Super Regional Storylines

Rain could play a factor as the Carolinas have rain forecasted for Friday which would impact games in Chapel Hill and Raleigh. The worst case is the games get started and a starting pitcher is burned. Every effort will be made to get the games in Friday so we might have a deal where all four games Friday are going on concurrently.

If rain impacts the Friday matchups, one would expect that to favor North Carolina after they used all three of the weekend starters Monday in the thrilling victory over Florida Atlantic. An extra day off would not sadden the Tar Heels.

North Carolina had been dominant at home much of the season but down the stretch showed some vulnerability. Can a team like South Carolina with several key veterans with loads of postseason experience be the team to take advantage? The Gamecocks have been the CWS finals the last three seasons. New head coach Chad Holbrook was an assistant on those teams. This is his first game against the Tar Heels since joining the Gamecock staff from a similar post in Chapel Hill.

NC State and Rice should put on a pitching show for us as Carlos Rodon (9-2/3.19/161K in 110 IP) takes on Austin Kubitza (8-4/2.02/126 K in 102 IP) in what figures to be a quick contest.

The LSU-Oklahoma series opener should be special. The Tigers look to put last year's Stony Brook debacle behind them as Aaron Nola (11-0/1.82/111 K/109 IP) takes the hill. They will have to deal with Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray (10-2/1.92/138 K/109 IP) who was drafted third overall by Colorado Thursday.

The other Friday game could be just as good as UCLA visits Cal State Fullerton. The Bruins will go with Adam Plutko (8-3/2.51/75 K/104 IP) against the Titans' Justin Garza (12-0/1.92/89 K/108 IP).

Virginia didn't score much winning their Regional last week but they didn't have to since they pitched so well. They'll likely need to score a little more to handle Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have a deep pitching staff of their own. Can they win a road series over the sixth National seed? They lost series against LSU, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Ole Miss but did win the season finale at home against South Carolina.

Louisville and Vanderbilt figure to give us a track meet. Vandy has 132 stolen bases while Louisville has 147. Both teams have deep lineups and talented premium arms on the pitching staff. They are as similar as any two teams left playing.

Like Virginia, Oregon State pitched superb but didn't light up the scoreboard in Regional play. They take on a Kansas State squad that can score. The Wildcats survived a Regional with a similar team in Arkansas.

Florida State has been so good at home this year and rolled through the Regionals. Indiana is the newbie to this postseason stuff. Can they handle the big moment in front of the Animals and arms like Luke Weaver (7-2/1.95/114 K/92 IP).

The Picks

South Carolina over North Carolina

Vanderbilt over Louisville

Kansas State over Oregon State

LSU over Oklahoma

Cal State Fullerton over UCLA

Virginia over Mississippi State

Florida State over Indiana

NC State over Rice