Well, we made it. We are officially on the Road to Omaha as the field of 64 for the NCAA College Baseball Tournament is set.
Out of the 64 teams in the field, only 16 will make it to next week's Super Regionals.
To prepare for the most action-packed weekend of the year, let's take a look at my college baseball picks and NCAA Regionals predictions for all 16 Regionals.
College Baseball Picks for NCAA Regionals
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Los Angeles Regional Picks
1
UCLA Bruins (1)
2
Virginia Tech Hokies
3
Cal Poly Mustangs
4
Saint Mary's Gaels
1. UCLA Bruins: The Bruins went wire-to-wire at the top of the rankings, putting together a dominant campaign that saw them go 51-6 without losing a single series all season long.
This is the most complete team in the country. They have star power at shortstop in Roch Cholowsky, along with a tremendous supporting cast of bats with power that also provide plenty of excellent defense.
They all support one of the nation’s best pitching staffs.
The Bruins rank second in the nation in ERA and 19th in strikeout percentage. Ace Logan Reddemann led the way for the staff, going 8-0 with a 2.87 ERA while striking out 35.7% of batters.
While Reddemann has been down with an injury coming into the tournament, UCLA head coach John Savage is hopeful that he will return.
In his absence, we’ve seen Wylan Moss step up in a big way, while a quartet of other arms has made the Bruins the deepest staff in the country.
UCLA is the favorite to win the College World Series, and it should have no issues making it through its Regional.
2. Virginia Tech Hokies: The Hokies' seeding is about as big a surprise as any in the field. This team was .500 in ACC play and has an RPI of 43.
Yes, they had to contend with a strong ACC, but there’s nothing that stands out about this team that makes them deserving of a 2-seed. They ranked 77th in wRC+ and 127th in batting average.
That production isn't enough to make it through a tournament, especially when your pitching staff ranks 224th in ERA, allowing nearly seven runs per game.
Virginia Tech's inconsistencies on the mound have them looking at a real possibility of being two and barbecue in this Regional.
3. Cal Poly Mustangs: The Cal Poly Mustangs are the team to watch in this Regional, aside from the Bruins.
The back-to-back Big West champs bring a solid amount of arms that allow them to compete with any team in the country.
Winning multiple games in this Regional is going to come down to the bats. Leading the way is catcher Ryan Tayman, who slugged 16 homers and holds a 1.108 OPS on the season.
However, after him, production in the lineup drops off quite a bit, as the Mustangs as a whole tend to be aggressive at the plate and capitalize on power while sacrificing the ability to create traffic.
If the Mustangs' rotation stays on schedule, there's going to be value on them with Griffin Naess on the mound against Virginia Tech.
4. Saint Mary's Gaels: It’s great to see the Gaels in the field again as the back-to-back WCC champions.
While they're faced with a daunting opening matchup against UCLA, this Saint Mary’s team has the tools to be scrappy against Virginia Tech and Cal Poly.
This team can flat-out hit, ranking 14th in wRC+ and third in batting average while holding the eighth-lowest strikeout rate in the country.
The Bruins are certainly going to be the toughest set of arms they’ve seen all year, but don't be surprised to see the Gaels pick up a win in this Regional.
Los Angeles Regional Best Bets
- UCLA to Make College World Series (-300 · Parlay Piece)
- Cal Poly +100 vs. Virginia Tech (theScore Bet)
- UCLA vs. Saint Mary's Over 11.5 or Better
Atlanta Regional Picks
1
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2)
2
Oklahoma Sooners
3
The Citadel Bulldogs
4
UIC Flames
1. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: While I’m not one to take a victory lap on any of our wagers, it does feel really nice to have the No. 2 overall national seed at 28-1 to win the College World Series in your pocket, especially when they enter the field of 64 at 4-1.
The Yellow Jackets boast one of the best lineups we've seen in recent history. They come into this postseason first in runs per game, wRC+, average, OPS, OBP and slugging percentage.
Coming into the year, the offense production was to be expected, but what has helped them make the leap is the development of the men on the mound.
Tate McKee has led the way as a fireballing ace, but Mason Patel has proven effective as a swingman, and the addition of Justin Shadek and Dylan Loy has been the key.
This isn’t a typical avenue for success, but the Yellow Jackets are not your typical offensive team. They may be able to mash their way to a national title.
2. Oklahoma Sooners: The Sooners enter this postseason with a wide range of possible outcomes. We’ve seen them play up and down to the level of their competition.
Their lineup has shown they can score runs in bunches, but their high strikeout rate (268th nationally) has put a damper on many rallies.
The X-factor for this team is starter Cameron Johnson. The lefty has looked lethal on many occasions, pitching to a 3.86 ERA while striking out nearly 29% of batters. However, he and the rest of the Sooners staff are not immune to command issues.
The volatility of this team gives them the potential to upset the Yellow Jackets or be upset by The Citadel just as easily.
3. The Citadel Bulldogs: The SoCon bid-stealers come into the postseason with a ton of momentum. They upset Mercer multiple times to punch their ticket, but moving any further would be shocking, to say the least.
To their credit, these Bulldogs are fairly well-tested, with an RPI of 41 and an SOS of 51. That makes their rank of 42nd in runs allowed per game very respectable.
But even if their pitching remains consistent, their bats are a massive question mark. The Citadel is well below average in every offensive category and has almost no pop in the lineup, with its slugging percentage at 229th.
Ace Will Holmes gives the Bulldogs a shot in their opener against Oklahoma, but if they do compete in that matchup, the under may be the strongest angle.
4. UIC Flames: Speaking of bid-stealers, the UIC Flames caught fire in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and earned their spot in the field of 64.
It was their first MVC Tournament title, and this will be their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.
Unfortunately for the Flames, they're far from a Cinderella pick. They're going to be overmatched in this rRgional, as they went 4-9 against Q1 teams and were .500 on the season despite having a strength of schedule of 288.
Atlanta Regional Best Bets
- Oklahoma ML -160 vs. The Citadel (bet365)
- Oklahoma vs. The Citadel Under 12.5 or Better
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Athens Regional Picks
1
Georgia Bulldogs (3)
2
Boston College Eagles
3
Liberty Flames
4
LIU Sharks
1. Georgia Bulldogs: It’s time to pat yourself on the back if you joined me in grabbing the Dawgs preseason to win the College World Series at 18-1.
Georgia is hosting its third consecutive Regional, and its team profile over the past few seasons has been apparent. This team can absolutely mash.
The Bulldogs lead the nation in home runs and rank second in wRC+ and fourth in runs per game. However, what sets this Georgia team apart from years past is the pitching depth.
Ace Joey Volchko has been stellar, but it’s arms like Dylan Vigue, Matt Scott, and Caden Aoki who have helped round out this program.
The Bulldogs are built for success in a double-elimination format and have all the tools to make a run through Omaha.
2. Boston College Eagles: It’s time for some Bird Ball in the NCAA Tournament, as the Boston College Eagles make their first tournament appearance since 2023.
Boston College made some noise last year in the ACC Tournament, and that veteran leadership from A.J. Colarusso, combined with an aggressive lineup that stole 139 bases this year, led to a scrappy 2026 club that showed it can compete with the toughest teams in the nation.
However, its aggressiveness on the basepaths can only do so much if the bats struggle to reach base.
On top of that, its staff doesn't miss many bats, so if the Eagles don’t hit, we could see them face large deficits in this Regional.
3. Liberty Flames: Don’t let the insurance jingle fool you, the Liberty Flames are legit and arguably should be a No. 2 seed.
The Flames have a dangerous 1-2 punch on the mound in the form of Ben Blair and Bradley Zayac. Blair holds a 2.40 SIERA and a 29.4% strikeout rate over 87 innings this season.
Meanwhile, Zayac went 9-0 with a 3.36 ERA and also broke the 80-inning mark.
These two, combined with a solid bullpen, have allowed the Flames to keep their opposition at bay while waiting for the bats to come around.
Now, that's not a recipe for success against Georgia, but Liberty should handle Boston College in its opener.
4. LIU Sharks: It’s safe to say that the Long Island Sharks are not new to this. They're set to make their third NCAA Tournament appearance in five years, and we all remember how they pushed UNC to their limit last season.
However, having to face Georgia out of the gate is going to expose their issues on the mound. The Sharks rank 214th in ERA and don’t miss bats, sitting 229th in strikeout rate.
That's a recipe for disaster against Georgia and any other team in this region. While Long Island has formed a winning pedigree in the NEC, the gap between them and the rest of the region will be very apparent.
Athens Regional Best Bets
- Georgia vs LIU Over 15.5 or Better
- Liberty ML -120 vs. Boston College (bet365)
- LIU vs. Boston College Over 12.5 or Better
Auburn Regional Picks
1
Auburn Tigers (4)
2
UCF Knights
3
NC State Wolfpack
4
Milwaukee Panthers
1. Auburn Tigers: The Auburn Tigers are, on paper, the most battle-tested team in the field. They played the toughest schedule in the country and finished with an RPI of 3.
Auburn’s backbone is its pitching staff, finishing fourth in ERA, second in WHIP, and fourth in K-BB Rate.
However, this team can mash as well. The Tigers finished 58th in homers and 51st in average.
With the strength of the men on the mound, putting up crooked numbers wasn't always necessary for the Tigers to win, and that’s experience that can take them very far.
They should cruise in their opener to set up an intriguing matchup against UCF. I would think the Tigers pitch off on Friday, saving ace Jake Marciano for the Knights.
If that’s the case, we should see them make it through this Regional unscathed.
2. UCF Knights: The Knights are a trendy team to keep your eye on in this Regional, as their resume speaks for itself. UCF played the 13th-toughest schedule in the country and comes into this tournament with an RPI of 36.
They have a tremendous trio of starting pitchers that gives them the ability to hang with elite competition. Their lineup lags far behind, though, ranking 153rd in wRC+ and 165th in home runs.
Their opening game against NC State has the potential to be a high-variance matchup and will drastically shift the Regional, depending on who comes out on top.
It'll be interesting to see these Knights square off against Auburn in what should be a pitcher’s duel.
3. NC State Wolfpack: The Wolfpack were another interesting addition by the committee, as they're a team with a pedigree, but injuries to their starting rotation significantly impacted them in ACC play.
While their pitching is much more of a question mark than it once was, NC State still has plenty of pop in its lineup. The Wolfpack finished inside the top 50 in every major offensive category.
Their opening matchup with UCF is one of the most intriguing on the slate, as both teams have opposite paths to victory.
The game opened as a pick’em with juice on both sides, so don’t be surprised if the Wolfpack mash their way to a Saturday matchup with the Tigers.
4. Milwaukee Panthers: The Horizon League champs, the Milwaukee Panthers, showed grit to earn a bid. However, they still finished entering the tournament with a sub-.500 record and the second-lowest RPI in the field.
This team has nothing to lose, but lose is what they will do in this Regional. The three teams they’re grouped with are simply better baseball teams.
Auburn Regional Best Bets
- Auburn to Win College World Series (+1100 · BetRivers)
- Auburn + UCLA to Make CWS Parlay (+135 · DraftKings)
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Chapel Hill Regional Picks
1
North Carolina Tar Heels (5)
2
Tennessee Volunteers
3
East Carolina Pirates
4
VCU Rams
1. North Carolina Tar Heels: The Tar Heels are hosting their third straight Regional as their core has propelled them back into the upper echelon of the sport.
North Carolina’s pitching staff is both deep and experienced, led by Jason DeCaro, who’s arguably the most consistent arm in the country.
At the plate, this UNC lineup doesn’t possess the pop like in years past, but they're disciplined and excel at creating traffic on the basepaths in order to push runs across.
In the end, North Carolina's pitching depth gives them a huge edge in this double-elimination format, which will make them a tough out at every stage of the postseason.
2. Tennessee Volunteers: In Year 1 without Tony Vitello, the Volunteers are back in the postseason despite all the rebuilding that happened after Vitello’s departure.
This team is far from the powerhouse host we’ve seen in years past, but it's still very dangerous. The Vols hit the seventh-most homers in the nation, ranked ninth in WHIP, and finished 14th in strikeout rate on the mound.
So, while the star power may not be the same, this team can't be overlooked.
With ace Tegan Kuhns on the mound Friday and Evan Blanco getting the ball in Game 2, expect the Volunteers to test any team in front of them.
3. East Carolina Pirates: East Carolina has become a staple in the college baseball postseason, as it's set to make its eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Pirates are a team that plays with a ton of grit under head coach Cliff Godwin and have become one of the toughest teams to face at home in “The Jungle.”
However, they'll be on the road throughout this one, and without that X-factor, you can poke holes in the American Conference champs.
Their lineup is excellent at putting the ball in play, but they don’t do it with much authority, ranking 137th in homers this year.
Then, on the mound, ace Ethan Norby showed some inconsistency, pitching to a 4.20 ERA. The big innings overshadowed many of his more dominant outings.
If Norby is unable to keep the ball in the yard against Tennessee, the Pirates don’t have the power to punch back.
That issue limits their upside severely in this Regional.
4. VCU Rams: The Atlantic 10 champs, the VCU Rams, are known for their Cinderella runs on the hardwood, but they're here to prove they can rise to the occasion on the diamond.
VCU is the strongest 4-seed in the field with an RPI of 84. This club is very well-rounded and features a stud in Jacob Lee, who hit .342 with a 1.110 OPS this season.
With their ace, Patrick Steitz, on the mound against North Carolina, the Rams could give the Tar Heels a scare, especially if the game is lower scoring.
Chapel Hill Regional Best Bets
- Tennessee ML -135 vs. East Carolina (bet365)
- VCU Run Line +2.5 or Better vs. UNC
Austin Regional Picks
1
Texas Longhorns (6)
2
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
3
Tarleton State Texans
4
Holy Cross Crusaders
1. Texas Longhorns: My final preseason victory lap of this preview comes with the Texas Longhorns. I have the Longhorns in the pocket to win the College World Series at 15 to 1 when they enter the NCAA Tournament around 6 to 1.
Texas possesses one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country, as they not only have a bevy of quality starting options, but more than a few flamethrowers out of the bullpen to go along.
While the men on the mound are the backbone of the team, there is plenty of talent at the plate with Aiden Robbins and Carson Tinney leading the lineup that ranks 19th in wRC+.
The Longhorns got a fortunate draw, as they will roll in their opener and may even avoid Jackson Flora on Saturday as they cruise to a Super Regional.
2. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos: You cannot even begin to talk about UC Santa Barbara without mentioning Jackson Flora. Flora is the best arm in the country as he wiped out his opposition, pitching to a 1.05 ERA over 94 innings and striking out 33 percent of the hitters he faced.
While Flora headlines the staff, the Guachos were tremendous overall on the bump, ranking third in FIP and strikeout rate, and 12th in runs allowed per game.
Their elite pitching staff made the lineup's job easy. However, at this stage, their lack of run production will be their downfall.
UCSB ranks 214th in runs scored per game and 183rd in wRC+. That is not going to be good enough to get the job done against the Longhorns or perhaps even in their opening matchup against Tarleton State.
The biggest question is, when will we see Jackson Flora? I don’t think the Guachos can afford to pitch off and save him for a Saturday date with the Longhorns, as the next team in this region is plenty dangerous.
3. Tarleton State Texans: The Tarleton State Texans are making their first NCAA Division 1 Tournament appearance after winning both the regular season and conference tournament titles in the WAC.
The Texans come into this postseason with a ton of confidence and momentum as they have the bats to slug it out. They rank 66th in wRC+ and 64th in slugging percentage while averaging over seven runs per game.
Their pitching is the area of the club that is untested, but Ethan Wendel, Cort Lowery, and a bullpen with a collective ERA of 4.93 should be able to keep them close.
It’s clear the Texas are live in their opener against UCSB, especially if Flora is not on the mound fo the Gauchos.
4. Holy Cross Crusaders: The Crusaders are far from newcomers to the NCAA Tournament, as this will be their third appearance in five years.
However, their outlook in this regional is bleak. Their sub. 500 record against a schedule that ranked 250th is appalling.
This team is well below average across the board and is likely to get blown out in their first two games.
Austin Regional Best Bets
- Tarleton State ML +130 vs. UCSB (bet365)
- Texas Run Line -4.5 or Better vs. Holy Cross
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Tuscaloosa Regional Picks
1
Alabama Crimson Tide (7)
2
Oklahoma State Cowboys
3
USC Upstate Spartans
4
Alabama State Hornets
1. Alabama Crimson Tide: The Alabama Crimson Tide are set to host their first Regional since 2003 and earned their highest national seed in 20 years.
Resume-wise, there aren’t many better than Bama’s, holding an RPI of 6 after playing the second-toughest schedule. However, statistically, this is not a team that jumps off the page.
Top 2027 MLB Draft prospect Justin Lebron leads the lineup, but outside of him is a myriad of streaky contributors who combined to hit .276 and rank 173rd in runs per game.
Their pitching staff kept them alive in the SEC, as Tyler Fay had a career year that included a no-hitter against Florida.
For the Tide to move on, the lineup will have to get hot and stay hot, but that’s far easier said than done against the next few teams in this Regional.
2. Oklahoma State Cowboys: The Oklahoma State Cowboys come in red-hot as head coach Josh Holliday has them peaking at the right time. They’ve won 16 of their last 22 ballgames.
The Pokes boast a solid three-man rotation with the highest SIERA amongst them being just 3.49.
The depth and effectiveness they’ve provided have allowed the bats to come around with thunder. In fact, Kollin Ritchie hit the second-most homers in the country with 29.
Oklahoma State is the team to buy in this Regional. It's far better on paper than the hosts.
3. USC Upstate Spartans: The Spartans are now back-to-back Big South champs, and they bring a solid lineup to this Regional.
This team will have to hit its way to an upset, but it's most certainly capable of that, ranking 57th in wRC+ and 49th in runs per game.
The pitching is a big question mark, as its staff as a whole doesn't miss bats and allows over six runs per game.
It will be interesting to see if it can get to Oklahoma State's starter in the opening matchup. If so, that game will be a slugfest.
4. Alabama State Hornets: The Hornets get to bring the in-state rivalry to Tuscaloosa after they secured their second SWAC Championship in program history.
While Alabama State’s numbers are much better than some of the other 4-seeds we’ve covered, they haven't been tested much, ranking 269th in strength of schedule.
The low level of competition only makes their below-average pitching totals more troubling. A staff that ranks 237th in WHIP and 262nd in strikeout rate isn't going to have much success against the power that's latent in this Regional.
Tuscaloosa Regional Best Bets
- Oklahoma State to Win Tuscaloosa Regional (+180 · BetRivers)
- Oklahoma State vs. USC Upstate Over 13.5 or Better
Gainesville Regional Picks
1
Florida Gators (8)
2
Miami Hurricanes
3
Troy Trojans
4
Rider Broncs
1. Florida Gators: Over the last few seasons, the Florida Gators have given their fans headaches with streaky play, but Kevin O’Sullivan has his crew playing their best ball entering the postseason.
Their lineup is loaded with experience and plenty of power, but what has really helped this team put it all together is the bullpen.
As a staff, the Gators rank second in FIP and have provided tremendous support to starters Aidan King and Liam Peterson.
So, while Florida can mash, it’s the pitching that gives it an edge against these next few teams that can swing it just as well.
2. Miami Hurricanes: The Hurricanes were a team I was high on entering the season, as their lineup is formidable.
However, the loss of Daniel Cuvet is a significant blow, and while the Hurricanes have hit well without him, his presence is a true difference-maker.
Although, the offense is still not the main concern for the Hurricanes in this Regional. If Miami wants to get past its rival, it needs starters Rob Evans and AJ Ciscar to pitch to their potential.
Evans missed some time with injury but was nasty when on the hill, striking out over 27% of the batters he faced on the way to holding a 2.92 SIERA. Ciscar wasn't far behind him.
The Canes' fate in this Regional rests on their arms. They’ll be tasked with two tough lineups, the first being this next seed that nearly took home the Sun Belt title.
3. Troy Trojans: The Trojans showed that they're not to be overlooked as they pushed the Southern Miss Golden Eagles to the brink in the Sun Belt Tournament.
Troy is another team in this Regional that can mash, as it finished 48th in homers and 66th in wRC+.
With ace Tommy Egan on the mound, the Trojans will have the Hurricanes on upset watch.
4. Rider Broncs: The Broncs are the first team in program history to win both the MAAC regular-season and MAAC Tournament titles.
As is the theme in this region, the Broncs can swing it. They rank 97th in wRC+ and 47th in runs per game. However, the level of competition they’ve faced can't be compared to that of the rest of the region.
While Rider is respectable on paper, we should expect them to look overmatched.
Gainesville Regional Best Bets
- Florida to Make College World Series (+110 · DraftKings)
- Troy Run Line vs. Miami
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Hattiesburg Regional Picks
1
Southern Miss Golden Eagles (9)
2
Virginia Cavaliers
3
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
4
Little Rock Trojans
1. Southern Miss Golden Eagles: Southern Miss has become the standard for mid-majors, as it's set to host its second consecutive Regional.
The Golden Eagles boast an experienced lineup that has plenty of pop, but their success in this Regional is going to start with the men on the mound.
Southern Miss has two excellent starters in Grayden Harris and Camden Sunstrom, who both hold SIERAs under 3.00. They're backed by a dynamite bullpen with a collective ERA of 3.68.
On top of all this, the host advantage is real for the Golden Eagles, as they went 23-5 at home this season.
After their battles with Troy in the Sun Belt Tournament, Southern Miss may be undervalued to advance.
2. Virginia Cavaliers: The Virginia Cavaliers are an intriguing 2-seed, as they had plenty of nonconference success in Chris Pollard’s first season at the helm.
Their sub-.500 record in ACC play has skewed their public perception, but this team is dangerous. They have a veteran lineup that ranked 20th in homers, 14th in walk rate and 51st in wRC+.
Those bats support a solid rotation led by Henry Zatkowski, who went 8-1 this season with a 2.85 SIERA.
While the Cavaliers are being overlooked, it’s for good reason, as the next team in this Regional may be the most underseeded team in the entire field.
3. Jacksonville State Gamecocks: The Jacksonville State Gamecocks come into the postseason after racking up 46 wins and earning an RPI of 24, one ahead of Virginia.
The Gamecocks are another well-rounded mid-major program that retooled to perfection thanks to the transfer portal.
They're similar to the Golden Eagles production-wise, making for a solid matchup. The Gamecocks have a tremendous pitching staff, led by ace Steven Cash, who pitched to a 2.94 ERA this season.
However, their excellent bullpen depth will keep them in games and allow their lineup, which sits at 66th in wRC+, to capitalize.
4. Little Rock Trojans: The Trojans from the Ohio Valley Conference are set to make their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after winning a school record 36 games.
On paper, Little Rock is one of the strongest 4-seeds with an RPI of 89 and a strength of schedule of 119, but it remains to be seen if its lineup can step up, especially against a staff like Southern Miss’ in their opening game.
Hattiesburg Regional Best Bets
- Southern Miss to Win Hattiesburg Regional (-110 · DraftKings)
- Jacksonville State to Win Hattiesburg Regional (+270 · theScore Bet)
- Southern Miss Run Line -3.5 or Better vs. Little Rock
Tallahassee Regional Picks
1
Florida State Seminoles (10)
2
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
3
Northern Illinois Huskies
4
St. John's Red Storm
1. Florida State Seminoles: The Seminoles are set to host their NCAA record 38th Regional after racking up 38 wins against the fifth-toughest schedule in the country.
This Florida State team lacks the star power we’ve seen in years past, but we’ve seen the bats step up, especially in the absence of Myles Bailey, who was in the midst of a breakout season before his injury in March.
The Seminoles got a fortuitous draw. This is a team that will go as far as their arms can take them.
Wes Mendes, Trey Beard, and Bryson Moore are as good a trio as a team could ask for on the mound, and we should see them feast because no other team in the Regional has a wRC+ ranking higher than 97th.
If the Seminoles' bats can play up and their pitching stays consistent, this team could have few issues in this Regional and beyond.
2. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers: It was a tumultuous season for the Chanticleers as they suffered a bevy of key injuries to their pitching staff.
Being without Cameron Flukey and Hayden Johnson for an extended stretch put this team in a tough spot.
While Flukey has returned, he has yet to look like he did last year. Considering how much the lineup dropped off from last season, the Chants are a questionable 2-seed.
Coastal ranks 132nd in wRC+ and 211th in batting average. If their arms don’t play up, it’s hard to see the Chants threatening to come out of this Regional.
3. Northern Illinois Huskies: The Northern Illinois Huskies represent the return of the MAC after capturing their first conference title in program history.
While the Huskies hold an RPI of 78, there’s not much that jumps off the page when looking at this team.
They're in trouble against Coastal in their opener and will have a tough time with the next team in this Regional, too.
4. St. John's Red Storm: The Red Storm are rolling into the NCAA Tournament on a five-game winning streak that helped them capture a Big East Tournament title.
It will be interesting to see if St. John’s can stay hot at the dish. Its pitching staff thrives on generating soft contact, which profiles well against other lineups.
Expect the Jonnies to make some noise throughout the weekend.
Tallahassee Regional Best Bets
- Florida State to Make College World Series (+150 · DraftKings)
- St. John’s ML vs. Northern Illinois
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Eugene Regional Picks
1
Oregon Ducks (11)
2
Oregon State Beavers
3
Washington State Cougars
4
Yale Bulldogs
1. Oregon Ducks: The Oregon Ducks are riding high into this Regional after pushing the UCLA Bruins to the brink in the Big Ten Tournament.
They bring plenty of power to their home park, as they bashed the 16th-most homers in the country, all while supporting a staff that finished 15th in team ERA, led by stud ace Will Sanford.
The Ducks have depth across all areas and are bound to prove they deserve a higher national seed than the 11th.
2. Oregon State Beavers: The Beavers were a team that I grabbed to make the College World Series preseason, but their outlook has changed drastically without star pitcher Dax Whitney.
The loss of Whitney can't be understated, as he dominated every time out. However, his rotation mates, Eric Segura and Ethan Kleinschmit, picked up the slack and helped Oregon State rank first in ERA, WHIP and strikeout rate.
While their pitching is bound to keep games tight, their mediocre lineup — outside of stud catcher Jacob Galloway — doesn’t give me much confidence in their ability to take down the Ducks.
3. Washington State Cougars: The Washington State Cougars remain on the hunt after stealing a bid from San Diego State, beating the Aztecs twice in the Mountain West Tournament.
The Cougars got plenty of timely contributions to get them to this point, but they don't match up well against their former Pac-12 foes.
They would need some miraculous pitching performances to make noise in Eugene.
4. Yale Bulldogs: The Yale Bulldogs are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.
The Bulldogs rolled through the Ivy League Tournament and enter this Regional on a seven-game winning streak.
They play a brand of ball that could keep them close all weekend, as they put the ball in play a ton and limit the traffic on the basepaths.
Eugene Regional Best Bets
- Oregon to Win Eugene Regional (-125 · DraftKings)
- Oregon State vs. Washington State Under 9.5 or Better
- Yale ML vs. Washington State
College Station Regional Picks
1
Texas A&M Aggies (12)
2
USC Trojans
3
Texas State Bobcats
4
Lamar Cardinals
1. Texas A&M Aggies: After years of coming up just short under Jim Schlossnagle, head coach Michael Earley has the Aggies hosting once again.
A&M has advanced each of the last nine times it has hosted a Regional, and it's poised to do so again behind a rejuvenated lineup.
Gavin Grahovac and Caden Sorrell have become household names in College Station, as the duo combined to hit .342 with 42 homers.
We should fully expect the Aggies to hit well at Blue Bell Park, but this team will only go as far as its pitching can take it.
After Aiden Sims, consistency has been hard to find. However, consistency on the mound is exactly what the next team in this Regional has.
2. USC Trojans: When it comes to pitching, it’s hard to find a team better than the USC Trojans. They finished the season first in runs allowed per game, fifth in ERA and fourth in WHIP.
Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Mason Edwards and Grant Govel are arguably the best one-two punch in the field, boasting a combined record of 18-2 and an ERA of 2.14.
There’s also a cavalry of great arms after them who have shown they can contain teams as good as UCLA.
However, USC is not a one-trick pony; the Trojans also ranked 48th in homers. Their ability to strike quickly makes the pressure their pitching staff puts on even heavier.
The Trojans' depth puts them in a great spot to succeed this postseason.
3. Texas State Bobcats: Speaking of power, the Texas State Bobcats have made their living off the long-ball this season.
They mashed the seventh-most homers in the country, and that power propelled them to multiple upsets against a schedule as tough as any other team's in this Regional.
However, it’s likely we’ll see the Bobcats have a power outage against USC in their opener, which will put them in a tough spot. Their starter doesn’t provide much length, and the bullpen holds a collective ERA of 6.52.
4. Lamar Cardinals: The best of the Southland Conference, the Lamar Cardinals, are no strangers to upsets, as they’ve consistently pulled off midweek wins against Texas schools.
However, in this format, the task is much taller. The Cardinals' lineup is very overmatched in this Regional, as they rank 253rd in runs scored per game and 244th in wRC+.
So, even if they get decent outings from Chris Olivier and Travis Lutz, it’s likely the Aggies and Bobcats will be the ones to break out on the scoreboard.
College Station Regional Best Bets
- USC to Win College Station Regional (+220 · BetRivers)
- USC Run Line vs. Texas State
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Lincoln Regional Picks
1
Nebraska Cornhuskers (13)
2
Ole Miss Rebels
3
Arizona State Sun Devils
4
South Dakota State Jackrabbits
1. Nebraska Cornhuskers: The region is loaded, and it starts with the Cornhuskers. Nebraska will be hosting its first Regional since 2008, and it's in for a battle.
Resume-wise, the Cornhuskers are very deserving, holding an RPI of 10 and a strength of schedule of 43, with a number of impressive victories like a sweep of USC.
However, a closer look at the numbers shows the Cornhuskers have a glaring weakness with their bullpen.
Their bullpen ERA of 5.33 is a big issue when facing the level of power bats they'll see in this Regional. So, while their starters have been great, if any falter, the games against the No. 2 or No. 3 seeds could get away from them.
2. Ole Miss Rebels: Speaking of the No. 2 seed in this Regional, the Ole Miss Rebels are being very underrated here.
They hold an RPI of 18 after playing the third-toughest schedule in the country and have some impressive numbers to go along with that.
They rank 18th in homers, 30th in ERA and fourth in strikeout rate. Their pitching staff, behind veteran Hunter Elliott, made massive strides this season.
The Rebels' pitching gives them the opportunity to thrive in this format, and the power will be felt eventually.
3. Arizona State Sun Devils: It’s not often you see a 3-seed with as much pedigree as the Arizona State Sun Devils.
ASU’s lineup is formidable, led by Big 12 Player of the Year Landon Hairston, who hit a program record 28 homers.
The power at the plate gets backed up by a power arm on the mound in the form of ace Cole Carlon. Carlon has electric stuff and the ability to shut down any lineup when he’s on.
The issue for this Arizona State team is getting outs when Carlon isn't on the mound. Even with Carlon, the Sun Devils rank 107th in ERA and 168th in walk rate.
Their pitching staff is constantly working around traffic, and that's not what you want to do against lineups in this Regional.
4. South Dakota State Jackrabbits: It’s safe to say the Jackrabbits are in the deep end of the pool after their upset run through the Summit League Tournament.
The Jackrabbits earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 after finishing six games under .500.
Putting it nicely, their outlook is bleak. They don’t have the talent to contain any of the other teams in this Regional.
Lincoln Regional Best Bets
- Ole Miss to Win Lincoln Regional (+175 · BetRivers)
Starkville Regional Picks
1
Mississippi State Bulldogs (14)
2
Cincinnati Bearcats
3
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
4
Lipscomb Bisons
1. Mississippi State Bulldogs: One of the best environments in college baseball gets to host a Regional, as the Mississippi State Bulldogs are back as the No. 14 national seed.
First-year head coach Brian O’Connor has the Bulldogs hosting for the first time since 2021, and they're primed to roll.
Mississippi State’s staff is excellent, ranking 15th in runs allowed per game and fifth in strikeout rate. They’re also supported by one of the most potent lineups in the country, led by Ace Reese.
The Bulldogs sit top-15 in nearly every offensive category, and we'll see their well-rounded dominance in this Regional.
2. Cincinnati Bearcats: The Bearcats clawed their way to a No. 2 seed out of the Big 12. Their ascension stems from a significant uptick in offensive production.
Quinton Coats bashed 28 homers, leading Cincinnati to rankings of 35th in wRC+ and 37th in slugging percentage. Their powerful lineup picked up the slack of the pitching staff, as not many arms outside of ace Nathan Taylor were very consistent.
It would greatly benefit them if they could pitch off in their opening matchup, but judging by the recent form of this next team, they can’t afford to.
3. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns: The upset-minded Ragin’ Cajuns are the perfect 3-seed to cause trouble in Starkville.
We saw them give Coastal Carolina fits down the stretch, containing their lineup enough to the point that they found a way to scratch out some victories.
Doing so against the likes of Mississippi State and Cincinnati is a taller task, but Louisiana's ranking 25th in WHIP shows just how hard it is to generate rallies against its staff.
The Ragin' Cajuns' lineup is below average in every way, but their ability to keep games low-scoring always gives them life.
4. Lipscomb Bisons: The ASUN Tournament champs aren't too far removed from nearly winning a Knoxville Regional with their timely power surge.
Unfortunately for Lipscomb, this year’s version of the Bisons has almost no pop, ranking 272nd in homers and 179th in slugging percentage.
This is simply a team that's stepping into a pond much too big for them in Starkville, and it will be very apparent all weekend.
Starkville Regional Best Bets
- Mississippi State to Win Starkville Regional + Florida State to Win Tallahassee Regional Parlay (-103 · BetRivers)
- Cincinnati vs. Louisiana Under 11.5 or Better
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Lawrence Regional Picks
1
Kansas Jayhawks (15)
2
Arkansas Razorbacks
3
Missouri State Bears
4
Northeastern Huskies
1. Kansas Jayhawks: Kansas is no longer just a basketball school after winning the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament titles.
The Jayhawks' breakthrough earned them their first Regional host bid in program history.
Dan Fitzgerald’s crew is out to prove that it’s no fluke, either. Kansas' numbers and experience speak for themselves, ranking 35th in wRC+ and 16th in homers.
The Jayhawks have a knack for big innings to support a veteran starting rotation headed by Mason Cook and Dominic Voegele.
Their one glaring flaw, however, is the bullpen. The 'pen boasts an ERA of 6.05 and a WHIP of 1.57.
Being unable to shut the door against the other teams in this Regional could prove costly, especially when the next team has really shored up its bullpen.
2. Arkansas Razorbacks: The Razorbacks embark on their 37th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, but this time, they’ll begin on the road after making a strong case to host.
As usual, Arkansas is a team built through its pitching staff, and the depth out of the bullpen is what makes it a true contender in this field.
The lineup has plenty of power, but with that power comes a ton of swings and misses. So, look for the Razorbacks to score suddenly and secure any lead gained in this Regional.
One crucial note: ace Hunter Dietz is expected to be fine after exiting his start in the SEC Tournament early when he was hit by a comebacker.
It would be best for the Razorbacks to hold him for Saturday, as a date with Kansas is likely.
3. Missouri State Bears: When thinking of the Missouri State Bears, offense immediately comes to mind. The Bears bashed their way to an at-large bid from Conference USA.
That alone is a statement, but their numbers are very impressive. They rank 14th in home runs, 11th in slugging percentage, 18th in wRC+ and 22nd in runs per game.
Their run production is elite, but their run prevention is not. Missouri State sits 161st in ERA, and that’s going to lead to some high-scoring affairs in this Regional.
4. Northeastern Huskies: The Huskies are back to represent the CAA for the 12th time in program history, and they're far more game than your typical 4-seed.
Head coach Mike Glavine has built a team that's disciplined and scores without the long-ball. On the mound, they produce soft contact and limit traffic on the bases.
While the Huskies are largely untested with a strength of schedule sitting at 205, they have the trait of a team that could prove very pesky for a first-time host.
Lawrence Regional Best Bets
- Arkansas to Win Lawrence Regional (+165 · theScore Bet)
- Arkansas Run Line -1.5 vs. Missouri State
- Northeastern Run Line +3.5 or Better vs. Kansas
Morgantown Regional Picks
1
West Virginia Mountaineers (16)
2
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
3
Kentucky Wildcats
4
Binghamton Bearcats
1. West Virginia Mountaineers: West Virginia was a team I nailed in the preseason. I had a ticket on the Mountaineers to win the Big 12, and while Country Roads did not lead that ticket home, they're still a dangerous national seed.
Unlike many of the other national seeds, West Virginia doesn't rely on power offensively, ranking just 213th in homers. Instead, it's an elite high-contact team that creates traffic and cashes in with extra-base hits.
That run production helps bolster a phenomenal pitching staff. Maxx Yehl and Chansen Cole ended many series in a hurry, but you could make the argument that they weren’t overly tested with the strength of schedule sitting at 70th.
2. Wake Forest Demon Deacons: If you’re looking for a battle-tested team in this region, look no further than the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The Deacs battled the gauntlet that is the ACC and came out with a record above .500 in conference play.
They did so by being very consistent at the dish, ranking 19th in wRC+, 26th in homers and 35th in runs per game.
Of course, it also helps when you have one of the nastiest pitchers in the country to head up your rotation in Chris Levonas. Levonas pitched to a 2.90 ERA and struck out nearly 39 percent of the batters he faced.
Levonas is expected to start on Friday, and a dominant outing will give them a boost heading into a potential date with the Mountaineers on Saturday.
3. Kentucky Wildcats: Having to contend with Levonas on Friday will be the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats are making their fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, despite a 13-17 record in SEC play.
Kentucky is an easy 3-seed to pick holes in. Its RPI is solid, but for an SEC team, its strength of schedule doesn’t exactly cut it any slack offensively.
The Wildcats rank 66th in wRC+, but they don’t really excel anywhere at the plate. After Tyler Bell, Ethan Hindle and Hudson Brown, the lineup really drops off.
On the mound, Kentucky suffered a big blow when Will Pryor went down, leaving Jaxon Jelkin as its only consistent source of outs on the staff.
The Wildcats have experience, but that's not enough to overcome the power ahead of them.
4. Binghamton Bearcats: The Binghamton Bearcats are back-to-back America East champs who showed out in their conference tournament with stellar pitching.
However, the magnitude of those shutouts thrown in conference play is dwarfed by the Power 4 teams they're set to face in Morgantown.
The Bearcats are largely untested, and it would be a surprise to see them test any of the other teams in this Regional.
Morgantown Regional Best Bets
- Wake Forest to Win Morgantown Regional (+180 · DraftKings)
- Wake Forest ML -170 or Better vs. Kentucky
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