Bracket 1
UC Irvine
ISR: 22
Scouting Report: The Anteaters are more Texas than the Horns – in other words, this team plays small ball and manufactures runs with almost no extra base hits at all. They get creative and shift on defense a lot, but are excellent in the field and on the mound.
Their road to Omaha: Beat the No. 1 overall seed in their own park twice when they won the Corvallis Regional, then went to Stillwater and beat Oklahoma State in consecutive games.
They’re in the CWS Final if…they play from ahead. Even if it’s only one run, this team is built on pitching a defense and has the ability to make a single run the difference in a game.
Projected first week: 1-2 – The Anteaters will send Louisville packing in an elimination game, but won’t be among the last four standing at TD Ameritrade.
Texas
ISR: 5
Scouting Report: Not the best pitching, bullpen, offense or defense in Omaha, but this is an extremely confident bunch. The one thing on this team that is the “best of†for the Horns is their coach – Augie Garrido knows how to win this tournament.
Their road to Omaha: Built emotion and confidence in wins over Rice and A&M at the Houston Regional and leveraged that psychological boost into back-to-back wins over Houston in the Supers.
They’re in the CWS Final if…they continue to believe in themselves and each other.
Projected first week: 3-1 – A replay of the Houston regional – a win over UCI in the opener and again in a winner’s bracket game, but then dropping one before winning a decisive game to go to the Finals.
Vanderbilt
ISR: 6
Scouting Report: This isn’t the most talented Vanderbilt team in the last 5 years, but they’re very balanced in all phases. The Commodores aren’t going to Wow anyone with their season stats, but they don’t do anything poorly. Vanderbilt loves to pressure a team by stealing bases.
Their road to Omaha: Vandy didn’t drop a game in the Nashville Regional. The Commodores lost a game to Stanford in Super Regional play.
They’re in the CWS Final if…they find consistency and an emotional boost. Vandy doesn’t lack much, but needs a little extra help in order to emerge from Bracket 1.
Projected Outcome: 3-2 – Vanderbilt wins the loser’s bracket and then beats Texas in the first game of the bracket finals, but that’s as much noise as they make.
Louisville
ISR: 20
Scouting Report: Louisville is built on power pitching and athleticism. Their team size, speed and strength show up on the base paths, in the batter’s box and on defense. On the mound, they have an embarrassing abundance of guys that can throw gas.
Their road to Omaha: Louisville wasn’t seriously challenged in either the Regional or Super Regional they hosted. After sending home their in-state rival, UK, in the first round, the Cardinals then ended the Cinderella story of Kennesaw State in Super Regional play.
They’re in the CWS Final if…they’re ready to elevate their game. Playing in the AAC, and a Super Regional against Kennesaw State is not on par with games against the other 7 teams in Omaha.
Projected first week: 0-2 – Somebody has to go 2 and Que. Any team from North of the Mason-Dixon line and East of the Mississippi River is normally a safe bet for an early exit.
http://image1.stadiumjourney.com/images/stadiums/919_1cc2e64c7067bc5495cb1ec011743dd4976d6770.jpg
photo credit: stadiumjourney.com
Bracket 2
Texas Tech
ISR: 12
Scouting Report: Texas Tech has improved throughout the season. Their pitching has stolen the postseason show for them. Even though the offense has been quiet during Regional and Super Regional play, the Red Raiders always seem to produce a run when needed.
Their road to Omaha: The Red Raiders won the Coral Gables Regional and their Super Regional against College of Charleston thanks to unbelievable starting pitching.
They’re in the CWS Final if…their pitching stays hot. This is pretty simple – Tech has only allowed four runs in six postseason games. If that kind of dominance continues, the Red Raiders will contend.
Projected first week: 0-2 – Their inexperience will catch up to them in Omaha. It’s been a great run, but the other seven teams at the CWS aren’t a No. 4 seed (College of Charleston).
TCU
ISR: 4
Scouting Report: Longhorn fans are familiar with the Horned Frogs – there’s no need to tell you that they excel in all areas. TCU has no real weakness and enters the tournament as one of the favorites to win it all. The only question is whether their MLB draftees are affected by being picked.
Their road to Omaha: One of only two national seeds to make it to Omaha, TCU cruised through the Fort Worth Regional with a 3-0 record. The Horned Frogs then hosted Pepperdine in the Supers and needed a two-run rally in the 9th inning of the decisive game to advance to the CWS.
They’re in the CWS Final if…they don’t get cute. Players and teams feel pressure to go ‘above and beyond’ when they get to Omaha. Most that press themselves end up playing at a level beneath their capability. TCU needs to trust their abilities and not fall into this trap.
Projected first week: 3-1 – Welcome to the Finals, Frogs. They’ll drop their second or third game along the way, but emerge from Bracket 2.
Virginia
ISR: 8
Scouting Report: Virginia has no real weaknesses as a team. They are the outright favorites for good reason. The main question for UVA fans is whether they have enough pitching depth to win it all.
Their road to Omaha: The Cavaliers were test in both rounds of postseason play, but answered the bell repeatedly. Maryland proved particularly tricky in the Super Regional round, but UVA slowly squelched that fire.
They’re in the CWS Final if…they play from the winner’s bracket. Virginia has the talent to win it all, especially if they don’t play any extra games and get quality starts from the pitching staff.
Projected first week: 3-2 – Virginia will win a game in the bracket finals before finally succumbing to TCU in a decisive game to go to the finals.
Mississippi
ISR: 7
Scouting Report: Ole Miss is a veteran team that does everything well. There aren’t elite draft picks on their roster, so their preseason pick to finish 6th in the SEC West suited them fine and allowed them to play underdogs all season.
Their road to Omaha: Hosted a Regional and beat Washington in the finals. Then went to Lafayette, dropped the first game against ULaLa and rebounded to win two straight.
They’re in the CWS Final if…they can relax and just play baseball. Ole Miss struggled for years to get over the Super Regional hump and make it to the CWS. Now that they’re in Omaha, the tendency will be to try to do too much.
Projected first week: 1-2 – The Rebels will not be an easy out in any game and will account for themselves well. Their first CWS in over 30 years will be memorable, but it won’t include a trip to the Finals.
