Gamecocks are the more fundamentally sound of the 2 teams and they have an edge defensively because LSU D looks average at best. Tigers are good up the middle, but imo the Harris brothers are liabilities at the corners and Patterson looks lost in LF. LSU hits from 1-9 and, with few exceptions, everyone can leave the yard. Off the top of my head I can only think of 2 hitters below .300 and one of them, Ivan Nacarata, is swinging a good stick in the postseason
LHP Lane Mestapay is in good form (sub 1.48 era postseason) following a rough early campaign which can be attributed to shoulder surgery last year. Mestapay has tons of postseason experience and is known as a big game pitcher. If he shows any lingering effects from his stiff neck and shoulder resulting from a totally unnecessary pile-up after winning their SuperRegional, Smoke Laval will have to give the ball to Clay Dirks or Justin Meier. I would prefer Dirks because he has performed well in long relief and that would allow Meier to start the next game.
LSU took 2 of 3 from then undefeated Gamecocks this season. Last season at the CWS, LSU went out in 2 including an 11-10 loss to these Cocks. Also worth noting, SEC is a paltry 1-5 so far this CWS. You can be sure that both teams will be fired up this afternoon. It should be a fun one to watch. I'm certain that it will come as no surprise that I like LSU's chances here, although I do not see them going too much further unless Mestapay pitches deep into the game this afternoon.
Tigers +115(CRIS)
