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NBC Thursday ? Diamondbacks at Dodgers Odds

Moay, March 23, 2026

The 2026 MLB opener features a high-stakes division rivalry between the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers and an Arizona Diamondbacks squad looking to reestablish itself in the National League West.

The pitching matchup centers on two of the game's elite right-handers. Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for the Dodgers, coming off a season where he solidified his status as a frontline ace. He will face Zac Gallen, who remains the cornerstone of the Arizona rotation. Success for Gallen will depend on his ability to navigate a Los Angeles lineup that remains one of the most potent in baseball history.

Arizona enters this contest with a strategy built on speed and defensive range. They will look to put pressure on the Dodgers early by utilizing their aggressive base running to manufacture runs. Conversely, the Dodgers rely on their ability to drive the ball out of the park and wear down opposing starters with disciplined plate appearances.

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Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers Betting at Bookmaker

The Arizona Diamondbacks play the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, March 26, 2026. This Opening Day matchup is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

NBC and Peacock will provide national media coverage for this contest. This broadcast features Bob Costas on the play-by-play call with recently retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw providing color commentary from the booth.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager Torey Lovullo returns for his tenth season at the helm, leading a roster characterized by a potent top-of-the-order offense but significant questions surrounding pitching depth and health.

The strength of the team remains its core trio of Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Geraldo Perdomo. Marte is coming off a massive 2025 campaign in which he established himself as a premier second baseman, while Carroll has shown great resilience, returning quickly from an offseason hand injury to be ready for the opener. The bullpen also faces questions after spring training injuries sidelined key relievers like Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Under manager Dave Roberts, the club has cultivated a roster that combines established superstars with elite international talent and a deep farm system. The organizational focus remains squarely on a historic three-peat, which has not been accomplished in the sport for over two decades.

The heart of the team is an unprecedented offensive core featuring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman. Ohtani is coming off a 2025 season where he continued to redefine modern baseball, while Betts and Freeman provide veteran consistency and high on-base percentages at the top of the order.

The bullpen remains a primary strength, featuring a mix of high-velocity arms and versatile relievers who can handle multiple innings in different game situations.

Diamondbacks at Dodgers Betting Trends

The Dodgers dominated the head-to-head series during the 2025 season, winning 8 of 13 matchups against the Diamondbacks. Los Angeles proved especially strong at home, where they won five of the seven contests played at Dodger Stadium.

Betting trends from the previous season show that the over hit in nine of the thirteen games between these two teams. This high-scoring trend was driven by a Los Angeles offense that averaged over six runs per game against Arizona pitching.

The Diamondbacks struggled as road underdogs in this divisional matchup, losing six of their last eight games in Los Angeles dating back to the end of the 2024 season.

When Gallen starts against the Dodgers, the total score has stayed under the projected line in four of his last six outings.

Diamondbacks at Dodgers Bookmaker Best Bets

Wise Guys suggest the best side bet is the Dodgers on the run line at -1.5, which offers better value than the steep moneyline price. This recommendation is supported by the Dodgers' history of winning their last three opening day games.

Sharps point to the under as a viable option, noting that Zac Gallen has a history of limiting high-scoring innings when facing the Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani to record over 1.5 total bases is another frequently cited best bet, given his status as one of the most consistent power hitters in the game.

Main Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Run Line

Over/Under Pick: Under the Total

Player Prop Picks: Shohei Ohtani over 1.5 total bases

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Yankees at Giants Odds ? Netflix March 25

Thursday, March 19, 2026

The New York Yankees travel to face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on March 25, 2026, in the official opening game of the 2026 Major League Baseball season. This matchup is the sole contest on the Wednesday schedule.

Max Fried takes the mound for the Yankees, bringing his reliable left-handed presence to anchor the rotation from the outset. Logan Webb counters for the Giants, a ground-ball specialist who has demonstrated strong command and durability, giving San Francisco a solid edge in the pitching duel at their home park, known for suppressing power.

The Yankees boast a potent lineup led by Aaron Judge, whose power remains a constant threat even in the spacious confines of Oracle Park. Recent trends show New York performing well against San Francisco in head-to-head meetings.

Yet the Giants counter with their own strengths, particularly in pitching depth and home-field advantage, where Oracle Park often plays a factor in keeping balls in the yard.

Get the latest MLB news, check out the current betting lines for the games, and don?t miss the baseball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!

New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants Betting at Bookmaker

The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants open the 2026 Major League Baseball season at Oracle Park. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:05 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The matchup will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees' top players heading into the 2026 season revolve around a core of proven superstars and reliable contributors who drive the team's offensive identity, while the pitching staff rebuilds around health returns and young arms.

Aaron Judge stands unquestionably as the franchise cornerstone and the clear number one talent on the roster, fresh off another MVP-caliber campaign. His combination of elite power, plate discipline, and consistent production makes him the most impactful player in baseball when healthy, anchoring right field and often batting second or third to maximize his at-bats.

On the mound, Max Fried leads as the opening day starter and the most dependable arm available right now with his command consistency and ability to eat innings. The bullpen features high-leverage standouts like Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz, and Tim Hill, who provide swing-and-miss stuff and late-inning reliability.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants enter the 2026 season with a revamped roster emphasizing a blend of high-contact hitting, elite defense, and a sturdy rotation as they aim to contend in the competitive NL West under new manager Tony Vitello and president of baseball operations Buster Posey, who has aggressively pursued upgrades to shift the franchise's direction.

Logan Webb stands as the undisputed number one talent and Opening Day starter, whose elite ground-ball induction command and durability have made him a perennial Cy Young contender, leading the league in innings pitched in recent years, and providing the reliable anchor the rotation desperately needs, especially in the spacious Oracle Park environment.

The bullpen features closer Ryan Walker and setup arms like Erik Miller and Jose Butt? delivering late-inning reliability.

Rafael Devers ranks among the premier offensive forces after his big acquisition, delivering massive left-handed power with the potential for thirty-plus home runs and triple-digit RBI.

Yankees at Giants Betting Trends

The head-to-head series trends between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants heavily favor the Yankees in regular season interleague play. All-time in regular-season games, the Yankees hold a commanding 16-8 advantage over the Giants. In their last ten games overall, the Giants have managed only a 3-7 mark against the Yankees while struggling offensively. The last six games of this series at San Francisco went over the total.

Yankees at Giants Bookmaker Best Bets

Webb's elite ground-ball tendencies and consistency shine in his home park, where the marine layer and dimensions suppress scoring and extra-base hits, giving San Francisco a strong edge.

The under stands out as the stronger play in this opener. Oracle Park consistently plays pitcher-friendly, particularly in night games with cooler conditions and wind factors keeping balls in the yard.

For a player prop, sharps like Aaron Judge over 1.5 total bases.

Main Pick: San Francisco Giants

Over/Under Pick: Under the Total

Player Prop Picks: Aaron Judge Over 1.5 Total Bases

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2026 World Baseball Classic Betting Odds ? FOX Networks March 5-17

Moay, February 23, 2026

The stakes are high yet completely different. The best major league players won?t be donning their MLB team jerseys. Instead, they?ll wear uniforms with their country across their chest, competing with the top players from around the globe.

This is not an exhibition. This is the World Baseball Classic ? the highest-profile international baseball tournament in the world.

In March, 20 teams from around the globe will face off in the sixth edition of the WBC. Japan will enter as the defending champion, while the United States will be seeking revenge after falling short as the runner-up in 2023. There?s little doubt those two powers will once again be among the fiercest competitors in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic ? WBC champions in 2013 ? will look to bounce back after a disappointing first-round exit in the last tournament.

Japan, the United States, and the Dominican Republic are the only three countries to have ever won the World Baseball Classic. The U.S. hasn?t claimed the title since 2017.

Get the latest World Baseball Classic news, check out the current betting lines for the upcoming games, and don?t miss the baseball action, all with the best odds at BookMaker!

Baseball Betting Lines

2026 World Baseball Classic Betting at Bookmaker

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be broadcast exclusively in the U.S. across FOX Sports networks, including FOX, FS1, FS2, and FOX Deportes, with all 47 games available on the FOX Sports App, Tubi, and FOX One. Matches run from March 4-17, 2026, featuring 20 nations with games in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami.

2026 World Baseball Classic Odds to Win

United States -115

Japan +410

Dominican Republic +460

Venezuela +750

All Other Teams +2700 or Higher

2026 World Baseball Classic Top Teams

United States (Pool B ? Houston)

The USA is widely called the strongest Team USA in WBC history, with massive upgrades in pitching (addressing 2023's weaknesses) and a power-loaded lineup. Experts rank them #1.

Key Strengths include an elite starting rotation (best in the tournament), a dominant bullpen, and overwhelming offensive depth. They dominate Pool B odds (-1000+ to win group).

Standout Players for the USA include pitchers Tarik Skubal (back-to-back AL Cy Young), Paul Skenes (recent NL Cy Young), Logan Webb, and Joe Ryan. Hitters include Aaron Judge (captain, multi-time MVP), Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., and Gunnar Henderson.

Gamblers have a strong outlook on the USA and see them primed to avenge their 2023 final loss; their depth makes them resilient in knockout rounds.

Japan (Pool C ? Tokyo, Defending Champions)

Japan is a highly regarded three-time winner (2006, 2009, 2023) with an undefeated pedigree and home advantage at the Tokyo Dome. Some rankings still put them #1 due to history and consistency.

Japan?s Key Strengths include a proven WBC formula?strong pitching, disciplined hitting, and clutch play. Shohei Ohtani (hitting-only) adds a superstar factor.

Standout Players for Japan include pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto (ace), plus NPB standouts. Hitters include Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki, and Munetaka Murakami.

The betting outlook for Japan is as heavy favorites in Pool C. They rarely finish outside the top 3 historically. A rematch with the USA in the final is a popular prediction.

Dominican Republic (Pool D ? Miami)

The Dominican Republic was the 2013 champion, with deep MLB talent, and is often ranked among the top 3. The DR boasts a loaded lineup and solid pitching make them dangerous in a competitive pool.

Key Strengths include power hitting, experience, and balance. They are strong in high-pressure games. Standout Players likely include Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and others (roster heavy with All-Stars).

The gambling outlook shows a slight edge in Pool D over Venezuela; the talent gap could close in knockouts.

Venezuela (Pool D ? Miami)

Venezuela boasts a deep, balanced roster with strong pitching and MLB depth, and it frequently ranks among the top 5.

Key strengths include a versatile lineup and reliable arms; often underrated but capable of upsets.

Standout Players feature a mix of MLB stars (specifics vary, but power and contact hitters are prominent).

The betting outlook sees a tight Pool D battle with DR; value play for a deep run.

2026 World Baseball Classic Best Bets

Team USA boasts an elite roster (Aaron Judge, captain; Tarik Skubal/Paul Skenes, pitching duo; Bryce Harper, etc.). Indeed, it is a deep, loaded roster with sustainability.

Main Pick: USA to Win Outright and in Pool B

Player Prop Picks: Aaron Judge MVP, Shohei Ohtani for Most Home Runs

Best Value Bets: Venezuela-Best Longshot to Win, and Juan Soto for MVP

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2023 World Baseball Classic Preview - Bet on Baseball

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

With Team Dominican Republic, Team USA, and Team Japan pegged as the countries to beat, it's no surprise that the powerhouse trio listed as odds-on favorites emerge from their respective pools.

Even though the betting market has projected them to advance to the single-elimination bracket, we could be in store for some upsets in arguably the most talented International Baseball Tournament ever.

2023 World Baseball Classic Odds

Dominican Republic +200

USA +275, Japan +300

Venezuela +1000

Puerto Rico +1100

Korea Republic +1200

Mexico +2000

Cuba +2500

Chinese Taipei +5000

Canada +5000

Netherlands +6500

Australia +13000

Colombia +13000

Israel +15000

Italy +15000

Panama +15000

Great Britain +20000

Nicaragua +20000

China +20000

Czech Republic +50000

2023 World Baseball Classic Top Contenders

Team Cuba +2500

While Cuba hasn't had much success in the WBC, it's in a favorable part of the bracket that should reach at least the eight-team, single-elimination round.

White Sox stars Luis Robert and Yoan Moncada headline the roster, and ex-MLBer Yoenis Cespedes is also back on the big stage. A good chunk of the roster plays their professional ball in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, with three of their better pitchers, Yariel Rodriguez, Radiel Martinez, and Livan Moinelo, hailing from the NPB. It makes sense to see Cuba listed as the team to beat, but Team Netherlands could give them a run for their money.

Team Japan +300

The two-time World Champions get to play their first-round games at the Tokyo Dome, and with a roster that's got depth all over the field, it's likely Samurai Japan takes care of business on their home soil.

Manager Hideki Kuriyama's 30-man squad includes MLB stars Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish and 2022 breakouts Lars Nootbaar and Seiya Suzuki. Samurai Japan has a loaded pitching staff that consists of NPB stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki.

Yamamoto's won two consecutive MVPs, his latest coming after throwing 193 innings with a 1.68 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. Sasaki also threw the first perfect game in NPB in 28 years with 19 strikeouts.

Outside of the 2021 AL MVP and '22 runner-up Ohtani, newly signed Red Sox outfielder, Masataka Yoshida, provides a disciplined, top-of-the-order bat with some pop. Nootbar's making history as the first player born outside the country to play for Team Japan, but his mother hails from Japan. Between their pitching depth and well-rounded lineup, Samurai Japan has a real chance to win their third WBC title in five tries.

Team USA +275

Team USA is priced with the second-highest odds to win the WBC behind the Dominican Republic, and another deep run in the WBC is the expectation for Mark DeRosa's squad. Their pitching staff isn't as top-heavy as the Dominican Republic and Japan. Still, Lance Lynn, Miles Mikolas, Adam Wainwright, Brady Singer, and Merrill Kelly highlight a well-rounded starting rotation. The back of the bullpen should be lights out in pool play, with Daniel Bard, David Bednar, Ryan Pressly, and Devin Williams holding down late-inning leads.

The lineup is loaded 1-9 with Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Kyle Tucker roaming the outfield. While Trea Turner, Pete Alonso, Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Tim Anderson, Jeff McNeil, and Bobby Witt Jr. make up arguably the most talented US infield. Catchers J.T. Realmuto and Will Smith round out the star-studded Team USA roster.

Team Dominican Republic +200

The DR has zero weaknesses, with a starting infield that will likely consist of Manny Machado, Jeremy Pena, Wander Franco, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The outfield is just as talented with Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, and Teoscar Hernandez, while their pitching staff led by 2022 NL Cy Young Sandy Alcantara, Cristian Javier, Gregory Soto, and Rafael Montero is going to lockdown offenses. Team Dominican Republic has too much talent to list all its contributors, but the betting market has correctly identified them as the team to beat.

Team Korea +1200

MLB infielders Ha-Seong Kim and Tommy Edman will provide solid defense up the middle and likely hit toward the top of the lineup. Current Kiwoom Heroes outfielder Jung-Hoo Lee is set to be posted after the upcoming KBO season and should stabilize the middle of the order. KBO stars Jeong Choi, Baek-Ho Kang, and Eui-ji Yang can have a productive tournament at the plate to help Team Korea push through to the second round.

Former Cardinals starter Kwang-Hyun Kim is the most notable pitcher on the staff, but lefthander Chang-Mo Koo has just as impressive of an arsenal. Team Korea has to rely on rolling lots of ground balls for their infield, and we'll see if they have enough swing-and-miss stuff to post a good enough strikeout rate to make a run.

Team Puerto Rico +1100

Puerto Rico finished as the runner-up in the past two WBCs. But this year, making it past the pool play round will be as challenging as ever. Infield duo Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez will do their best to help Puerto Rico compete with the DR and Venezuela, and while the roster is loaded with current MLB talent, it has a brutal draw that's pegged it as the third-best team in Pool D.

Team Venezuela +1000

Venezuela's infield of Jose Altuve, Luis Arraez, Miguel Cabrera, Andres Gimenez, and Eugenio Suarez has a boatload of talent. At the same time, their outfield of Ronald Acuna Jr., David Peralta, and Anthony Santander can hold their own. Venezuela also has a bevy of impressive arms consisting of Ranger Suarez, Pablo Lopez, German Marquez, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Jose Alvarado.

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2024 College World Series Odds and Picks

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

The field for the 2024 College World Series is a bit skewed with only two conferences represented among the eight teams. And there?s a good chance we have a first time baseball national champion with six programs vying for their first title. Oddsmakers have the Texas AM Aggies and Tennessee Volunteers as the favorites to win the tournament, though it?s really up for grabs. The 2024 College World Series starts on June 14 and runs through no later than June 24 with all games played at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.

Considering how good Texas AM and Tennessee are and have been throughout the season it isn?t a surprise to see them as the betting favorites. Toss in the Kentucky Wildcats, who finished with the same conference record of 22-8 as the No. 1 seed Vols and the SEC has a real good shot at winning a national championship. A feel good story out of Omaha would be to see Florida State finally win a title. The Seminoles are making their 24th appearance in the CWS and they?ve come away empty handed each time. No other school has more than 12 trips without a championship.

2024 College World Series Odds

Texas AM Aggies +225

Tennessee Volunteers +275

Kentucky Wildcats +425

North Carolina Tar Heels +600

Florida State Seminoles +900

Virginia Cavaliers +1000

Florida Gators +1300

NC State Wolfpack +1400

The Field

Like I mentioned it?s an interesting collection of teams with four from the SEC and four from the ACC. And only Florida and Virginia among the squads have won a CWS championship. Boasting the best record in college baseball, Tennessee enters as the No. 1 seed, though early futures odds had them behind Texas AM as the favorite. The Vols dominated the Knoxville Regional winning all three games by a combined score of 33-12. A loss to Evansville in Game 2 of the Super Regional may have been what they needed to keep their head straight. The Vols responded with a 12-1 trouncing to punch their ticket.

Tennessee is about as balanced a team as you?ll find in college baseball. Led by Blake Burke, who?s hitting .376, the Vols hit .310 as a team and average 9.2 runs. Three different players have hit at least 20 home runs with Christian Moore leading the way with 32 and a team high 71 RBIs. The pitching is equally strong, which is a huge factor when playing a lot of games in a short amount of time. The staff boasts a 3.85 ERA with closer Aaron Combs one of the best. He has 54 strikeouts in 37.1 innings with five saves and a 2.65 ERA.

The Aggies have a potent offense as well averaging 8.8 runs while hitting .300. In their only meeting with Tennessee the Aggies lost 7-4 in the SEC Tournament. The trio of Braden Montgomery, Jace LaViolette and Gavin Grahovac combined for 77 home runs. The staff isn?t as deep as Tennessee?s but they have an ace in Ryan Prager, who is 8-1 with a 3.10 ERA.

Kentucky went undefeated in the regional tournaments winning five games by a combined score of 34-11. Over the last four games they allowed just three runs with two shutouts. They are making their first trip to the CWS but I doubt that gets in their way. UK matched SEC champ Tennessee?s 22-8 league record and has plenty of momentum heading into the CWS.

The biggest surprise is Florida reaching the CWS with a record of 34-28. The Gators were a .500 team in mid-May and got a regional bid with a 28-27 record. They emerged from the losers bracket to beat Oklahoma State twice in the Stillwater Regional and swept Clemson to advance to the CWS. It?s hard to see them doing any damage with a team ERA of 6.16, but they have one of the most exciting players in Jac Caglianone, who?s hitting .411 with 33 home runs and a 1.392 OPS.

With Oregon State out of the picture maybe North Carolina can get over the hump. The Heels lost to OSU in the 2006 and 2007 CWS finals and were eliminated by the Beavers in their last trip to Omaha in 2018. The ACC champs went 22-8 in ACC play behind an offense that averages 8.7 runs. They also have strong pitching which might be enough to get the job done.

Check out the latest odds at BookMaker

College World Series Odds ? Michigan Wolverines vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Final Series Preview

Moay, June 24, 2019

Neither the Michigan Wolverines nor the Vanderbilt Commodores have faced a loss yet in this College World Series, blowing through the competition, but something must give on Monday when these two teams kick off a three-game series to determine the national champions. We will see if either team can continue through this College World Series undefeated, both bringing plenty of momentum to their head-to-head battle.

First pitch for the final series between Michigan and Vanderbilt is slated to begin on Monday, June 24, 2019, at 7 p.m. ET at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha with the next two games, if necessary, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each game of this series will be shown on ESPN.

You can bet on College World Series odds at BookMaker.eu.

Odds Analysis

Vanderbilt is the favorite and was the top ranked team heading to Omaha, but the overall No.1 team in the nation, UCLA, was knocked off in the Super Regionals by Michigan. Can the Wolverines do it again?

Michigan?s been red hot. They blew through Texas Tech 15-3 to clinch a trip to the Finals and held the opposition to just six runs over three games in Omaha. Vanderbilt?s win on Friday was much closer, edging out Louisville, 3-2. They allowed six runs against the opponents in three games during the College World Series, too.

Both teams breezed through the competition, even going back to the Regionals and Super Regionals rounds.

For the Wolverines, they came out of the Regionals of reigning champions, Oregon State, and then handled their business against UCLA thanks to outstanding pitching.

The Commodores, meanwhile, did get a test against Duke in the Super Regionals, losing the opener, 5-18, but came back from the blowout in a big way.

Pitching Comparison

The Wolverines? strength is on the mound and primarily in the starting rotation. The team goes three-deep in excellent starters with Tommy Henry, Karl Kauffman, and Jeff Criswell.

Kauffman kicked off the College World Series for the Wolverines with seven innings of three-run ball against Texas Tech, recording the win while Criswell pitched the final two innings, allowing just one hit and holding the Red Raiders scoreless.

Tommy Henry then followed that up with a complete-game shutout over Florida State with 10 strikeouts, three hits and no walks. And, in the clincher against Texas Tech, Kauffman came back with another quality start and Criswell, notched another save.

On the season, Criswell had the best ERA of the three starters at 2.60, though he was a bit walk-prone, but ended up 7-1 with a 1.29 WHIP in 100.1 innings. Kauffman, meanwhile, was 12-6 with a 2.75 ERA and 1.08 WHIP while Henry had a 3.27 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, both eclipsing 100 innings as well.

In the pen, Michigan does have Isaiah Paige and Willie Weiss as effective options, along with a few others, but none have gotten a chance in Omaha. Overall, this team has a 3.40 ERA and 1.24 WHIP.

Purely by the numbers, it would seem Michigan has the edge on the mound. Vanderbilt has a 3.83 ERA as a team although competition plays a factor.

Mason Hickman, Patrick Raby, Kumar Rocker, and Drake Fellows are all excellent starting options. The latter has the highest ERA at 4.15 but has 104 innings and 120 strikeouts. He has great swing-and-miss stuff if he?s able to command it.

Overall, the four-some combined to go 40-7 on the year with Hickman and Raby boasting sub-3 ERAs and Rocker, arguably, the best of the bunch. After all, he threw a no-hitter against Duke in the Super Regionals, walking just two batters and striking out 19 a day after the Blue Devils scored 18 runs.

Here in Omaha, Rocker threw six innings of one-run ball against Mississippi State, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out six.

Drake Fellows and Mason Hickman had the other two starts with Patrick Raby pitching in relief. Fellows threw seven innings of one-run ball against Louisville while Hickman held the Cardinals scoreless in a two-hit, six-inning performance prior to that.

Out of the pen, Tyler Brown has appeared in all three games in Omaha. The closer has great stuff and 58 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. He has a 2.59 ERA and 14 saves.

Offensive Breakdown

Vanderbilt has the best offense despite the 15-run onslaught by Michigan on Friday.

The Commodores have J.J. Bleday as the lynchpin in the order. The slugging outfielder was a top-5 draft pick for a reason. He?s got a .350/.464/.717 slash line with 26 homers. He?s a threat to go deep?or at least do damage?each time he steps in the box.

As good as Bleday is, the thing that makes Vanderbilt most dangerous is the depth in the lineup. Austin Martin is an on-base machine atop the order with an OBP over .500. He also offers speed to cause a distraction on the bases.

After him, there?s Bleday then a cast of .300 hitters and power options. The team has five regulars hitting over .300?including Martin?s .410 mark?and all nine starters posting an OBP of at least .244. There?s no easy out in this order. On top of that, Julian Infante, Stephen Scott, and Ethan Paul, amongst others, all offer power both in homers and doubles.

The lineup has .318 average and has hit 93 homers. By comparison, the Michigan offense has a .283 average and 72 long balls.

There is some speed and power, but the contact isn?t as good as Vanderbilt though Jordan Brewer and Jordan Nwogu are hitting .329 and .326 respectively, each with a dozen homers.

In the big win over Texas Tech on Friday, this team was clicking on all cylinders with 15 runs on 14 hits and 12 walks. The team showed an excellent batting eye and patience. Jimmy Kerr was 4-for-6 while Jesse Franklin, Blake Nelson, and Jack Blomgren all had multi-hit games as well.

MLB Pick

It?s hard to underestimate the Vanderbilt offense, but Michigan is rolling and their starters have been lights out.

The Wolverines have already proved themselves in a three-game series against UCLA, coming away with the win.

If the Commodores can get into the bullpen, they?ll have a chance as the arms there could be rusty, but the offense has been playing beyond the numbers since the start of the tournament and the Wolverines have surprised every step of the way. This is a team that has the momentum and the confidence right now to do what, just a few weeks ago, seemed impossible.

Vanderbilt may have been the favorites all along, but Michigan is showing something in this tournament and in a three-game series, it?s not always the best team on paper, but the team that?s playing the best right now. Take Michigan over Vanderbilt in this series at BookMaker.eu.

MLB Odds: Michigan in three

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