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There are only two months left until the 2024 season in college baseball, but the SEC has the lead.
In the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll, the Arkansas Razorbacks are in first place with an overall record of 19-3. It’s a hot start, a year after missing out on the College World Series despite winning the regular-season SEC title. They are one of seven teams in the conference in the top 10 in the polls and one of four SEC teams in the top five in College World Series (CWS) odds.
A team ranked highly in the first few months of play does not necessarily indicate a top contender for the CWS. There’s still a lot of season left, but a few teams are standing out early.
After nearly two months of play, here’s how college baseball teams are ranked based on winning odds provided by BetMGM.
Last month’s ranking:College baseball teams ordered by odds of winning the 2024 College World Series
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T-1. LSU (+900)
Before: 2 (+800)
LSU’s odds have fallen since last month after losing a close game to Xavier in early March and dropping a series with unranked Mississippi State to open conference play in Starkville, including a mercy rule loss.
Even though the odds were lower, the efforts of other teams were able to move them up the odds board. On Sunday, the Tigers will play a rubber match against fellow SEC powerhouse Florida. LSU won the first game on Friday, but lost 6-4 on Saturday in the 11th inning.
T-1. Arkansas (+900)
Before: T-3 (+1000)
Arkansas’ pitching staff continued to dominate throughout March, helping propel the Razorbacks to the top of the odds leaderboards and the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
Starting pitchers Hagen Smith and Brady Tygart each have maintained ERAs under 2.00 through six starts. Both have undefeated records, with Smith tied for second in NCAA Division I baseball with 62 strikeouts. Reliever Will McIntyre also appeared in 11 games (28 2/3 innings), posting an impressive 1.57 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and only three walks.
3. Wake Forest (+1000)
Before: 1 (+700)
Wake Forest, which played in last year’s CWS, was the favorite to win last month, but has struggled in March. The Demon Deacons opened the ACC by dropping back-to-back series against Duke and Virginia, and most recently lost to Louisville 7-3 in the series finale.
Third baseman Adam Tellier, a graduate transfer, currently leads the team with a .372 average, 1.227 OPS, and nine home runs.
T-4. Florida (+1300)
Previously: T-3 (+1000)
The Gators opened March with a series win over in-state rival Miami, also won a series against top-10 team Texas A&M, and will play reigning champion LSU in a rubber match on Sunday.
Jack Carianone continues to dominate college baseball as a two-way player. He leads Gators hitters with a .404 average, 1.220 OPS, and 10 home runs. He also has a 1.77 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in four starts, which leads all Florida starting pitchers and has started two fewer games than leader Cade Fisher’s 42 strikeouts. Despite this, he ranks second on the team with 34 strikeouts.
T-4. Tennessee (+1300)
Previously: 5 (+1500)
The Vols started March with 10 straight wins. They lost back-to-back SEC openers to Alabama, but have since won two in a row and hit five home runs in Sunday’s softball game against Ole Miss Tennessee, leading 15-3 into the fifth inning at the time of writing. There is.
Seven of Tennessee’s batters have had at least 20 at-bats and batted above .300. Leading them all is outfielder Caballes Tears, who entered Sunday with a .387 average, 1.222 OPS, and seven home runs. He hit another round-tripper in the first inning of the series finale against Ole Miss.
College baseball notes:Series win over Wake Forest gives upstart Duke its best start since 2008.
T-6. Texas A&M (+1500)
T-6. Oregon (+1500)
8. Duke (+1800)
9. Vanderbilt (+2000)
10.TCU (+2200)
T-11. Clemson (+2500)
T-11. East Carolina (+2500)
T-13. Virginia (+3000)
T-13. South Carolina (+3000)
T-13. Florida (+3000)
16. Alabama (+3500)
T-17. Texas (+4000)
T-17. North Carolina (+4000)
T-19. North Carolina (+5000)
T-19. Dallas Baptist (+5000)
MLB News:Orioles sends MLB’s No. 1 prospect Jackson Holiday to the minor leagues
When is the 2024 College World Series?
The 2024 college baseball postseason will begin with regional competition from May 31st to June 3rd. The Super Regionals will be held June 7-9 or June 8-10.
College World Series games will begin between the qualifying teams on June 14th, with the finals to be held June 22nd-23rd or 24th.
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