2008 CWS

[Mr. Poon]

2008 College World Series

Futures ? I think Rice (+785) and UNC (+270) have the most favorable odds going for them in my opinion, even if they are in the same bracket. Both teams are well balanced and are very heavily experienced with being in Omaha for the CWS. Also the two toughest offenses (Miami and FSU) are in the other bracket, so whichever of these two makes it through to the final series, their pitching staff will likely be more rested than their opposition. And given the fact that I think both of these teams have the two best staffs, I like either team against the winner of the other bracket in the best of 3 final series.

Miami is the clear-cut favorite and prices on them for the whole title and individual games are going to be extremely pricing. They are +173 to win it all and are -310 in their opening game against Georgia. Not much you can find at fault with this team though, and that is the reason for the hefty prices. Their starting pitching drops off after their #1 Hernandez, so that maybe the thing that keeps them from winning it all. 5dimes does have them at -110 to make the final series which is a pretty good bet in my mind.

Bets:
Miami to win their bracket -110 ? 2 units
Rice to win it all +785 ? 1 unit
UNC to win it all +270 ? 2 units

 

[Mr. Poon]

Saturday?s Games:

Don?t have a strong opinion in the Stanford/FSU game. Bleich (0.92 era) is a really good pitcher for Stanford taken at the end of the 1st round of the draft by the Yanks. However, he is only starting to get back to 100% after being injured for almost the whole year. It will be interesting to see if he can contain the powerful FSU bats. Most of Stanford?s power hitters are lefties, so FSU pitching lefty sophomore Matt Fairel (3.74 era) is a good move. Fairel has done well in big games this year with the exception of a rough outing against Miami. Tough to determine who will make it out of this game, so I?m staying away.

Miami/Georgia - thought about the Under (13.5) in this one, but Georgia?s pitching has been shaky down the stretch. Trevor Holder (4.34 era) is starting for Georgia and he hasn?t been very good in his recent outings, and those Miami bats are better than any he?s faced all year. On the other hand Miami?s standout freshman Chris Hernandez, 2.62 era, (who?s earned wins against FSU and UNC this season) should be able to easily handle the Bulldogs.

Miami on the Runline (-1.5) -160 to win 2 units.

 

[Mr. Poon]

Sunday?s Games:

Rice/Fresno ? Big underdogs always have the crowd behind them in Omaha, however, they just have never really fared too well in the CWS. I think Fresno?s magical run (first ever #4 regional seed to advance to the CWS) comes to a halt in the opening game. Starters haven?t been officially announced, but it is assumed Wilson will go for Fresno (4.51 era, 88 k?s, 55 bb?s in 104 IP) and face Rice?s #1 Berry (3.31 era, 85 k?s, 28 bb?s in 101 IP). Rice played the minimum amount of games in their regional and super-regional and are well rested as they didn?t have to travel for either. Fresno has been on the road the last 4 weeks and I think it catches up to them in Omaha as they will likely be a 2-and-done teams.

Rice on the Runline (-1.5) -125 to win 2 units.


UNC/LSU ? Tough to go against a team that has won 25 of their last 26, but as previously noted I think UNC will compete for the title and shouldn?t have any issues with their opening game. LSU is hot right now and a really good offensive team. However, that offense has really had to bail them out during that long winning streak with bunches of runs and some big time comebacks. I just don?t think the LSU offense will be able to generate much against UNC and Alex White (probable starter, 2.75 era, 101 k?s, 38 bb?s in 88 IP).

UNC on the Runline (-1.5) +110 1 unit.

sorry, originally wrote LSU for some reason, but from my write-up it is obvious I'm on the Tar heels.