Can Clemson finally make it out of a regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium? The Tigers have hosted five regionals over the past 11 seasons, and they’re yet to make it to the super regionals.
North Carolina has to be looking longingly at No. 3 seed Texas A&M’s draw. While the Aggies appeared to get a gift-wrapped draw, the Tar Heels got a dogfight at just one seed lower. LSU has a pair of aces, Wofford ranks second nationally in runs and LIU has a strong strikeout pitcher.
When you get a battle of contrasting teams, you’ve got a recipe for a good regional. That’s exactly what we have in Charlottesville, where the host Cavaliers attempt to hit their way past the pitching of Mississippi State and St. John’s.
The trend that’s becoming clear is that both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will have to be otherworldly if the Oilers are going to have a chance in this series. Either that, or Stuart Skinner and the defense have to step up and stop the Stars’ attack. But given Dallas’ performance in 5-on-5, that path looks unlikely.
When you’re one of the top four seeds in the nation, you deserve to have a few advantages. This might have gone a little too far in Texas A&M’s favor.
The short right field porch of O’Brate Stadium is calling Jac Caglianone’s name, and that could make Florida very dangerous in this regional. Meanwhile, Nebraska features the regional’s best pitcher and Niagara has nothing to lose.
This regional seems wide open, especially with both Dallas Baptist and West Virginia boasting plenty of base stealers and quality pitching. Arizona also has a pitching advantage, but the Wildcats faced a soft Pac-12 schedule.
Georgia certainly has the hitters to win the regional, but the Bulldogs’ pitching is very questionable. The same is true of fellow Power 6 school and rival Georgia Tech, whose ERA ranked dead last in the ACC. The best pitching in the regional might belong to North Carolina-Wilmington.
A 2-1 lead gives New York an edge in this series, even if the Rangers haven’t played to their level of expectations. Both of the past two games have resulted in overtime wins for New York, and they’ve survived without help from their power play.