CWS 2015: Predicting Winners and Scores for Friday's NCAA Baseball Bracket
We're down to four teams at the 2015 College World Series, and with the action heating up, we're here to preview the title hopefuls with championship berths on the line.
But first, a quick rundown of the logistics at this late stage in the tournament.
The Florida Gators walloped Miami, 10-2 Wednesday evening, in order to keep their hopes alive. However, the Gators are hardly out of the woods yet. After dropping the Hurricanes, Florida will need to slay the Virginia Cavaliers twice as a function of the double-elimination format in order to clinch a berth in the championship series.
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The same holds true for TCU after its 8-4 victory over LSU Thursday evening. With one loss on their resume, the Horned Frogs will need to conquer the Vanderbilt Commodores in back-to-back contests to advance and face either Florida or Virginia in the final.
If Vanderbilt and Virginia emerge victorious, the powerhouses will meet in the College World Series final for the second straight year.
All of Friday's action can be streamed via WatchESPN.com.
| Florida vs. Virginia | 3 p.m. ET | ESPN2 |
| TCU vs. Vanderbilt | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN |
Florida vs. Virginia
Can Florida exact revenge and stave off elimination?
Four days after accruing just two hits on the Cavaliers, the Gators will be seeking to wield the same hot bats that helped them crush Miami and get to this point.
While Virginia shut out Florida, 1-0, on Monday, it would be silly to discount everything the Gators have to offer at the plate. In four of its past five games, Florida has topped 10 runs—scoring a combined 24 in two games against Florida State and 25 total over two contests versus Miami.
"We got to this place playing loose but doing everything with a purpose," Florida left fielder Harrison Bader said following Wednesday's win, according to NCAA.com's Stephen Sellner. "Practice was exactly the same. I know [coach Kevin O’Sullivan] was—his biggest message was not having a hangover from that tough loss. That’s just part of the game."
But Virginia has represented Florida's kryptonite to this point.
Not only have the Cavaliers won seven straight games dating back to May 29, but the last time they surrendered double figures in the run column was during a 14-10 win over USC in the Lake Elsinore regional on May 31.
Since the start of super regional play, Virginia hasn't allowed more than four runs in a single contest. UVA has also outscored opponents, 6-3, since arriving in Omaha.
According to the Cavaliers, Florida won't be done any favors when it faces one of Virginia's most pristine pitchers Friday afternoon:
While Nathan Kirby hasn't pitched in over two months after suffering a strained left lat in April, he tallied a 5-2 record behind a 2.28 ERA prior to hitting the shelf.
"Brian O'Connor's decision was an interesting strategic one, as Connor Jones would have also been available," SB Nation's Brian Schwartz wrote of Kirby's start. "The upside is that a UVA win allows the team to hold Jones for game 1 of the championship (with Brandon Waddell available in game 2). If there's a game Saturday, Jones would likely be the starter."
Virginia can afford to be aggressive since it's not facing elimination, so don't be surprised if the team's bold decision pays dividends Friday.
Prediction: Virginia 6, Florida 3
TCU vs. Vanderbilt
TCU took care of business Thursday evening, but it may have just delayed the inevitable.
While the Horned Frogs were stellar against LSU, racking up 10 hits and receiving 4.1 innings of perfect relief pitching from Trey Teakell, the Commodores have rest and recent history on their side.
Tuesday, Vanderbilt took down TCU, 1-0, thanks to Zander Wiel's seventh-inning solo home run. As a result, it gained two extra days of rest.
However, TCU can take solace in the fact that its bats have been hotter of late.
"The Commodores have only 11 hits in the two wins, including three in Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over TCU," the Tennessean's Adam Sparks wrote. "It’s gotten the job done so far, but living on the edge can eventually come with a cost."
Since the start of regional play, the Horned Frogs have topped eight runs in seven of their eight wins and outscored LSU, 18-7, over the course of their two clashes.
Based on the outcome of their last duel, it won't be surprising if Vanderbilt and TCU grind out another low-scoring affair.
But if Vandy can provide Wiel with just enough ancillary offense at the plate, the Commodores should be in prime position to set up the College World Series' first national championship rematch since 2007.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 4, TCU 3
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