College World Series 2017: Bracket Predictions, Times for Wednesday's Schedule
After makings its first cuts, the College World Series will evict another contestant Wednesday.
Florida State avoided elimination Monday, but it must fight again to remain in Omaha, Nebraska. Following their victory over Cal State Fullerton, the Seminoles will play another must-win bout against LSU, who suffered its first loss of the tournament against Oregon State.
While the loser leaves, the winner than faces a precarious predicament, needing to beat the 56-4 Beavers twice to make the championship series. Let's look ahead to Wednesday's elimination clash.
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Wednesday Schedule
Florida State vs. LSU: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Preview
Days after their thrilling opening showdown, Florida State and LSU meet again.
The Seminoles nearly ended the Tigers' 16-game winning streak, but the SEC powerhouse orchestrated an eighth-inning rally. Despite prevailing, LSU coach Paul Mainieri did not compliment his team's performance to SEC Country's Nick Suss.
“It was a little bit of a bizarre game,” Mainieri said. “I thought that our team didn’t really play that great, at least not up to our potential. And yet we somehow still found a way to win, which is really encouraging for us.”
Florida State turned the tables Monday, scoring three runs in the seventh to attain a 6-4 win over Cal State Fullerton. The ACC program must now avenge its loss to LSU, who could not muster any offense (or defense) against the top-seeded Oregon State.
Mainieri was forced to tax his bullpen in Monday's 13-1 loss once starter Eric Walker left after two innings. Even if they survive the Seminoles, the Tigers will face a huge uphill battle beating the Beavers twice if the freshman isn't available.
Walker's short outing could also cause collateral damage for Wednesday's win-or-go-home game. Mainieri used seven relievers but stayed away from Jared Poche, who tossed 2.2 scoreless relief innings in Saturday's victory over Florida State.
Per SEC Network, he tied a school record while serving an unaccustomed role:
The pressure is on whoever starts following the bullpen's woeful performance against the Beavers. Unless LSU uses Alex Lange on three days' rest, the senior southpaw should return to the rotation to face the Seminoles' streaking lineup.
Florida State has scored 61 runs in its last eight games, during which it only lost to LSU. Third baseman Dylan Busby, who drove in three runs against the Tigers, is hitting 11-for-33 with three doubles, a triple and two home runs during that stretch.
After unraveling against Oregon State, LSU is fortunate to have another chance. Florida State squandered a late lead in their weekend matchup by committing three errors in a single play, and that was seven innings after allowing Antoine Duplantis to score on a second-base steal.
Neither team has played inspired baseball in Omaha, but their first encounter nonetheless entertained. The latter part shouldn't change with the stakes even higher.
Prediction
LSU hadn't lost since May 9 until getting bludgeoned by Oregon State. Florida State fumbled a College World Series victory before escaping with another. Yet these are still two of the nation's premier squads.
Losing to an unstoppable juggernaut shouldn't derail the Tigers' momentum. Walker's exit stacked the deck against them, and the Beavers relinquish runs as often as a desert sees rain.
Seeking his first title in 38 years as Florida State's head coach, Mike Martin should receive a cleaner effort from his players in Wednesday's rematch. Although he makes the Seminoles the sentimental choice, the Tigers' dominance en route to Omaha is too impressive to ignore.
LSU advances in another intense affair, this time winning because of its own offensive prowess. Just don't expect better luck the second time around against Oregon State.
Prediction: LSU 6, Florida State 5
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