Wednesday night will bring us our first rematch of the College World Series. The Florida State Seminoles are going to be looking for revenge after the LSU Tigers sent them into the loser’s bracket on Saturday. FSU battled back and knocked out Cal State Fullerton on Monday night to stay in Omaha for a little bit longer while LSU was hammered by No. 1 overall seed Oregon State. The first matchup between these two teams was close the whole way and this one should be as well.
This game will take place at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. It will be broadcast on ESPN.
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Pitching Matchup
It will be interesting to see who Florida State uses in this game.
Ace Tyler Holton is likely available, but would be pitching on just three days of rest. He didn’t have his best stuff when he got the start against LSU on Saturday, but will be raring to go is Mike Martin gives him the ball.
The other option for FSU is Cole Sands, but he would likely have a very short leash. He was the Seminoles third starter during the regular season, but has been largely relegated to long relief duty during the postseason.
FSU’s bullpen has been fantastic in Omaha. Alec Byrd, Drew Carlton, and Chase Haney have combined to pitch four innings in two games and have combined to allow three baserunners and no runs.
Jared Poche’ is going to get the start for LSU in a move that is a bit of a surprise.
Poche’ was used for 2 2/3 innings of relief in the first game against the Seminoles, but many thought ace Alex Lange would get the nod again.
He was great against FSU in the opener, allowing just two baserunners during his time on the mound and got the win too. Poche’ isn’t a strikeout pitcher though and the Seminoles will be able to make contact against him.
Eric Walker left the game against Oregon State in the third inning because of a sore arm and it seems unlikely we will see him again soon. That means the bullpen is going to see a lot of action and that Lange will not be available in relief since he would have to start the next game provided LSU wins here.
Hitters to Watch
Dylan Busby keeps picking up big hits in Omaha. The best bat on the Noles hit a two-run shot in the first inning off of Lange when these teams met on Saturday and had a double that helped start FSU’s three-run rally in the seventh. He can hit for average or power and has been the catalyst for this team’s offense all season long.
It helps that FSU as a player in front of Busby that can consistently get on base too. Taylor Walls has reached base six out of 10 times in Omaha thus far. FSU’s lead-off hitter set the school record for most consecutive plate appearances that ended with him getting on base last week and continues to excel.
LSU really struggled from the plate against Oregon State. The Tigers usually superb offense failed to even get a spark going against Bryce Fehmel and now they must win to survive. The four-hit, one-run outing was one of the worst this team has put up all year.
Antoine Duplantis was the hero for LSU in the previous meeting. He reached base three of four times ad is a great base stealer too. He makes a lot of contact, but doesn’t take many walks.
College World Series ATS Pick
It’s hard to beat a team twice in the span of four days. That’s especially so with a bullpen that has to be a little tired after being relied upon extensively in the previous game. FSU fell on its sword in the prior meeting, but will make the most of a second chance and get the win here.
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