Valley Wolverines: Utah Valley has made the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in school history.
The Wolverines pulled off a series of upsets in the WAC Tournament and are rewarded by facing three teams that are better than any club they’ve seen all season.
This team is a nice story, but it's severely outmatched and will be trounced by any team it faces this weekend. Look to fade with run lines.
Eugene Regional Best Bets
Pick: Oregon to Win Eugene Regional (-175 · DraftKings) · Cal Poly ML -109 vs. Arizona (BetRivers)
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Conway Regional Picks
1
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (13)
2
Florida Gators
3
East Carolina Pirates
4
Fairfield Stags
1. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: Coastal Carolina is one of the hottest teams in the country, coming into the NCAA Tournament on an 18-game winning streak.
The Chanticleers are clicking on all cylinders, and playing in their home park will only aid the bats because they’ve been dynamite on the mound. The Chants rank second in team ERA and third in WHIP.
Their pitching depth will allow them to match up with the two power arms of the Florida Gators. I get that much of their success came against the Sun Belt, but Coastal is a coin-flip at worst against Florida.
2. Florida Gators: Speaking of the Gators, it’s hard to knock them, as they really finished the year strong by picking up series wins over Arkansas and Texas.
The Gators' pitching made a big leap, as both Liam Peterson and Pierce Coppola showed they can shut down some of the nation’s best lineups.
Coastal Carolina will have to contend with one of them, and it will be no picnic. Plus, we should expect the Gators' power to play up in the hitter-friendly confines of Brooks Stadium.
3. East Carolina Pirates: ECU may be the weakest 3-seed in the field. The Pirates picked up their spot after making a run through the AAC Tournament as a 6-seed after finishing 13-14 in conference play.
While they're lacking offensively in this region, ace Ethan Norby is legit and has the potential to keep them in the game against Florida on Friday.
The Gators are big favorites, but Norby opens up a run line if we get them at +3.5 or even an under at 13.5 or better.
4. Fairfield Stags: The Stags are being overlooked in this region, and as the 4-seed, that's common. However, they could benefit greatly from hitting in Conway.
Fairfield is a solid offense, averaging 8.3 runs per game while ranking 56th in wRC+. I’ll be looking to back this team on Saturday against ECU, as it should only be a slight underdog.
Conway Regional Best Bets
Pick: Coastal Carolina to Win Conway Regional (+120 · DraftKings) · East Carolina Run Line +3.5 or Better vs. Florida · East Carolina vs. Florida Under 13.5 or Better
Knoxville Regional Picks
1
Tennessee Volunteers (14)
2
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
3
Cincinnati Bearcats
4
Miami (OH) RedHawks
1. Tennessee Volunteers: When it comes to pitching depth, there aren't many teams with more of it than the Volunteers. They have the best pitcher in the country in Liam Doyle and a bunch of flamethrowers behind him.
Although, the Tennessee bats are also elite, as they rank fourth in wRC+ and seventh in OPS.
The Vols are a team I’ve had a College World Series ticket on for a while, and their potential Super Regional matchup with Arkansas has created value on them again.
They're going to be competitive in that series and are worth a flyer to make a deep run into Omaha.
2. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: The Deacs are an interesting draw as a 2-seed in Knoxville. Their lineup flashed a ton of power this season, and they have a bona fide ace in Logan Lunceford.
However, it’s going to be difficult for them to match up with the Vols because they don’t have the pitching depth. While it's possible they slug their way through the region, I have a hard time seeing them do that twice against Tennessee.
3. Cincinnati Bearcats: This Cincinnati club is a bit overinflated by RPI. This team didn't prove very much despite playing the 17th-toughest schedule in the country.
The Bearcats were swept by Arizona and West Virginia while also losing a series to TCU. None of their wins are more notable than their losses, and on paper, they're average on both sides of the ball.
I don’t see them getting past Wake if Lunceford is on the mound Friday.
4. Miami (OH) RedHawks: What’s the NCAA Tournament without a little MACtion? The RedHawks should be a solid representative of the MAC, as they went 23-7 in conference play and earned a win over Kentucky.
However, Cincinnati swept the season series against them because Miami has a glaring issue on the bump. The RedHawks posted a team ERA of 6.31, and that’s not a number you want to take in against any of the three lineups in this region.
Knoxville Regional Best Bets
Pick: Tennessee to Win College World Series (+1200 · bet365) · Wake Forest ML -160 vs. Cincinnati (DraftKings)
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Los Angeles Regional Picks
1
UCLA Bruins (15)
2
UC Irvine Anteaters
3
Arizona State Sun Devils
4
Fresno State Bulldogs
1. UCLA Bruins: At first glance, the Bruins appear to be an underrated host team. Their resume is rock-solid, with their only notable losses coming against Oregon.
I have slight concerns about their starting pitching, though. They're due for regression as a whole and will face some powerful lineups in UC Irvine and Arizona State.
However, UCLA is no slouch at the dish itself. It averaged 7.9 runs per game and ranked 25th in wRC+.
2. UC Irvine Anteaters: The Anteaters got their automatic bid stolen from them by Cal Poly, but that doesn’t take away from their very impressive 2025 campaign.
UC Irvine comes in with an RPI of 24 and ranks 10th in wRC+. On top of that, its starting rotation improved vastly as the year progressed. In fact, it was the bullpen that cost them in the Big West Tournament.
The opening matchup against Arizona State should be a great one, as both teams are evenly matched.
3. Arizona State Sun Devils: This team has upside, as it ranked 12th in batting average and 28th in OPS.
However, ASU was very inconsistent on the mound. Its staff ERA comes in at 92nd, but it's due for massive positive regression, ranking ninth in xFIP and 11th in SIERA.
The Sun Devils have the talent to come out of this region. Their numbers say they can, but their resume makes me want to minimize any investment in them.
4. Fresno State Bulldogs: Fresno State is one of the strongest 4-seeds in terms of strength of schedule. At 89th, they played TCU, Cal Poly and Saint Mary’s, but the issue is they didn't record a win in any of those games.
It’s odd because they don’t lack talent anywhere. They have three players with double-digit homers who hit over .300 and two starting pitchers who racked up over 100 strikeouts on the season.
It will be interesting to see if they finally put it all together and upset a quality opponent.
Los Angeles Regional Best Bets
Pick: UCLA to Win Los Angeles Regional (-106 · BetRivers) · Arizona State to Win Los Angeles Regional (+400 · bet365)
Hattiesburg Regional Picks
1
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (16)
2
Alabama Crimson Tide
3
Miami Hurricanes
4
Columbia Lions
1. Southern Miss Golden Eagles: The Golden Eagles ran into a buzzsaw in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship, as Coastal Carolina extended its winning streak to 18 while Southern Miss’ ended at 18.
Southern Miss is underrated because of its conference, but a team that ranked 12th in wRC+ and 15th in ERA is legit. Yes, it lost to Ole Miss and Alabama, but those were midweek matchups. USM also took a weekend series on the road against TCU.
The Golden Eagles are going to earn some national respect this weekend.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama is a true wild card in the field, as they enter with an RPI rank of ninth. However, their handful of wins over elite SEC teams has overinflated their resume.
While they certainly have the talent to compete with any team in the country, their low batting average and bullpen inconsistencies make the gap between them and Southern Miss larger than the odds portray.
3. Miami Hurricanes: Speaking of teams with overrated resumes, look no further than the Miami Hurricanes. Yes, they played the fifth-toughest schedule and had to deal with the elite of the ACC.
However, their lack of success against those elite teams — plus nonconference struggles — doesn't lead me to believe they'll have much success in this Regional.
4. Columbia Lions: Last but not least, we have the Columbia Lions. The Lions ended their season on a nine-game winning streak, but their pitching is a major concern.
Columbia owns a staff ERA of 6.57 and a WHIP of 1.72. Those numbers came against way worse competition than what it'll see in Hattiesburg.
Hattiesburg Regional Best Bets
Pick: Southern Miss to Win Hattiesburg Regional (+120 · DraftKings)
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