College World Series 2018: Bracket Predictions, Start Times for Friday Schedule
The College World Series field is down to five teams, and it will be trimmed to four by the time Thursday's action comes to a close.
Mississippi State and Oregon State have advanced to the finals on one side of the bracket, with the Bulldogs holding the upper hand after a 2-0 start to the double-elimination format.
On the other side of the bracket, Arkansas is awaiting the winner of Thursday's game between Florida and Texas Tech.
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Ahead is a full breakdown of all of Friday's action.
Schedule
Mississippi State vs. Oregon State
When: 3 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN
Prediction: Oregon State
Arkansas vs. Florida/Texas Tech
When: 8 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN
Prediction: Arkansas
Analysis
Oregon State is in an interesting position from a pitching standpoint.
Bryce Fehmel and Kevin Abel both pitched four innings on Monday, while Luke Heimlich earned the start on Wednesday and went 2.2 innings.
With the season on the line, it's hard to imagine the Beavers will turn to anyone outside of that trio, but none of them will be on full rest.
After an 8-6 loss in the first game at the College World Series, OSU has piled up 25 runs over the past two games.
Mississippi State will likely turn to Ethan Smalls (17 GS, 5-3, 2.89 ERA, 117 K, 96.2 IP) on the mound, and he was brilliant his last time out, allowing four hits over seven scoreless innings against Washington.
That would leave ace Konnor Pilkington available should the Beavers win and force a decisive game on Saturday.
The Bulldogs have also been firing on all cylinders of late offensively, beating North Carolina 12-2 in their last game.
The second game's matchup is not yet decided.
Arkansas beat Texas and Texas Tech to open the College World Series and advance to the bracket finals unbeaten.
Isaiah Campbell (15 GS, 4-6, 4.19 ERA, 65 K, 62.1 IP) is the likely starter for the Razorbacks, as they've followed a consistent three-man rotation with him in the No. 3 spot behind Blaine Knight and Kacey Murphy.
If Florida advances and if Brady Singer is not used in relief on Thursday night, the ace would be next up in the Gators rotation. As for Texas Tech, it would be an all-hands-on-deck situation with Dylan Dusek potentially earning the start.
At any rate, with their two top pitchers both on full rest for a potential third game, Arkansas is in a great position to punch their ticket to the finals.
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