Is Tennessee Baseball The College World Series Favorite With ?
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The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the best teams in college baseball this season and are now the favorite to win the College World Series.
Yes, Tennessee is the favorite
Tennessee is the favorite to win the College World Series. They have a great team and they are playing well. They have a lot of depth and they can hit the ball. They also have a great pitching staff.
They have the best pitcher in the nation
Tennessee has the best pitcher in the nation in their rotation, and that’s a big reason why they’re the favorite to win the College World Series. Freshman right-hander Kumar Rocker has been dominant all season, posting a 10-2 record with a 1.86 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 98 innings. He’s coming off a complete game shutout in the super regional against Mississippi State, and he’ll be fresh and ready to go again on Monday night.
The Vols also have a strong lineup, led by junior third baseman Xavier Edwards. Edwards is hitting .347/.466/.587 with seven home runs, 48 RBI and 32 stolen bases on the season. He’s one of the most dynamic players in the country, and he’ll be a big factor for Tennessee in Omaha.
They have a deep lineup
They have a deep lineup, led by scheming switch-hitter Josh Healey, who does a nice job of getting on base and can also drive the ball into the gaps. 2B/OF Gavin Kyle is another potential leadoff hitter who is extremely disciplined at the plate and has some speed to burn. Richie Martin and JJ Schwarz anchor the middle of the lineup from the left side with a combined 30+ homeruns last year, and despite some concerns about Martin’s defense, both players offer a lot with their bats. Expect big things this season from 3B Ryan McMahon who turned down professional offers after being selected in the 2nd round last year to come back to school. The Florida transfer has an advanced approach at the plate and should provide some much needed power in the heart of this lineup.
They have a great coach
Tennessee has a great coach in Tony Vitello, who has led the team to the College World Series in his first two years at the helm. The Volunteers also have a strong pitching staff, led by Liam Hendriks, who was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series last year.
No, there are other teams that are better
The college world series is always an interesting event to watch. This year, there are a few teams that stand out as potential favorites. However, Tennessee is not one of them. There are other teams that are better suited for the title of favorite.
Vanderbilt has a better pitching staff
Entering the season, the Volunteers had one of the SEC’s top pitching staffs. That has not been the case in 2020. The Vols’ team ERA is 4.50, which ranks 11th in the SEC and their opponents are hitting .276 against them, which is also 11th in the SEC. Tennessee’s bullpen has been a liability at times as well. The Vols have blown eight saves, which is tied for second most in the SEC.
Florida has a more balanced lineup
The top of Florida’s lineup is really, really good. It starts with Deacon Liput, who might be the best pure hitter in college baseball. He’s followed by Austin Langworthy (an excellent athlete with power), Jonathan India (a potential top-five overall pick in next year’s draft), and Nelson Maldonado (a very good hitter with some pop).
LSU has a better coach
No, there are other teams that are better – (Is Tennessee Baseball The College World Series Favorite With ?)
Tennessee might have the raw talent to win the College World Series, but they don’t have the coaching. LSU has a better coach in Paul Mainieri. He has been to Omaha 11 times and has won two national championships.